The Fulbright-Nehru Academic and Professional Excellence (FNAPE) Fellowships 2027-28 are now open for applications. Offered by the United States-India Educational Foundation (USIEF), the fellowship provides Indian faculty members, researchers, and experienced professionals with an opportunity to teach, conduct research, or combine teaching and research at leading institutions in the United States. Interested and eligible candidates must submit their online applications by 1 July 2026.
Key Highlights
- Fellowship Name: Fulbright-Nehru Academic and Professional Excellence Fellowships 2027-28
- Conducting Organization: United States-India Educational Foundation (USIEF)
- Fellowship Location: United States
- Application Mode: Online
- Application Deadline: 1 July 2026
- Eligible Applicants: Indian faculty, researchers, and professionals
- Fellowship Duration: As per the approved grant
- Benefits include monthly stipend, airfare, visa support, and professional allowance.
More Info
The Fulbright-Nehru Academic and Professional Excellence Fellowships are designed to strengthen academic collaboration between India and the United States. The program enables experienced scholars and professionals to enhance their expertise through teaching, research, or a combination of both at accredited U.S. institutions.
The fellowship encourages knowledge exchange, international collaboration, and professional development while promoting long-term academic partnerships between India and the United States.
Direct Link
- Apply Online through the official USIEF fellowship portal.
- Application Deadline: 1 July 2026
Step-by-Step Application Process
- Visit the official USIEF fellowship application portal.
- Register with a valid email ID.
- Complete the online FNAPE application form.
- Upload all required documents.
- Review the application carefully.
- Submit the application before 1 July 2026.
- Keep a copy of the submitted application for future reference.
Eligibility
Applicants must:
- Be a national of India.
- Hold a Ph.D. degree with at least five years of relevant teaching, research, or professional experience (for faculty and researchers).
- Hold a Master’s degree with at least five years of relevant professional experience (for professionals outside academia).
Non-Eligibility
The following applicants are not eligible:
- Employees of the Government of India.
- Employees of Indian State Governments.
- Civil servants including IAS, IPS, IRS, IFS, and allied services.
- State civil service officers.
- Bureaucratic staff employed in central or state government ministries and departments.
Fellowship Benefits
Selected fellows will receive:
- J-1 Visa support
- Monthly stipend
- Round-trip economy class airfare
- Accident and program insurance as per U.S. Government guidelines
- Modest settling-in allowance
- Professional allowance
Additional Benefit
Subject to the availability of funds, fellows awarded an eight or nine-month grant may receive a dependent allowance and international travel support for one eligible accompanying dependent, provided the dependent remains in the United States for at least 80% of the fellowship period.
Required Documents
Applicants must upload the following documents:
- FNAPE online application form
- Detailed project statement
- Bibliography
- Course syllabi
- Detailed Curriculum Vitae (CV)
- Three reference letters
- Employer’s endorsement (Letter of Support from the Home Institution, if employed)
- FNAPE Applicant Annexure
- One recent significant publication (maximum 30 pages)
Selection Process
Candidates will be shortlisted based on:
- Fulfilment of all eligibility conditions.
- Completeness of the application.
- Academic and professional achievements.
- Quality of the proposed teaching or research project.
What’s Next
After the application deadline, USIEF will evaluate all submitted applications. Shortlisted candidates may be contacted for further stages of the selection process. Final fellowship awards will be announced after the evaluation is completed.
Quick Reference Summary
| Particular | Details |
| Fellowship | Fulbright-Nehru Academic and Professional Excellence Fellowships 2027-28 |
| Organization | United States-India Educational Foundation (USIEF) |
| Mode | Online |
| Last Date | 1 July 2026 |
| Eligibility | Ph.D. or Master’s with 5 years of relevant experience |
| Benefits | Monthly stipend, airfare, visa support, insurance, allowances |
| Selection | Based on eligibility and application evaluation |
Frequently Asked Questions
| What is the last date to apply for the Fulbright-Nehru Academic and Professional Excellence Fellowships 2027-28? |
| The last date to submit the online application is 1 July 2026. Applicants should complete all documentation before the deadline. |
| Who can apply for the fellowship? |
| Indian nationals with a Ph.D. and at least five years of relevant teaching or research experience, or professionals with a Master’s degree and five years of relevant experience, are eligible. |
| Are government employees eligible? |
| No. Employees of the Government of India, State Governments, IAS, IPS, IRS, IFS, and other civil services are not eligible for this fellowship. |
| What benefits are provided under the fellowship? |
| Fellows receive a monthly stipend, J-1 visa support, economy airfare, accident insurance, settling-in allowance, and professional allowance. |
| Is dependent support available? |
| Yes. Subject to funding, one eligible dependent may receive travel and dependent allowance for long-duration grants, provided eligibility conditions are met. |
| What documents are required? |
| Applicants need the online application, project statement, bibliography, CV, course syllabi, reference letters, employer endorsement (if applicable), annexure, and a recent publication. |
| How are candidates selected? |
| Selection is based on meeting the eligibility criteria and evaluation of the complete application, including academic achievements and research proposal. |
| Can professionals outside academia apply? |
| Yes. Professionals with a Master’s degree and at least five years of relevant professional experience are eligible to apply. |
The Fulbright-Nehru Academic and Professional Excellence Fellowships 2027-28 offer an outstanding opportunity for experienced Indian faculty members, researchers, and professionals to advance their academic and professional careers through teaching and research in the United States. With attractive financial support, international exposure, and opportunities for collaboration, this fellowship remains one of the most prestigious international academic exchange programmes. Eligible candidates should ensure they submit a complete application before 1 July 2026, for more details and apply CLICK HERE
