What are the opening and closing dates for applications? 

Please check the website for the current dates for applications. The call for applications opens in February every year. Please check individual deadlines for programs to confirm closing dates. We do not accept any applications outside the announcement cycle.

How many letters of reference/recommendation do I need to submit?

Depending on the grant category, applicants are advised to request two to three referees to complete the letters of reference online by the application due date. Please read the applicant instructions for details.

Who should I ask to provide a Reference/recommendation?

Applicants should ask people who will best support their application and who can objectively assess their ability to successfully undertake a program of research or study in the U.S. and their potential to contribute to the U.S. and India relationship. Where possible the referees should include academic supervisor/s, colleagues and key contacts who can provide relevant information on the applicant’s personal and professional attributes.

If I am employed, do I need my employer’s approval as part of my application?

If you are employed, you are required to route your application through the proper channel. Your application will be considered ineligible without the employer’s endorsement/Letter of Support from Home Institution. The employer must indicate that leave will be granted for the fellowship period. Please obtain the endorsement in the specified format from the appropriate administrative authority. Postdoc candidates working under government-funded projects are required to get an endorsement from their affiliating institutions in India.

For the Fulbright-Nehru Doctoral, Postdoctoral, Academic and Professional Excellence Fellowships, does it help to establish contact with potential U.S. host institutions at the time of application? Is it mandatory?

You will be affiliated to only one U.S. host institution for the entire duration of your grant. USIEF strongly recommends applicants to identify institutions with which they wish to be affiliated and to correspond, in advance, with potential host institutions. If you have secured a letter of invitation from a U.S. institution, please include it as a part of your application. It is not mandatory but highly preferred.

How long does the review process take?

The review process takes three to four months after the application deadline. For the timeline and placement process, please visit the grant specific webpages on our website.

If selected, when can I begin my fellowship in the U.S.?

For the 2026-2027 cycle, most Fulbright fellows will begin their grants in August/September 2026. Depending upon the fellowship category, some fellows could begin in January 2027. 2026-2027 Fulbright-Nehru fellows for non-degree programs have to come into grant status no later than March 31, 2027.

What does the selection process involve?

Subject experts review all eligible applications. Applicants recommended by the subject experts will be required to appear for an interview with the USIEF National Selection Committee. Shortlisted candidates are notified at least three weeks prior to the interview date. Depending on the grant category, the national selection committees meet between August and December.

Fulbright-Nehru selection panels will generally use the following criteria to evaluate applications:

• Academic credentials and professional ability
• Merit of the proposed Fulbright project
• Communication skills
• Commitment to the community or national service
• Need to conduct research in the U.S.
• Outcomes, Potential Impact and Benefits
• Motivation, Seriousness of Purpose, Maturity, Leadership, Cultural Adaptability
• Ability to contribute as a cultural ambassador beyond the specific field of study

The national selection committees recommend a slate of nominees for further consideration of the Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board (FFSB) in Washington, D.C. Nominees are notified of the outcome typically in March/April.

Will the Fulbright Commission staff review my application before submitting? 

No. Please note that Fulbright staff are unable to access your application prior to submission.

How can I ensure my application is successful? 

The Fulbright application process emphasizes the individuality of each applicant, and there is no universal "formula" for success. Each application should reflect the applicant’s unique background, experiences, and goals, while highlighting how the time in the program will be used effectively. Applicants must demonstrate how their proposed project aligns with the aims of the Fulbright program and how their work may contribute. 

Can you tell me why I was not selected? 

Unfortunately, we cannot provide individual feedback to applicants. As with all Fulbright awards, applications are evaluated by expert panels. The assessment is competitive, merit-based and in accordance with the Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board (FFSB) policies.

Are Fulbright-Nehru and other Fulbright grants available for attending conferences, seminars and paper presentations in the U.S. and other countries?

Fulbright-Nehru and other Fulbright grants are not for the principal purpose of attending seminars and conferences or for presenting papers.

Who is eligible to apply for the Fulbright-Nehru and other Fulbright Fellowships?

Please see the eligibility criteria listed with respect to each grant category in addition to the General Prerequisites.

Can I avail of a Fulbright-Nehru for a project that I want to work on in India?

No. These grants are offered for study, research, teaching or professional development in the U.S.

What is the duration of the grants?

It can range from six weeks to two academic years depending on the grant category. See individual grant descriptions on our website.

Is there a preferred age for each fellowship category?

Fellowship categories do not have age limits/age preferences.

I had applied for a Fulbright-Nehru in the past but did not make it. Can I apply again?

Yes, you are strongly encouraged to apply again. Please review the eligibility criteria carefully. In a given academic year, you are eligible to apply for only one Fulbright-Nehru Fellowship. In the same academic year.

Where can I get information on Indian Fulbright fellows?

Please visit the “Current Fellows” page on USIEF website to learn about our fellows currently in the U.S. and their Fulbright projects.

Can I have multiple U.S. host institutions? 

In the interests of maintaining a consistent, coherent program of research/study, applicants are strongly encouraged to propose to work with no more than one host institution in the United States. This is to ensure that program participants have sufficient time to develop ties to their host institutions and communities, an integral part of the cultural and academic exchange component of Fulbright. Short visits (up to 1 week) to other institutions are acceptable exceptions to this.

I have already started a degree in the U.S. Can I apply for a Fulbright scholarship to fund this?

Applicants who have already commenced studies/research in the U.S. are ineligible for a Fulbright scholarship. Applicants may already have an acceptance to a degree program in the U.S. but must not have enrolled or begun the coursework.

Must I return to India at the completion of my Fulbright program? 

Fulbright scholars travel on a J-1 visa. You (and your J-2 dependents, where applicable) are subject to the Code of Federal Regulations rule 212(e), the two-year home country residency requirement associated with the J visa. This is intended to ensure that scholars fulfill the exchange nature of the program.