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All about the Fullbright scholarship program

Shristi

Introduction

Proposed by Senator J. William Fulbright, the Fulbright Scholarship is a prestigious U.S. government-sponsored overseas exchange program. The program aims to promote mutual understanding between other nations and the United States.

With more than 150 participant nations, the Fulbright Scholarship program is currently the world's most extensive educational scholarship program. 

All about the Fullbright scholarship program
Source: The CollegePod

Overview and Background

India has the best program, with over 20,000 grants and fellowships offered to Indians and Americans, including professionals, academics, instructors, and students.

It encourages cross-cultural cooperation, expands worldwide outreach, and facilitates intellectual and cultural exchanges.

The primary funds for the program are provided by Congress and the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs of the U.S. Department of State.


Programme coverage:

  • Support for J-1 U.S. visas

  • Economy class round-trip tickets from the student's home city to the chosen U.S. location.

  • Costs associated with tuition fees

  • Living costs

  • Medical insurance for illnesses and accidents, as defined by US government regulations.


Required conditions

The applicant needs to:

  • Be an Indian citizen who can support the friendship between the United States and India and contribute to India’s growth.

  • Not be in the United States at the time of recruitment and placement.

  • Possess outstanding academic credentials or professional accomplishments.

  • Have fluency and proficiency in the English language.

  • Notify USIEF if they will travel overseas for a conference, for example, while the application is open.

  • Have enough days off, if working.

  • Maintain a good health and lifestyle.

  • Not possess a green card or be an American permanent resident.

  • Be prepared to go back to India after the programme is over.


Academic prerequisites

The candidate needs to:

  • Possess an undergraduate or bachelor's degree from a reputable Indian university, which is the equivalent of a degree from the United States, which can be any of the following:

  • Four-year bachelor's programme

  • obtained a master's degree

  • full-time diploma in postgraduate studies

  • Possess a minimum of a 55% degree programme score.

  • Exhibit their leadership skills.

  • Have volunteered for community work

  • Not have enrolled in an American degree programme already.

  • Possess an IELTS score of 6.0 or more or a comparable TOEFL or PTE score.

  • Own a GRE score of 145 or higher from their completion.


Professional requirements:

If employed, in addition to the aforementioned, the prerequisites are as follows:

  • Candidates must have three years of full-time, paid work experience aligning with their academic field of choice.

  • Candidates must receive the endorsement from the appropriate authorities and fulfill the guidelines for employee endorsement on the FNMasters Employer's Endorsement Form.

  • For the whole period of the fellowship course, the employer must grant leave.


Note: Preference will be given to candidates with no current or past U.S. experience.

If plagiarism is found during the offer or application period, the award may be revoked, rejected, or withdrawn. Additionally, candidates will not be permitted to apply again in the future.


Courses covered under the grant:

  1. Arts and Culture Management with Heritage Conservation and Museum Studies

  2. Economics

  3. Environmental Science/Studies

  4. Higher Education Administration

  5. International Affairs

  6. International Legal Studies

  7. Journalism and Mass Communication

  8. Public Administration

  9. Public Health

  10. Urban and Regional Planning

  11. Women’s Studies/Gender Studies


Application process:

  • Applications can be submitted online at https://apply.iie.org/ffsp2024.

  • Visit the website and create an account.

  • To activate your account, use the temporary PIN that Fulbright@iie.org issued you, then follow the instructions in the email.

  • Access your account by logging in.

  • Read the instructions carefully.

  • Give details about your nation and indicate which scholarship scheme you are applying for. Take the Fulbright-Nehru Master's Fellowships, for instance.

  • Enter your personal information, including your name, citizenship, phone number, and other details.

  • When prompted, enter your academic and professional information.

  • As requested, include facts about your study schedule, preferred university, language proficiency, and other relevant information.

  • Upload pertinent files, including study goals, writing examples, test results, and personal statements. 

  • If you are employed, upload the completed FNMaster's Applicant Annexure in PDF and any other papers, such as an endorsement form and proof of work experience.

  • Give three recommendation letters. 

  • Teachers or supervisors who have worked closely with you should write these.

  • After reviewing, send in your application.


Nehru Scholarship on Fulbright: Required Documents and Materials

Make sure the appropriate files and other resources are prepared for upload throughout the submission process.

  • English transcripts from colleges and universities - scanned copies

  • SOPs, or statements of purpose

  • A sample writing

  • Study's goal

  • most recent CV or resume

  • Marksheets and diploma/degree certificates - scanned copies

  • results from the GRE and IELTS or TOEFL tests

  • Three recommendation letters (LORs)

  • a copy of your passport

  • Portfolio, if relevant

  • Evidence of professional experience

  • A PDF copy of the FNMasters Applicant Annexure

  • The employer's endorsement form for FNMaster


Important dates

DATE

EVENT

July 15, 2024

Last date for application

September 2024

Application review 

October 2024

USIEF review outcome

Late October 2024

Interviews of shortlisted candidates 

End of October 2024

Notifications to nominees by USIEF to take tests, like TOEFL and GRE

December 2024

The William Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board (FFSB) receives applications from suggested individuals, which USIEF forwards for approval and placement.

March/ April 2025

The USIEF notifies the finalists of the FFSB clearance.

May/ June 2025

Orientation

July/ August 2025

Training in the US before fellowship programme (if applicable)

August/ September 2025

Start of the fellowship programme


Nehru Fulbright Scholarship: The Selection Procedure

  • Meritorious Indian candidates are required to undergo a rigorous application and interview procedure. Applications can only be submitted online.

  • The applicant's resume and personal essay are carefully examined. The selection process for candidates considers their academic standing, work history, leadership abilities, competencies, and involvement in volunteer work. 

  • Afterwards, a shortlist of candidates is created using all of the aforementioned factors. Assistance with getting health insurance and processing visas is provided to selected individuals. A thorough pre-departure orientation is given to them.

  • Successful