2025-2026 Fulbright-Nehru Master’s Fellowships
Application Deadline: May 15, 2024, 23:59:59 hrs (IST)
The United States – India Educational Foundation (USIEF) promotes mutual understanding between the nationals of India and the U.S. through the educational exchange of outstanding scholars, professionals and students. Since its inception, USIEF has awarded approximately 20,000 Fulbright, Fulbright-Nehru, and other prestigious grants and scholarships in almost every academic discipline
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 in the areas of Economics; Environmental Science/Studies; Higher Education Administration; International Affairs; International Legal Studies; Journalism and Mass Communication; Public Administration; Public Health; Urban and Regional Planning; and Women’s Studies/Gender Studies.
Grant Benefits
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.
Eligibility Requirements
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.
Fields of Study
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:
Economics: The study of production, demand, and allocation of resources in society, economic trends, and effects of government economic policy on the economy. Subspecialties include development economics, international economics, macroeconomics, microeconomics, labor economics, agricultural economics, and public finance, among others.
Environmental Science/Studies: The study of the environment in all its complexities. Subspecialties include environmental toxicology, natural resource management, pollution prevention, environmental law, environmental engineering, and environmental policy analysis, among others.
Higher Education Administration: The study of all aspects of higher education administration including policy planning and management, student affairs, academic affairs, admissions and enrolment management, curriculum design, learning assessment, financial management, alumni and community relations, internationalization of higher education, quality assurance, and use of technology in higher education, among others.
International Affairs: The study of international relations with reference to foreign policy, conflict resolution, international security and strategic issues, international economic policy, environmental and energy policy, refugee and migration issues, human rights, and gender policy, among others.
International Legal Studies: The study of all aspects of international legal studies including business law, commercial and trade law, employment and labor law, environmental law, global health law, human rights, intellectual property rights and law, international organizations, securities and financial regulations, litigation law, and tax law, among others.
Journalism and Mass Communication: The study of all aspects of mass communication, including individual and convergent media platforms such as print, broadcast and new media. Sub-specialties include media management, and communications research and strategy. Subspecialties include media management, print journalism, online journalism, broadcast (radio, television, internet) journalism, and communications research and strategy among others.
Public Administration: The study of management as it relates to the government sector (local, state, federal) or organizations serving the public. Subspecialties include policy analysis, non-profit management, international development, public sector management, public finance, healthcare management, and city/urban development, among others.
Public Health: The study of all aspects of public health including biostatistics, environmental and occupational health, epidemiology, health law, bioethics and human rights, health policy and management, public health delivery systems, international health, and reproductive, maternal and child health, among others.
Urban and Regional Planning: The study of all aspects of urban and regional planning, including sustainable infrastructure, transportation policy, planning and improvements, water and sanitation, town and rural planning, equitability, public space programming and governance, land use, community visioning, urban resilience, housing and real estate development, and waste management, among others.
Women’s Studies/Gender Studies: The study of issues relevant to women, feminism, and gender including development, health, history, education, sexuality, law, and policy, among others.
How to Apply
- Applications must be submitted online at: https://apply.iie.org/ffsp2025/
- 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.
Application Deadline: May 15, 2024, 23:59:59 hrs (IST)
Timeline and Placement Process
May 15, 2024 – Application Deadline
End June 2024 – Review of applications
Early August 2024 – USIEF informs the applicants about the review outcome
End August 2024 – Interviews of short-listed candidates
End August 2024 – USIEF notifies principal and alternate nominees. Nominees take tests (such as TOEFL and GRE)
October 2024 – USIEF forwards applications of recommended candidates to the U.S. for J. William Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board (FFSB)- approval and placement
March/April 2025 – USIEF notifies the finalists about the FFSB approval
May/June 2025 – Pre-Departure Orientation
July/August 2025 – Pre-academic training in the U.S. (if required)
August/September 2025 – Degree program begins
Post-nomination process
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
IMPORTANT:
You can apply for only ONE Fulbright-Nehru fellowship category during a competition cycle.
Candidates cannot apply for Fulbright-Nehru and Fulbright-Kalam grants in the same academic year.
Plagiarism in the application will lead to disqualification.
Applications received after the deadline will NOT be considered. If any of the mandatory documents in the application form are missing, your application 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.
Applications submitted prior to February 2, 2024 will NOT BE considered.
