Fulbright-Nehru Postdoctoral Fellowships in Science, Engineering, Social Sciences, and Humanities (Postdoc) United States-India Educational Foundation in United States

The Fulbright-Nehru Postdoctoral Research Fellowships, administered by the United States-India Educational Foundation (USIEF), offer early-career Indian researchers and faculty the opportunity to conduct advanced research at a U.S. host institution for 8–24 months. This prestigious program is designed to foster long-term scholarly partnerships and provide access to world-class research infrastructure in the United States.

Fields of study covered by the fellowship include Materials Science, Robotics, Political Science, Psychology, Linguistics, Urban Planning, Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Mining Engineering, Petroleum Engineering, Geology, Computer Science (including Artificial Intelligence and Data Science), and more. The program is open to a wide range of disciplines in science, engineering, social sciences, and humanities, making it a transformative opportunity for Indian scholars seeking to advance their academic careers and build global collaborations.

Applicants must be Indian citizens residing in India and must have obtained a Ph.D. or D.M. degree between July 15, 2022 and July 14, 2026. At least one publication in a reputed journal is required. If currently employed, applicants must secure an institutional endorsement and leave approval for the fellowship period. Employees of the Government of India and Indian State Governments, including civil servants and bureaucratic staff, are not eligible. However, researchers from central labs, universities, and funded institutions are encouraged to apply. All applicants must upload their degree certificate/provisional, a recent publication, and, if applicable, a letter of support from their home institution. Only one Fulbright-Nehru fellowship category can be applied for per competition cycle, and plagiarism or incomplete applications will result in disqualification.

The fellowship provides comprehensive benefits, including J-1 visa support, a monthly stipend, health insurance (Accident & Sickness Program for Exchanges), round-trip economy airfare, settling-in and professional allowances, and, subject to funding, dependent support for one eligible dependent. The duration of the fellowship is flexible, ranging from 8 to 24 months, and applicants must specify their intended grant period in the application.

The application deadline is July 15, 2026. The selection process includes application review, interviews, and final approval by the J. William Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board, with the program commencing in August or September 2027. Interested candidates should apply online via the official portal, ensuring all required documents are uploaded as per the guidelines. For detailed information and application instructions, visit the USIEF website or contact [email protected].