Fulbright-Nehru Academic and Professional Excellence Fellowships
USIEF (United States-India Educational Foundation)
Application deadline
1 Jul 2026
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Overview
The Fulbright-Nehru Academic and Professional Excellence Fellowships let Indian faculty, researchers and professionals go to the United States to teach, do research, or do a mix of both at a U.S. host institution. Grantees may also help build curriculum and run workshops and seminars. The fellowship lasts four to nine months.
For the 2027-2028 cycle, USIEF invited proposals in six areas: Critical Minerals and Supply Chains; Defense and Security; Energy Security; Science and Research Collaboration; Space Cooperation; and Technology and Innovation.
Who can apply? Faculty and researchers need a Ph.D. plus at least five years of relevant teaching, research or professional experience. Professionals outside academics need a master's degree plus at least five years of relevant experience. You must be an Indian citizen living in India during the cycle, have strong English, and promise to return to India after the fellowship. Employees of the Government of India and State Governments are not eligible, though people from bodies like CSIR, ICAR, DRDO, ISRO, ICMR, IISc and the IITs can apply.
What do you get? J-1 visa support, a monthly stipend, health cover under the Accident and Sickness Program for Exchanges, round-trip economy air travel, a settling-in allowance and a professional allowance. The exact rupee or dollar amounts are not published on the official page.
You apply online through the USIEF/IIE application portal, after uploading the FNAPE Annexure, a Letter of Support from your institution and a recent publication.
At a glance
| Who can apply | PG, PhD |
|---|---|
| Streams | Critical Minerals and Supply Chains, Defense and Security, Energy Security, Science and Research Collaboration, Space Cooperation, Technology and Innovation |
| Category | All |
| Age | — |
| Income limit | — |
| Gender | — |
| States | All India |
| Benefit / amount | Monthly stipend (amount not stated), J-1 visa support, Accident and Sickness Program for Exchanges, round-trip economy class air travel, a modest settling-in allowance and a professional allowance. Eight- and nine-month grantees may also get a dependent allowance and international travel for one eligible dependent, subject to funds. |
| Duration | Four to nine months |
| Renewable | No |
| Last date | 1 Jul 2026 |
| Opened | — |
Documents you'll need
- FNAPE Applicant Annexure (completed and uploaded)
- FNAPE Letter of Support from Home Institution, with employer's endorsement confirming leave will be granted
- A recent significant publication (copy of paper/article), not exceeding 30 pages
- Letter of invitation from a U.S. host institution, if already secured
How you're selected
Applications are submitted online at apply.iie.org. USIEF reviews applications in October 2026 and informs applicants of the review outcome by end October 2026. Shortlisted candidates are interviewed in November 2026, and USIEF notifies semi-finalists the same month. In December 2026 USIEF forwards recommended applications to the U.S. for J. William Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board (FFSB) approval and placement. Finalists are notified in April 2027, with pre-departure orientation in May/June 2027 and the program beginning in August/September 2027.
FAQs
Who can apply? Indian citizens who are faculty or researchers with a Ph.D. and at least five years of relevant teaching, research or professional experience. Professionals outside academics can apply with a master's degree and at least five years of relevant experience. You must not be living in the U.S. during the cycle, must not hold or be applying for a U.S. green card, and must have a strong command of English.
Who is not eligible? The official page says employees of the Government of India and Indian State Governments, including IAS, IPS, IRS, IFS and allied services, state civil services and staff of central or state ministries, cannot apply. However, researchers, scientists and academics from CSIR, ICAR, ICGEB, DRDO, ISRO, ICMR, DBT institutions, DST laboratories, BARC, IISc, the IITs and other centrally funded institutions and universities are eligible.
How much money do I get? USIEF does not publish a rupee or dollar figure. The official page says the fellowship gives a monthly stipend, J-1 visa support, health cover under the Accident and Sickness Program for Exchanges, round-trip economy class air travel, a modest settling-in allowance and a professional allowance. Those on eight or nine-month grants may also get a dependent allowance and travel for one eligible dependent, if funds allow.
How long is the fellowship? Four to nine months at one U.S. host institution.
What was the last date? For the 2027-2028 cycle the deadline was July 1, 2026, 23:59:59 hrs (IST), and that date has passed. USIEF runs this fellowship every year, so check the official USIEF page for the next cycle's dates before applying.
How do I apply? Applications are made online on the USIEF/IIE portal. Before starting, read the FNAPE Applicant Instructions and Checklist, and get ready your FNAPE Annexure, a Letter of Support from your home institution signed by your employer confirming leave, and a recent publication of not more than 30 pages.
Can I renew or extend it? No. The official page states that extensions and transfer of visa sponsorship will not be permitted. You may also apply for only one Fulbright-Nehru fellowship category in a competition cycle.