International Fulbright Science and Technology Awards: Introduction

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Category :
PhD study
Study Areas :
Science, technology or engineering
Scholarship Provided by :
Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs of U.S.
Provided to :
Promising Graduate Students

International Fulbright Science and Technology Awards is one of the US government's most prestigious and valuable education scholarships. International Fulbright Science and Technology Awards are for promising graduate students to undertake PhD study at top US universities in fields of science, technology or engineering. This program, introduced in 2006, reaffirms America's pre-eminence and competitiveness in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) and demonstrates United States commitment to attracting and supporting future researchers and leaders for scientific study and research at U.S. institutions.

The Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs of the U.S. Department of State will fund grants for up to three years under this program. After three years, U.S. universities will cover the remaining expenses toward completion of a PhD. Academic placement (university admission and other formalities) of the selected scholars will be handled by the Institute of International Education (IIE). Fellows will travel to the U.S. on J-1 visas and will be subject to J-visa regulations. Approximately 45 awards are offered each year to graduate students from around the world who demonstrate unique aptitude and innovation in scientific fields, leadership potential and the ability to be a cultural ambassador for their country. Candidates are nominated by their home country's Fulbright commission and selected by rigorous international competition.

The fellowship will provide the following benefits:

Tuition and fees for up to three years
A monthly stipend for up to three years
Book and equipment, and professional conference allowances
J-1 visa sponsorship for up to five years
Round-trip airfare from fellow's home city to the host institution in the United States
Health and accident coverage as per U.S. Government guidelines
and Specially tailored enrichment activities.

After three years, U.S. universities have agreed to cover the remaining expenses toward completion of a Ph.D.

The International Fulbright Science and Technology Fellowship program provides no additional funding to support dependents.

Eligibility

The applicant should

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 and India;
have a high level of academic/professional achievement;
be proficient in English with a recent TOEFL score (or equivalent, like IELTS), of 580 or higher. Candidates who do not have valid TOEFL scores at the time of application but are selected as nominees, will be required to take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL);
be present in India at the time of submitting the application and for the interview, if required;
be eligible for leave, if employed;
be in good health;
not be applying for or holding permanent residence (green card) in the United States;
hold a valid Indian passport
Have completed an equivalent of a U.S. bachelor's degree from a recognized Indian university with at least 60% marks. Applicants should either possess a four-year bachelor's degree or a completed master's degree.

Eligible Field of Study

Eligible fields include Aeronautics and Aeronautical Engineering, Agriculture (theoretical or research-based focus only), Astronomy/Planetary Sciences, Biology, Biomedical Engineering, Chemistry, Computer Sciences/Engineering, Energy, Engineering (aerospace, electrical, chemical, civil, industrial, mechanical, ocean, and petroleum), Environmental Science/Engineering (theoretical or science research-based focus only), Geology/Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, Information Sciences and Systems (engineering focus only), Materials Science/Engineering, Mathematics, Neurosciences, Oceanography, Public Health (biostatistics or epidemiology) and Physics.

Application procedure

To avail the scholarship one can apply online along with supporting documents. For instructions on completing the Fulbright International Science and Technology Award Program On-line Application, please check the official website

• A complete application includes:
• a clearly written study and research objective
• a clearly written personal statement
• a professional resume or curriculum vitae
• Three letters of reference
• Official (scanned and attached to the online application) academic transcripts from each post-secondary institution attended, or sent to USIEF, New Delhi
• English language test scores (when available)
• GRE General and GRE subject exam test scores (when available)

Selection

The International Fulbright Science and Technology Award is a merit-based, open competition. After the deadline, a panel of specialists will review all eligible applications in India and nominate three Indian candidates. USIEF will forward the Indian nominations to the U.S. for a technical review of all nominee applications. After the technical review, nominees from each country will be presented for review to a U.S.-based selection committee, which will include prominent academics and professionals in the appropriate scientific fields.

The Indian candidates recommended as nominees must take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), as well as the General Graduate Record Examination (GRE) such that the scores are available by end of July of the respective year of application. Candidates, who do not have valid GRE scores at the time of application but are selected as nominees, will be required to take the GRE General Test. A nominee is expected to have achieved a quantitative score of at least 700. In addition, a GRE subject test will be required of all candidates selected as nominees for the following fields of study: biology; biochemistry; cell and molecular biology; chemistry; computer science; mathematics; and physics. The GRE Subject testing occurs in the month of November in India. USIEF will provide test fee vouchers for taking the required tests.

Applicants who have taken tests should submit copies of their score reports along with their applications by the May 1 deadline.

The U.S. based committee will make its selection from applications worldwide. Applications of candidates selected by the U.S-based committee will then be forwarded for approval to the Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board and then placement by IIE. IIE will identify appropriate U.S. institutions and apply on the behalf of finalists, taking into consideration their fields of study and research interests to ensure the best placement available. If a recommended candidate has previously applied to U.S. institutions and has requested a deferral from the institution, the candidate should indicate this on the university preference page on the application form.

Useful Contacts

USIEF
Fulbright House
12 Hailey Road
New Delhi 110001
E-mail: Contact I
Phone: +91-11-4209-0909/2332-8944
Fax: +91-11-2332-9718
Website: www.usief.org.in

Regional Offices

Chennai

USIEF Regional Office
American Consulate Building
Mount Road, Anna Salai
Chennai 600 006
Email: Contact I
Phone: +91-44-2857-4423/ 4131
Fax: +91-44-2811-2075

Kolkata

USIEF Regional Office
The American Center
38A, Jawaharlal Nehru Road
Kolkata 700 071
E-mail: Contact I
Phone: +91-33-3984 6300
Fax: +91-33-2288-1636

Mumbai

USIEF Regional Office
Maker Bhawan 1
IInd Floor New Marine Lines
Mumbai 400 020
Email: Contact I
Phone: +91-22-2262-4603
Fax: +91-22-2266-3956

Tags

PhD scholarship abroad , US scholarships , US education

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