The Fulbright-Nehru Master’s Fellowships are designed for highly motivated individuals who demonstrate outstanding leadership qualities, have completed the equivalent of a U.S. bachelor’s degree, have at least three years professional work experience, and are committed to return and contribute to their communities in India.
About the Fellowship
- These fellowships are awarded for up to two years to pursue a master’s degree at U.S. colleges and universities.
- Application Deadline: May 14, 2025, 23:59:59 hrs (IST)
Eligibility
- In addition to the General Prerequisites, the applicant: Must have completed an equivalent of a U.S. bachelor's degree from a recognized Indian university with at least 55% marks. Applicants must either possess a four-year bachelor's degree or a completed master's degree; or a full-time postgraduate diploma from a recognized Indian institution, if the bachelor's degree is of less than four years' duration;
- Must have at least three years' full-time (paid) professional work experience relevant to the proposed field of study by the application deadline; Should demonstrate experience in leadership and community service; Must not have another degree from a U.S. university or be enrolled in a U.S. degree program;
- and If employed, should follow the instructions carefully regarding employer’s endorsement. If applicable, obtain the endorsement from the appropriate administrative authority on the FNMasters Employer’s Endorsement Form.
- The employer must indicate that leave will be granted for the fellowship period. Government of India and Indian State Government employees are not eligible for any Fulbright-Nehru Fellowships. This does not include faculty or staff at Central or State universities or colleges.
Applications are invited in the following fields only:
- Economics
- Environmental Science/Studies
- Higher Education
- Administration International
- Legal Studies
- Journalism and Mass Communication
- Public Health
- Sustainable Development/Sustainability
- Urban
- Regional Planning
Application Process
- Applications must be submitted online at: https://apply.iie.org/ffsp2026
- Please carefully review the FNMaster's Applicant Instructions before starting your online application
- Please refer to FNMaster's Applicant Checklist before submitting the application.
- In addition, you must complete FNMaster's Applicant Annexure and FNMaster's Employer's Endorsement Form (if applicable) and upload on your online application.
Application Timeline
- Timeline and Placement Process May 14, 2025
- Application Deadline End June 2025
- Review of applications Early August 2025
- USIEF informs the applicants about the review outcome End August 2025
- Interviews of short-listed candidates End August 2025
- USIEF notifies principal and alternate nominees. Nominees take tests (such as TOEFL and GRE) October 2025
- USIEF forwards applications of recommended candidates to the U.S. for J. William Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board (FFSB) approval and placement March/April 2026
- USIEF notifies the finalists about the FFSB approval May/June 2026
- Pre-Departure Orientation July/August 2026
- Pre-academic training in the U.S. (if required) August/September 2026 Degree program begins
