What is Fulbright Fellowship?

The Fulbright-Nehru Master's Fellowship, also known as Fulbright Fellowship, is recognised as one of the most illustrious scholar programmes across the globe. It is regulated by the Council for International Exchange of Scholars (CIES). This programme is known for fostering mutual understanding and supporting amicable and peaceful relations between the people of the United States and the people of other nations. In many countries, a network of bi-national Fulbright Commissions is available. An example of such commission is the United States-India Educational Foundation (USIEF), which helps in providing opportunities to Indian students regarding academic and professional growth through the Fulbright Scholarship.

What is Fulbright Fellowship: An Overview

One can avail various fellowships, scholarships, and awards under the Fulbright Scholar Programme. These are offered in the field of agriculture, arts, education, environment, humanities, and social sciences, public health, and science and technology. This programme facilitates opportunities for graduates, postgraduates, researchers, and professionals for studying in the United States. Through Fulbright scholarship, the selected candidates can avail tuition fees and living costs, visa support, airfare, and medical cover. Generally, the deadlines for various Fulbright fellowships are announced in the month of February every year and the applicants can apply online in accordance with their choice of Fulbright programme.

Aspiring Indian candidates can apply for different Fulbright Fellowships as mentioned below:

Selection Criteria for Fulbright Fellowship

The eligibility credentials for different Fulbright scholarship programmes are different. However, there are some general eligibility criteria for Fulbright-Nehru fellowships. The common eligibility requirements of Fulbright programmes for Indian applicants are mentioned below:

• The applicant must be a responsible citizen with adequate knowledge of Indian culture and civilisation as it would help in the promotion of friendship and understanding between the people of India and the United States.
• The applicant must have good academic/professional achievements.
• The applicant must have proficiency in the English language. He/she may need to undergo the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) test for English language proficiency.
• It is mandatory for the applicants to appear in person for the interview test, if selected, at the USIEF office in New Delhi.
• The applicant must not apply for holding permanent residence in the United States.
• An undertaking is required from the applicant, which mentions that he/she would return to India after the completion of the fellowship.
• Applicants without any extensive recent US experience are given preference.

The applications send by the aspiring candidates go through stringent evaluation based on specific eligibility criteria. Once the evaluation process is over, selected applicants have to appear for an interview in person at the office of USIEF, New Delhi, with the National Selection Committee. The Committee’s decision regarding the selection process is considered to be final. The parameters on the basis of which the candidates are chosen are mentioned below:

• Academic and professional calibre of the candidate
• Written and verbal communication skills of the candidate
• Worthiness of the proposed Fulbright project
• Applicant’s requirement for conducting research work in the US
• Leadership qualities, motivation, depth of purpose, maturity and cultural adaptability of the applicant
• Advantage, consequence, and impression of the project

Opening of the 2019 Fulbright Fellowship Application Season

Usually, the applications for different Fulbright scholarships, fellowships or awards are announced in the month of February every year. The last date of application varies from the month of February to November or December. To know the application period of various Fulbright Fellowship programmes for the upcoming season, refer to the table given below:

Participating Countries for Fulbright Fellowships

Globally, more than 150 countries of different regions of the world participate in the Fulbright Fellowship programme. Some of the major countries that participate in this programme are mentioned below:

Benefits of Fulbright Scholarship

The candidates selected for Fulbright Fellowships can avail various financial benefits in terms of living costs, tuition fees, medical support, airfare, etc. The main advantages of scholarship/fellowship are as below:

• J-1 visa support
• Airfare for the round-trip from the applicant’s home city to the host institution in the United States
• Tuition fees
• Living and related costs
• Medical insurance as per US government guidelines
• Monthly stipend
• Professional allowance
• Travel allowance
• Miscellaneous costs

For any query regarding different Fulbright Fellowship programmes, the candidates can contact the specific department through the email addresses mentioned below:

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