Scholarship Overview

Every year, many Indian students apply to study in USA and receive funding through the Fulbright-Nehru Masters Fellowship scheme. Fulbright-Nehru Scholarships give Indian students the chance to explore a Master’s degree program in a selection of key subject areas. The FNMF is awarded to talented Indian students who exhibit leadership qualities, and have sufficient academic qualifications with work experience. Universities in the USA offer the fellowship program for one year or two years depending upon the duration of the selected Master’s degree program. Below we will explain how Fulbright-Nehru Masters Fellowships work, providing advice on eligibility, applications, personal statements, and more.

Fulbright-Nehru Master’s Fellowships by USIEF

Fulbright-Nehru Master’s Fellowships by USIEF is given to the most outstanding students, academics, and professionals in India and the U.S. to study, research and teach in the host country. Indian scholars are selected through a strict application and interview process. Once selected, awardees receive support navigating the visa processing and securing health insurance and a comprehensive pre-departure orientation.

This scholarship program is offered in the areas of Arts & Culture Management, Economics, Environmental Science/Studies, Higher Education Administration, International Affairs, International Legal Studies, Journalism & Mass Communication, Public Administration, Public Health, Urban and Regional Planning and Women’s Studies/Gender Studies.

Fulbright-Nehru Master’s Fellowships Benefits

• 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.
• 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.

Fulbright-Nehru Master’s Fellowships: How to Apply?

• Students can fill out the fellowship applications online at: https://apply.iie.org/apply/?sr=b29b205d-36bc-44e5-8e02-1d3e90c567a4
• 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 and upload the following documents on your online application: FNMaster's Applicant Annexure and FNMaster's Employer's Endorsement Form (if applicable).

Applicable course, university and country

This scholarship is applicable for Masters Degree

This scholarship is applicable for all universities in USA

• The Fulbright-Nehru Master’s Fellowships are designed for outstanding Indians to pursue a master’s degree program at select U.S. colleges and universities in the areas of Arts and Culture Management including Heritage Conservation and Museum Studies; 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

Scholarship amount details

Scholarship amount can be used for

Type of Expense	Indicates if scholarship can be used for this type of expense
Tuition & Fees	✔Scholarship amount can be used for this
Living Expense	✔Scholarship amount can be used for this
Accommodation	×Not covered in scholarship
Air Fare/Travel Expenses	✔Scholarship amount can be used for this
Spouse/Child Care	×Not covered in scholarship
Health Cover	✔Scholarship amount can be used for this
Application	×Not covered in scholarship
Others	✔Scholarship amount can be used for this

• The fellowship will provide the following benefits:
  • 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
• USIEF funding may not cover all costs and the scholar may need to supplement grant benefits with other resources
• The Fulbright-Nehru Master's Fellowships provide no financial support for dependents

Student Awards

Number of students to be awarded: Varies

Scholarship Eligibility

Special Restrictions

• No Special Restriction applicable

Exams Details

Exam name	Indicates if exam is required and cutoff (if any)
TOEFL	Required
GRE	Required
UG	Required (minimum score 55.0%)
Work Experience	Required (minimum 3 years)
Interview	Required

Eligibility

• The applicant:
  • Must be a responsible Indian citizen who can contribute to a full and fair picture of the culture and civilization of India, and thereby help to promote understanding and friendship between the peoples of the United States of America and India
  • must not be residing in U.S. during recruitment and placement cycle (February 2024-July 2025)
  • Must have a high level of academic/professional achievement
  • Must demonstrate proficiency in the English language to undertake the proposed project/program and adjust to life in the U.S.must inform USIEF well in advance if the applicant needs to travel abroad (e.g., conference, fellowship etc.) during the application cycle Feb 2024 – July 2025
  • Must be eligible for leave, if employed;
  • Must be in good health
  • Must not be applying for or holding permanent residence (green card) in the United States; and
  • Must give the undertaking to return to India on the completion of the fellowship
• 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
• The applicant must demonstrate proficiency in the English language to undertake the proposed project/program and adjust to life in the U.S. The applicant may be required to take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)
• Applicant should demonstrate experience in leadership and community service
• If employed, should follow the instructions carefully regarding the employer’s endorsement
• Work Experience: Applicant must have at least three years of full-time professional work experience relevant to his/ her proposed field of study at the time of application
• Interview: There will be an interview round for shortlisted candidates

Preference will be given to following candidates:

• Preference will be given to candidates who have not had extensive recent U.S. experience. Some fellowship programs may have prerequisites and guidelines in addition to those described. above. Please review the eligibility criteria for specific fellowships carefully

Application Process for this scholarship

Application Documents

Type of documents	Indicates if this type of document is required to be submitted
LOR	Required
CV	Required
Work Experience	Required
Official transcripts	Required

• LOR: 3 references are required
• Personal Statement: This personal statement should be a narrative statement describing how you have achieved your current goals
• CV: The curriculum vitae describes academic credentials and demonstrates a record of scholarly achievements (document should not exceed four (4) pages
• Upload scanned photocopies of proof of work/professional experience
• TOEFL/ GRE test score
• Upload study plan/research objectives
• Upload scanned copies of mark sheets or transcripts and diploma/degree certificates
• Upload the passport bio pages (pages with photo, name, passport number, date of issue and validity, etc 
• If employed, should follow the instructions carefully regarding the 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
• If the applicant has letters of admission, letters of invitation, deferral requests, or other correspondence from a school, especially a preferred program, please forward a copy (not the original) of this correspondence to masters@usief.org.in
• Application Process: Applications must be submitted online
• 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

Scholarship Application

This scholarship needs a separate external application.

Important Dates

	Date	Additional Details
Application final end date	Not Available	Deadline has passed
Other Important Dates	Not Available	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)

Please note that these dates could be in local country times and may not be IST (Indian standard time).

Contact email

masters@usief.org.in