New Scholarships Open for Indian Students to Study Abroad: Deadlines approaching fast

Apply now for Fulbright-Nehru and University Living scholarships for Indian students. Don't miss this opportunity for financial aid.
March 20, 2024 Education News

Discover opportunities for Indian students to pursue higher education abroad through the Fulbright-Nehru fellowship, the University Living Social Scholarship programme, and the Macquarie University Vice-Chancellor’s International Scholarship. Key Highlights:

  • Fulbright-Nehru Fellowship: Intended for Indian students pursuing a two-year master’s degree in the United States. Available in ten fields listed on the USIEF website.Offers benefits including J-1 visa support, air travel, fee and tuition funds, living expenses, and insurance coverage. Applications are to be submitted online by May 15, 2024. Finalists are required to take TOEFL and GRE tests.
  • University Living Social Scholarship Programme: Offers scholarships worth Rs 10 million. The deadline to apply is May 31, 2024. Open to students pursuing undergraduate and postgraduate degrees or diplomas in the UK or Australia.
  • Macquarie University Vice-Chancellor’s International Scholarship: Macquarie University announces the Macquarie University Vice-Chancellor’s International Scholarship valued at AUD 40,000 to support outstanding international students pursuing higher education in Australia. Applications are now open.

Read the full article to learn more about these scholarships, eligibility criteria, and how to apply. 

Govt. Announces Fulbright –Nehru Scholarship for Indian Students 

In what comes as good news for Indian students who want to study abroad, the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India, has announced the beginning of the Fulbright –Nehru as well as other Fulbright fellowships for Indian citizens, the Times of India has reported. 

The United States-India Educational Foundation is now accepting applications from Indian citizens for the 2025-26 academic session.  

According to the US Embassy, the USIEF has announced the opening of the annual competition for the fellowships, which are financed by the US Department of State and Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India. 

What is the Fulbright-Nehru Fellowship?

The Fulbright-Nehru fellowship is named after J William Fulbright, an American political leader, and Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, former Prime Minister of India. It is meant for Indian students who have completed the equivalent of an American bachelor’s degree programme and wish to pursue a master’s degree in the United States. It would be a two-year master’s course at one of the designated universities in the US. It is offered in 10 fields, which have been listed on the website, www.usief.org.in. These fields are Economics, Environmental Science/Studies, Higher Education Administration, International Affairs, International Legal Studies, Journalism and Mass Communication, Public Administration, Public Health, Urban and Regional Planning, and Women’s Studies/Gender Studies. 

Benefits of the fellowship

The fellowship would help Indian students with J-1 visa support (A j-1 visa is a non-immigrant visa issued by the United States to research scholars, professors, and exchange visitors), air travel from the applicant’s native place to the host institution in the United States, funds for fee and tuition, living expenses as well as accident and sickness coverage in line with rules and regulations of the United States government. 

Eligibility Criteria

  • According to USIEF, candidates must have completed the equivalent of a US bachelor’s degree from a recognized Indian university with at least 55% marks. They must have a four-year bachelor’s degree a master’s degree or a full-time postgraduate diploma from a recognized Indian institution, in case the bachelor’s degree is of less than four-year duration. 
  • Applicants must have full-time paid work experience of at least three years. Such experience should also be relevant to the proposed field of study. 
  • Besides, applicants need to show experience in leadership and community service and must not have another degree from a US university or be enrolled in a US degree programme. 
  • Applicants who are working professionals also need to follow instructions about the employer’s endorsement carefully. The employer must agree to grant leave for the fellowship period. 

According to the US Embassy, such exchanges are aimed at forging closer ties between citizens of India and the United States of America. The fellowship opens up avenues enriching the academic, research, teaching, and professional capacity of the fellows. The Embassy also said that people who have availed of such exchange and scholarship programmes have displayed strong leadership abilities in their chosen fields. The fellowship is open to outstanding Indian students, scholars, artists, and professionals.  

How to apply

  1. Applications are to be submitted online at: https://apply.iie.org/ffsp2025
  2. Candidates are to carefully review the FNMaster’s Applicant Instructions before starting the online applications. 
  3. Candidates have been advised to carefully peruse the FNMaster’s Applicant Checklist before applying. They are also required to complete the FNMaster’s Applicant Annexure and FNMaster’s Employer’s Endorsement Form (if applicable). 
  4. The deadline for submission of the application is May 15, 2024 (23:59hrs IST). Applications will be reviewed by the end of June 2024. Candidates will be informed about the outcome of the review by early August 2024. Interviews of shortlisted candidates will be held at the end of August 2024 and principal as well as alternate nominees will be notified in the same month. They are then required to take tests such as TOEFL and GRE. 
  5. In October 2024, USIEF will forward applications of recommended candidates to the US for J William Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board (FFSB) approval and placement. Finalists will be notified about FFSB approval in March/April 2025 and pre-departure notification will be done in May/June 2025. The degree programme will begin in August/September 2025.

University Living Social Scholarship programme

University Living, a global provider of student accommodation, has launched the third edition of its social scholarship programme. The initiative is aimed at providing financial help to Indian students studying abroad. 

An official release by University Living said that scholarships worth Rs 10 million will be provided to selected Indian students. The deadline to apply is May 31, 2024. 

According to a Hindustan Times report, the scholarship programme is meant for Indian students pursuing undergraduate and postgraduate degrees or diplomas in the UK or Australia. The program aims at encouraging students who are actively working to bring about positive social change. Those interested can apply for the scholarship at the official University Living website; universityliving.com/scholarship. 

To be eligible for the scholarship, applicants must have received an offer at a university in the UK or Australia.

The Hindustan Times report said that the scholarship is available exclusively for full-time students and is valid for the July intake for Australian students and the September intake for UK students. 

Macquarie University Offers AUD 40,000 Scholarship to International Students

Macquarie University has unveiled an exciting opportunity for international students with the announcement of a prestigious scholarship worth AUD 40,000, according to a news report by Indian Express. This scholarship aims to support outstanding individuals seeking to pursue their higher education at one of Australia’s leading institutions.

The scholarship, known as the Macquarie University Vice-Chancellor’s International Scholarship, is designed to recognize academic excellence and provide financial assistance to deserving students. With a value of AUD 40,000, recipients of this scholarship will receive significant support towards their tuition fees, enabling them to focus on their studies and achieve their academic goals.

One of the distinguishing features of this scholarship is its broad eligibility criteria. Students from all academic disciplines and nationalities are encouraged to apply, making it accessible to a diverse range of applicants. Whether pursuing undergraduate or postgraduate studies, candidates who demonstrate exceptional academic achievements, leadership potential, and a commitment to making a positive impact in their communities will be considered for this prestigious award.

In addition to financial support, recipients of the Macquarie University Vice-Chancellor’s International Scholarship will benefit from the university’s vibrant and inclusive learning environment. As a global institution renowned for its academic excellence and innovative research, Macquarie University offers students access to world-class facilities, expert faculty, and a diverse community of scholars from around the globe.

Commenting on the launch of the scholarship programme, Professor S. Bruce Dowton, Vice-Chancellor of Macquarie University, expressed his enthusiasm for supporting talented students from diverse backgrounds. He emphasized the university’s commitment to fostering a culture of excellence and inclusivity, stating that the scholarship aims to empower students to reach their full potential and become future leaders in their chosen fields.

Applications for the Macquarie University Vice-Chancellor’s International Scholarship are now open. Interested students are encouraged to visit the university’s official website for more information on eligibility criteria, application requirements, and submission deadlines. Don’t miss this opportunity to pursue your academic aspirations at Macquarie University and unlock your potential for success!

For more details about the scholarship and how to apply, visit the official Macquarie University website or contact the university’s International Admissions Office.