2026-2027 Fulbright-Nehru Master's Fellowships
The Fulbright-Nehru Master’s Fellowships are designed for highly motivated individuals who demonstrate outstanding leadership qualities, have completed the equivalent of a U.S. bachelor’s degree, have at least three years professional work experience, and are committed to return and contribute to their communities in India.
These fellowships are awarded for up to two years to pursue a master’s degree at U.S. colleges and universities.
The fellowship will provide J-1 visa support, round-trip economy class air travel from fellow’s home city to the host institution in the U.S., funding for tuition and fees, living and related costs, and accident and sickness coverage per U.S. Government guidelines.*
The Fulbright-Nehru Master’s Fellowships provide no financial support for dependents.
* USIEF funding may not cover all costs and the fellow may need to supplement grant benefits with other resources.
In addition to the General Prerequisites, the applicant:
- Must have completed an equivalent of a U.S. bachelor's degree from a recognized Indian university with at least 55% marks. Applicants must either possess a four-year bachelor's degree or a completed master's degree; or a full-time postgraduate diploma from a recognized Indian institution, if the bachelor's degree is of less than four years' duration;
- Must have at least three years' full-time (paid) professional work experience relevant to the proposed field of study by the application deadline;
- Should demonstrate experience in leadership and community service;
- Must not have another degree from a U.S. university or be enrolled in a U.S. degree program; and
- If employed, should follow the instructions carefully regarding employer’s endorsement. If applicable, obtain the endorsement from the appropriate administrative authority on the FNMasters Employer’s Endorsement Form. The employer must indicate that leave will be granted for the fellowship period.
- Government of India and Indian State Government employees are not eligible for any Fulbright-Nehru Fellowships. This does not include faculty or staff at Central or State universities or colleges.
Each applicant must choose one field of study that matches their main area of interest. The following field descriptions are illustrative, and applicants should note that individual academic host institution programs of study may differ in course offerings, subspecialties, and academic requirements.
Applications are invited in the following fields only:
- Applications must be submitted online at: https://apply.iie.org/ffsp2026
- Please carefully review the FNMaster's Applicant Instructions before starting your online application
- Please refer to FNMaster's Applicant Checklist before submitting the application.
- In addition, you must complete FNMaster's Applicant Annexure and FNMaster's Employer's Endorsement Form (if applicable) and upload on your online application.
Timeline and Placement Process
| May 14, 2025 | Application Deadline |
| End June 2025 | Review of applications |
| Early August 2025 | USIEF informs the applicants about the review outcome |
| End August 2025 | Interviews of short-listed candidates |
| End August 2025 | USIEF notifies principal and alternate nominees. Nominees take tests (such as TOEFL and GRE) |
| October 2025 | USIEF forwards applications of recommended candidates to the U.S. for J. William Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board (FFSB) approval and placement |
| March/April 2026 | USIEF notifies the finalists about the FFSB approval |
| May/June 2026 | Pre-Departure Orientation |
| July/August 2026 | Pre-academic training in the U.S. (if required) |
| August/September 2026 | Degree program begins |
Placement of successful candidates is done by the Institute of International Education (IIE), New York. Recommended applicants are not required to apply to U.S. institutions on their own. IIE/Fulbright Program will apply to four different institutions on their behalf, taking into consideration the candidates’ preferred institutions and the candidates’ competitiveness. If a recommended candidate has previously applied to U.S. institutions and has requested a deferral from the institution, the candidate must notify USIEF immediately.
For any queries contact: masters@usief.org.in
Application Deadline: May 14, 2025, 23:59:59 hrs (IST)
IMPORTANT:
- You can apply for only ONE Fulbright-Nehru fellowship category during a competition cycle.
- Plagiarism in the application will lead to disqualification. Some US universities and colleges have developed and published policies on the use of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) on applications for admission or affiliation with their institution. Some institutions may scan applications for the use of language produced by GenAI. While individual institutional policies range widely and policy responses from US universities will continue to evolve, copying language/content produced by GenAI directly into your application may negatively impact admission or affiliation decisions.
- Applications received after the deadline will NOT be considered. Incomplete applications will be rejected.
- Extensions and Transfer of visa sponsorship will not be permitted.
- Prospective Fulbright participants should be aware that public health conditions, availability of consular services and travel, as well as U.S. institutional operating status and policies may affect their ability to travel to the U.S. and participate in academic programs.