Partial funding · Study in the United States
Fulbright-Nehru Doctoral Research Fellowships
A monthly stipend, airfare, accident and sickness cover, and a modest research allowance for six to nine months in the United States
- Funder
- United States-India Educational Foundation
- Level
- Doctoral
- Coverage
- Partial
About this scholarship
USIEF funds Indian PhD registrants to spend six to nine months conducting research at a US institution while remaining enrolled at their Indian university.
It sits alongside the Fulbright-Nehru Master's Fellowships but is designed for candidates who want US supervision and archives without leaving their Indian doctorate.
🗓️ Deadline
Applications normally close in the middle of the year, more than a year before the fellowship starts
Award cycles shift year to year. Confirm the current deadline on the official site before you plan around it.
Eligibility
- An Indian citizen registered for a PhD at an Indian institution
- Normally having completed the coursework and confirmed the research topic
- A US host institution and a letter of affiliation from a faculty member there
- At least three years of professional or research experience is preferred
- A commitment to return to India and complete the doctorate
How to apply
- Identify a US host institution and secure an affiliation letter
- Prepare the research proposal and obtain your supervisor's endorsement
- Apply through the USIEF online portal before the mid-year deadline
- Attend the interview stage if shortlisted
- Ask your Tutopiya counsellor about approaching US faculty for affiliation
Studying in the United States
The world's largest choice of universities, cutting-edge research and up to 3 years of practical training. Post-study work: 12 months OPT (36 for STEM).
Other scholarships for the United States
Browse all United States scholarshipsAAUW International Fellowships
American Association of University Women
US$20,000–$50,000 for a year of full-time graduate study or research in the United States
AU Emerging Global Leader Scholarship
American University, Washington DC
Two full awards covering all billable expenses, plus up to eight partial awards worth up to US$40,000 a year
Berea College International Student Scholarship
Berea College
Full tuition for all four years, with first-year room, board and fees also covered for international students
Fulbright-Nehru Doctoral Research Fellowships: your questions, answered
What does the Fulbright-Nehru Doctoral Research Fellowships cover?
A monthly stipend, airfare, accident and sickness cover, and a modest research allowance for six to nine months in the United States. USIEF funds Indian PhD registrants to spend six to nine months conducting research at a US institution while remaining enrolled at their Indian university.
Who is eligible for the Fulbright-Nehru Doctoral Research Fellowships?
Core requirements are: An Indian citizen registered for a PhD at an Indian institution; Normally having completed the coursework and confirmed the research topic; A US host institution and a letter of affiliation from a faculty member there; At least three years of professional or research experience is preferred; A commitment to return to India and complete the doctorate. Eligibility rules are set by the funder and can change each cycle, so confirm on the official site before applying.
When is the Fulbright-Nehru Doctoral Research Fellowships deadline?
Applications normally close in the middle of the year, more than a year before the fellowship starts. Because award cycles shift year to year, always check the official programme website for the current date.
What does the placement service cost?
A flat SGD 50, billed as two monthly instalments of SGD 25. That covers everything: counselling, university matching, application support and guidance right up to your offer. There are no hidden extras, no agent fees and no commission on your tuition, because our counselling is funded by our university partners, the SGD 50 only covers administration. Separately, you pay the university’s own tuition or semester fees directly to the university after you accept your offer.
What exactly do you help with?
Everything from start to finish: understanding your options, shortlisting the right programme, preparing your application and personal statement, submitting to the university, and guiding you through the offer, enrolment and visa paperwork, all with a dedicated counsellor.
Which universities can you place me into?
We place students into a range of UK and international universities, and we shortlist the best-fit options for your grades, budget and goals rather than pushing a single school. On some pages we run dedicated SGD 50 placement drives for a specific partner university, and we are always adding more partners. Tell us your goals and your counsellor will map out your options.