Fulbright-Nehru Fellowships
The Fulbright-Nehru Fellowships are prestigious international scholarships funded by the United States-India Educational Foundation (USIEF). They support Indian students, researchers, faculty, professionals, public leaders, and artists to study, research, teach or pursue training in the United States.
Unlike many scholarships, Fulbright-Nehru does not have one single exam.
Selection is based on:
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Academic record
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Statement of Purpose (SOP) / Research Proposal
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Letters of Recommendation
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Professional experience
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Interview performance
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English proficiency (TOEFL/IELTS may be required later)
Key Eligibility Criteria (for Master’s Fellowship Example)
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Indian citizen residing in India
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Completed Bachelor's degree with 55%+
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Minimum 3 years relevant work experience
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Demonstrated leadership qualities & social/community impact
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Strong Statement of Purpose
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Not currently studying/working in the U.S.
Benefits Provided
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Full or partial tuition fee
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Living & book allowance
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Airfare (to & from US)
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Health insurance
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Access to Fulbright alumni network
Opening Date: 12-Nov-2025 10:26 PM
Closing Date: 12-Nov-2025 10:26 PM
1. Academic & Professional Profile Preparation
You are evaluated on:
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Educational background (marks, projects, internships, theses)
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Work experience relevance and impact
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Achievements (awards, publications, initiatives)
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Leadership roles (leading teams, NGOs, campus groups, startups)
You must document your journey clearly.
2. Essay Writing (MOST IMPORTANT PART)
You have to write two main essays:
(A) Personal Statement
Syllabus for Personal Statement:
| Section | What to Cover |
|---|---|
| Your Story | Where you come from, environment, identity, values |
| Key Turning Points | What shaped you academically & personally |
| Leadership Examples | Teams led, initiatives taken, social contribution |
| Challenges Faced | Obstacles + what you learned from them |
| Vision | What kind of leader you want to become |
(B) Statement of Purpose (Study/Research Plan)
Syllabus for SOP / Study Plan:
| Section | What to Explain |
|---|---|
| Academic Interest | Why this field matters to you |
| Gaps in India | What problem exists that needs solving |
| Why Study in the U.S.? | Curriculum, faculty, labs, exposure |
| Why Fulbright? | Alignment with goals + community impact |
| Future Plans in India | How you will contribute when you return |
3. Letters of Recommendation (LOR) Preparation
Syllabus for LOR Topics:
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Your work ethic
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Leadership & teamwork qualities
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Research/academic skills
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Professional or social contribution
You need 3 recommenders:
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From workplace / organization
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From college / professor
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From mentor / supervisor (optional)
4. Research / Study Design (For PhD & Researchers Only)
If you are applying for research fellowships, you must prepare a structured Research Proposal.
Research Proposal Syllabus:
| Part | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Title | Precise & meaningful |
| Problem Statement | What issue you are studying & why it matters |
| Literature Review | Existing research + gap your work addresses |
| Methodology | Tools, data, frameworks, research methods |
| Expected Outcomes | What result or impact your research will create |
| Proposed U.S. Host Institutes | Faculty/labs aligned with your research |
5. Interview Preparation (Final Selection Stage)
Interview Syllabus:
| Topic | What They Judge |
|---|---|
| Motivation | Why you want this field |
| Clarity of Purpose | Your academic/professional goals |
| Social Awareness | Understanding of Indian + global issues |
| Leadership | Your role in making change happen |
| Personality | Confidence, humility, communication skills |
They do not test:
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GK
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Logical reasoning
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Math
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Grammar
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or Current affairs like UPSC
They only test YOU.
6. Optional English Proficiency Test
Only after you are selected:
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You take TOEFL iBT (or IELTS) — Not before.
TOEFL Syllabus includes:
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Reading comprehension
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Listening comprehension
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Academic writing
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Speaking fluency
Guidelines
- All questions are mandatory and there is no negative marking.
- Duration: minutes
- Total Questions:
- Question Type: MCQ
Disclaimer
- Read the question carefully.
- Select the best answer from the provided options.
- Ensure you have a stable Internet connection.
- After selecting your answer, click on the "Submit" button.