In our special topic series on US higher education, a few weeks ago we talked about the short-term programmes in the United States offering support for research exchanges. One such government exchange programme for Indian citizens is the Fulbright fellowship. In today’s column, we inform our readers about Fulbright-Nehru and other Fulbright programmes that are […]
In our special topic series on US higher education, a few weeks ago we talked about the short-term programmes in the United States offering support for research exchanges. One such government exchange programme for Indian citizens is the Fulbright fellowship. In today’s column, we inform our readers about Fulbright-Nehru and other Fulbright programmes that are currently open for applications for Indian citizens and offer support for both higher education and short-term exchange in the United States.
Fulbright-Nehru and other Fulbright fellowships are open for students, academics, teachers, policymakers, administrators, and professionals in a variety of disciplines across arts, humanities, social sciences, and STEM fields. The awards enable the most qualified applicants to study, research, and teach in the United States. The scholars are selected through a rigorous application and interview process for these awards. The grants provide roundtrip international travel, J-1 visa support, a monthly stipend, health insurance known as Accident and Sickness Program for Exchanges (ASPE), applicable allowances, and modest affiliation fees if any.
There are different types of Fulbright awards for students and scholars. There is a Fulbright-Nehru student award ‘Fulbright-Nehru Master’s Fellowships’ available to pursue a master’s degree at selected US colleges and universities but only in a few designated areas of studies. Also, these fellowships are for highly motivated individuals who demonstrate leadership, have at least three years of professional work experience and are committed to returning to India upon completion of their studies and contributing to their communities. Applicants must either possess a four-year bachelor’s degree, a completed master’s degree, or a full-time postgraduate diploma from a recognised Indian institution if the bachelor’s degree is of less than four years’ duration.
Readers may find further details about the eligibility criteria and application process for this programme at: http://www.usief.org.in/Fellowships/Fulbright-Nehru-Master-Fellowships.aspx. Please take note that the application deadline for the 2023-2024 Fulbright-Nehru Master’s Fellowships is May 16, 2022.
In addition to the Fulbright-Nehru Master’s Fellowships, students who are currently registered for a PhD programme at an Indian institution are eligible to apply for ‘Fulbright-Nehru Doctoral Research Fellowships’. These fellowships last from six to nine months in duration. The doctoral research fellowships are available in a few designated areas of study. The doctoral research grant is intended for PhD students to conduct research essential to their dissertation/thesis at an American institution but the students receive their PhD degree from the Indian institution where they are registered.
Further details about the Fulbright-Nehru Doctoral Research Fellowship may be accessed at: https://www.usief.org.in/Fellowships/Fulbright-Nehru-Doctoral-Research-Fellowships.aspx . The deadline of applications for the next cycle of Fulbright-Nehru Doctoral Research Fellowships is July 15, 2022.
Finally, faculty and researchers in the early stages of their research careers in India may consider applying to the Fulbright-Nehru Postdoctoral Research Fellowships that provide opportunities to talented faculty and researchers to strengthen their research capacities in the United States. To be able to apply for this programme, applicants must have obtained a PhD degree within the past four years and demonstrated evidence of good academic/professional accomplishments. Like the master’s and doctoral fellowships, Fulbright-Nehru Postdoctoral Research Fellowships are also available in only a few designated areas of studies.
Further, details about these fellowships can be found at https://www.usief.org.in/Fellowships/Fulbright-Nehru-Postdoctoral-Research-Fellowship.aspx. The deadline for 2023-2024 Fulbright-Nehru Postdoctoral Research Fellowships is August 17, 2022.
In addition to the Fulbright-Nehru fellowships, there are doctoral and post-doctoral research fellowships available under the Fulbright-Kalam category of grants in the field of climate change. The deadline for these fellowships for the 2023-2024 cycle is September 15, 2022. Further details about the Fulbright-Kalam Climate Fellowships are available at https://www.usief.org.in/Fellowships/Fulbright-Kalam-Climate-Fellowship.aspx
We encourage readers to consider applying for an appropriate fellowship of their interest and contact usiefhyderabad@usief.org.in for any further queries.
Monika Setia (Regional Officer and EducationUSA Adviser at the United States-India Educational Foundation based at the U.S. Consulate General Hyderabad. Please visit https://educationusa.state.gov/centers/educationusa-usief-hyderabad for more information)
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Q&A
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Q. We are considering sending our child to the United States for bachelor’s level education. We have heard about scholarships and financial aid. Can you please elaborate more on these two terms? – Aditya Rao
A. The terms “scholarship” and “financial aid” are often used interchangeably. Technically speaking, a scholarship is a financial award based on merit: excellent academic performance, or perhaps community service or leadership or special talent such as sports. Financial aid is a grant based on the student’s financial need, as documented by family income, assets, and other factors. All types of scholarships and financial aid are extremely competitive and require outstanding academic records.
Not all universities/colleges in the United States may offer scholarships and financial aid to international students and it is important to check before applying. Bear in mind that financial aid for US students is separate from financial aid for international students. Financial aid information in general books like The College Handbook and Four-Year Colleges applies to US citizens; do not use these books to get information on financial aid for non-US students. Refer to the university/college website to understand if it offers scholarship and/or financial aid to international students.
Q. I am in the 3rd year of B.Tech. I plan to apply for master’s programmes in the United States. What are the deadlines for applications? – Rajeshwar Reddy
A. Each institution sets its own deadline and is usually firm about not accepting applications after that time, particularly if a college is very popular. There are two common application cycles for the United States – Fall semester starting August/September and Spring semester starting January/February. For the Fall semester, deadlines for applications are generally between October and March and for the Spring semester, between July and September. If, however, a college indicates that it operates “rolling admissions,” late applicants may still have a fair chance of acceptance.
Nonetheless, it is a good idea to submit your application as soon as possible. It is your responsibility to ensure that all your documents, application forms, references, and official score reports reach the universities safely and on time.
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