Full funding · Study in the United States
Fulbright-Nehru Master's Fellowships
Tuition, a living stipend, return airfare, accident and sickness coverage and a settling-in allowance
- Funder
- United States-India Educational Foundation (USIEF)
- Level
- Postgraduate
- Coverage
- Full
About this scholarship
Administered by USIEF, this is the flagship fully funded route for Indian citizens to take a master's degree in the United States, in fields ranging from public health and education to environmental science and gender studies.
The timeline is long — applications close more than a year before the programme starts — so it needs planning around, not squeezing in alongside a normal admissions cycle.
🗓️ Deadline
The annual call typically closes in mid-May for the intake starting the following year
Award cycles shift year to year. Confirm the current deadline on the official site before you plan around it.
Eligibility
- Indian citizenship and residence in India at the time of application
- A completed bachelor's degree with at least 55% marks, in one of the designated fields
- At least three years of full-time professional work experience in the relevant field
- Demonstrated leadership and community service
- Not holding another degree from a US institution, and not currently enrolled in the US
How to apply
- Check the current designated field list — it changes between cycles
- Register on the USIEF application portal when the call opens
- Submit the application with essays, references and transcripts before the May deadline
- Shortlisted candidates are interviewed later in the year
- USIEF places selected fellows at US universities — you do not choose the institution alone
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).
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Fulbright-Nehru Master's Fellowships: your questions, answered
What does the Fulbright-Nehru Master's Fellowships cover?
Tuition, a living stipend, return airfare, accident and sickness coverage and a settling-in allowance. Administered by USIEF, this is the flagship fully funded route for Indian citizens to take a master's degree in the United States, in fields ranging from public health and education to environmental science and gender studies.
Who is eligible for the Fulbright-Nehru Master's Fellowships?
Core requirements are: Indian citizenship and residence in India at the time of application; A completed bachelor's degree with at least 55% marks, in one of the designated fields; At least three years of full-time professional work experience in the relevant field; Demonstrated leadership and community service; Not holding another degree from a US institution, and not currently enrolled in the US. 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 Master's Fellowships deadline?
The annual call typically closes in mid-May for the intake starting the following year. Because award cycles shift year to year, always check the official programme website for the current date.
Is the university placement service really free?
Yes, our service is 100% free. Counselling, university matching, application support and guidance right up to your offer cost you nothing. There are no consultation fees and no agent fees, because we are funded by our university partners. The only cost you take on is the university’s own tuition or semester fees, which you pay 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 free 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.