The Fulbright-Nehru Academic and Professional Excellence Fellowships aim to provide Indian faculty, researchers, and professionals the opportunity to teach, conduct research, or carry out a combination of teaching and research at a U.S. institution. Depending on the U.S. host institution, it is likely that the grantee may contribute towards developing curriculum and conducting workshops and seminars. These fellowships are for four to nine months. If you are applying for a Flex Award, the minimum length of the total grant is four months and the maximum is six months.
Research
Applicants must demonstrate the relevance of the proposed research to India and/or the U.S., its benefit to the applicant’s institution, the feasibility of accomplishing the research goal within the stipulated period, and the need to carry out the research in the U.S.
Teaching
Indian academics and professionals contribute to the internationalization of the curriculum at their U.S. host institutions and the understanding of recent developments not just in India but globally. The recipient will be affiliated as a visiting scholar at a U.S. institution, and will teach courses individually or team-teach. Teaching applications are especially welcome.
Research and Teaching
Applicants will carry out a combination of research and teaching activities at the U.S. host institution. They must specify the percentage of the grant for each activity and define this in the project statement. For instance, if the plan is to spend 60 per cent of the grant duration for research and 40 per cent for teaching, the project statement should demonstrate this allocation. Teaching could include courses (individually or team-taught) or a series of seminars at the U.S. institution.
Flex Awards
Flex Awards are designed for scholars who require multiple visits to the U.S. and for those who find it difficult to leave their home institutions during the academic year. This option allows grants to be conducted over short segments, preferably during the fall and/or spring semesters. Interested applicants should clearly indicate plans for Flex in their project statement, including a project timeline.
Field of Study:
Applications are invited in the following fields only:
- Agricultural Sciences
- Anthropology
- Bioengineering
- Chemistry
- Computer Science (including, but not limited to, cyber security, digital economy, quantum computing, artificial intelligence, machine learning and big data analytics)
- Economics
- Education Policy and Planning
- Energy Studies
- Geography (including GIS and Geology)
- History
- Language and Literature
- Materials Science (with emphasis on environmental applications)
- Mathematical Sciences
- Neuroscience
- Performing Arts
- Physics
- Political Science (including, but not limited to, International Security and Strategic Studies);
- Public Health
- Public Policy
- Sociology
- Urban and Regional Planning (with emphasis on smart cities and waste management)
- Visual Arts
- Women’s and Gender Studies.
Location:
United StatesBenefits
The fellowships provide:
- A J-1 visa support.
- A monthly stipend.
- Accident and Sickness Program for Exchanges per U.S. Government guidelines.
- Round-trip economy class air travel (two round-trip economy class air tickets for Flex).
- A modest settling-in allowance.
- A professional allowance.
- Subject to availability of funds, in case of grantees on eight or nine-month grants, a dependent allowance and international travel may be provided for one accompanying eligible dependent provided the dependent is with the grantee in the U.S. for at least 80 per cent of the grant period. Flex grantees are not eligible for dependent benefits.
Eligibilities
The requirements for being eligible for this fellowship:
- Must be a responsible Indian citizen who can contribute to a full and fair picture of the culture and civilization of India, and thereby help to promote understanding and friendship between the peoples of the United States of America and India.
- Must not be residing in U.S. during recruitment and placement cycle (January 2021-July 2022).
- Must have a high level of academic/professional achievement.
- Must demonstrate proficiency in the English language to undertake the proposed project/program and adjust to life in the U.S.
- There will be an interview round for shortlisted candidates.
- Must inform USIEF well in advance if s/he needs to travel abroad (e.g. conference) during the application cycle July 2021 – June 2022.
- Must be eligible for leave, if employed.
- Must be in good health.
- Must not be applying for or holding permanent residence (green card) in the United States.
- Must give an undertaking to return to India on the completion of the fellowship.
- For the additional requirements please follow the official link.
Application Process
- Applications must be submitted online at the Apply Now link.
- Please carefully review the FNMaster’s Applicant Instructions mentioned in the official link before starting your online application.
- Please refer to FNMaster’s Applicant Checklist mentioned in the official link before submitting the application.
- In addition, you must complete and upload the following documents on your online applicaiton:
- FNMaster’s Applicant Annexure
- FNMaster’s Employer’s Endorsement Form (if applicable)
- Please follow the official link to know more about the required documents.
Application Deadline: July 15, 2021
Application ClosedOfficial link
