Fulbright-Nehru Doctoral Research Fellowship 2026
Prestigious government fellowship for Indian PhD students to conduct dissertation research at US institutions for 6–9 months. AI is a listed priority area. Covers full costs including J-1 visa, stipend, and travel.
Fulbright is one of the most recognized research credentials globally — and AI is an explicitly listed priority area for the India cohort, making this unusually well-matched for AI PhD researchers who need access to US institutions and compute.
The Fulbright-Nehru Doctoral Research Fellowship allows Indian PhD scholars to spend 6–9 months conducting dissertation research at leading US universities and research institutions. The fellowship is jointly funded by the US and Indian governments through USIEF.
Priority research areas (2026):
- Artificial Intelligence and related fields
- Energy security
- Space science
- Defense and security technologies
What’s covered:
- J-1 visa support
- Monthly stipend for living expenses
- Round-trip travel
- Health insurance
- Academic support and orientation
Eligibility requirements:
- Enrolled in a PhD programme at an accredited Indian university
- Coursework substantially complete (ABD preferred)
- Must identify and secure a US host institution/supervisor
- Research proposal must fall within priority areas
Application closes July 1, 2026. Apply through USIEF’s official portal.