Who administers the Fulbright-Kalam Climate Fellowship?

The fellowship is administered by the United States-India Educational Foundation (USIEF).

What areas of research does the Fulbright-Kalam Climate Fellowship cover?

It covers climate science, energy, sustainable agriculture, public health, and environmental science.

What are the eligibility requirements for this fellowship?

Applicants must be Indian citizens registered for a PhD in a relevant field at an Indian institution.

What benefits does the fellowship provide?

Benefits include a monthly stipend, J-1 visa support, health insurance, round-trip airfare, and allowances for settling and professional needs.

What documents are required for the application?

Required documents include a CV, research objectives, personal statement, PhD registration proof, recommendation letters, and, if applicable, an employer endorsement.

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Fulbright-Kalam Climate Fellowship: An Opportunity For Gold For Indian Scholars

Neha Gupta

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Updated: 28-01-2025 at 7:09 AM

Fulbright-Kalam Climate Fellowship: An Opportunity For Gold For Indian Scholars

The Fulbright-Kalam Climate Fellowship is a one-of-a-kind scholarship scheme between the Government of India and the United States of America, under which this valuable opportunity is offered to Indian scholars to be able to contribute to research on climate change. If you plan to go abroad for studies, you should read our post till the end.

Name of the fellowship	Fullbright-Kalam Climate Fellowship
Administered by	United States-India Educational Foundation (USIEF)
Objective	To promote long-term academic and cultural exchanges between the USA and India in addressing climate change issues through research and innovation
Areas of focus	Climate science, energy, sustainable agriculture, public health, and environmental science
Eligibility	Indians with a PhD in a relevant field
Types of fellowship	Doctoral research and Postdoctoral research
Application cycle	Annually

About The Scholarship

These fellowships are structured in a way that enhances expertise in that area for further collaborative works on climate change issues, making it a very precious and highly demanded opportunity for doctoral candidates. Like the national overseas scholarship for SC students, this fellowship also gives opportunities to scholars who are seeking international exposure to add to their academic credentials.

The fellowship primarily targets Indian scholars registered for a PhD at Indian institutions to undertake research work deemed indispensable in the U.S. for six to nine months. Study areas that the fellowship will encompass range from clean energy technologies to climate-smart agriculture and disaster resilience, among others. This is in line with the general objective of building long-term capacities for addressing climate change in both India and the U.S., just like the national overseas scholarship scheme for SC 2024 does for students who are undergoing or have been accepted to pursue higher education abroad.

Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible to apply for the Fulbright-Kalam Climate Fellowship, the applicants must meet the following criteria:

Ph.D. Registration: Applicants should be registered for a PhD in an Indian institute on or before 1st November 2023. This fellowship shall apply to the candidates for PhD during the early to mid-stages of their doctoral research, akin to the stipulation in the national overseas scholarship for SC.
Ph.D. Completion Timeline: The expected date for the completion of the PhD should be at least three months after the end date of the fellowship. For example, if the fellowship ends in May 2026, the applicant's thesis submission should not be earlier than August 2026.
Research Objectives: The applicant should have clearly defined research objectives that are integral to their dissertation or thesis. The objectives of the research must fall into the scope of the fellowship and, above all, show the need for conducting the research in the United States.
Institutional Affiliation: The applicant must identify a U.S. institution in which they may be interested in hosting the research. An invitation letter from the host institution specifying the proposed dates of the visit is strongly encouraged and should be included with the application.
Permission of Employer (wherever applicable): If an applicant is employed, then the employer's endorsement should be taken regarding the grant of leave to the candidate during fellowship tenure.
Publications and Research Experience: The applicants are supposed to upload a copy of any significant academic publication or present paper associated with their research. It may be an extract from the Master's or M.Phil. thesis or any other useful document associated with research work.
Non-eligibility: Candidates who have already completed their PhD or are in the final stage of submitting their thesis are not eligible for this fellowship. This fellowship is specifically for pre-doctoral level research, similar to the SC ST overseas scholarship, which targets students in the early stages of their academic journey.

Benefits

Fulbright-Kalam Climate Fellows benefit from the following:

J-1 Visa Support: Reimbursement for the expenses incurred for obtaining a J-1 visa.
Monthly Stipend: A monthly stipend given to awardees to cater for their living expenses throughout the fellowship in the United States.
Accident and Sickness Program for Exchanges: Health insurance benefits under the U.S. Government's Accident and Sickness Program for Exchanges.
Air Travel: Round-trip airfare, economy class, from the United States to India.
Other Miscellaneous Fees and Allowances: This part takes in the covering of various other miscellaneous fees and allowances of the fellowship, such as a reasonable modest settling-in allowance and professional allowance.
Academic Opportunities: There are possibilities for auditing non-degree courses, doing some research, and gaining practical experiences at U.S. institutions.

These benefits are developed to ensure that during one's stay in the United States, fellows will have enough time to dedicate themselves to their research without worrying about their finances. Similar benefits can be seen from other government programs, like the national overseas scholarship for OBC where financial aid is provided to students in such a way that they can gain their education from across the borders.

Application Process

The application for the Fulbright-Kalam Climate Fellowship proceeds in various stages. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to apply:

Visit the Official Application Portal: Start by visiting the Fulbright-Kalam Climate Fellowship application page.
Create an Account: New applicants may sign up to open a new account on the application portal. Ensure you use a valid email address, as all communication relating to your application will be sent to this email.
Log In and Fill Out the Application Form: Finish filling out the application form after signing in through the provided account. Provide full and accurate information on your educational history, personal particulars, and research objectives.
Prepare and Upload Required Documents: Review and Submit Your Application: Very carefully review all entered data and uploaded documents again before submitting them. Ensure that the data fields have been filled in properly and all documents are in PDF format. After you have successfully filled out your application, submit it online. An acknowledgement email regarding the receipt of your application will be sent to you.
Follow-up on Application Status: The review process will start after submission. You will be contacted if more information or interviews are needed before selection. Please await further information in your email about the application.

Documents Required

You will be expected to upload a number of the following important documents during the application process:

Curriculum Vitae (CV): Detailed information in an updated CV regarding all academic and professional experiences.
Research Objectives: A document that clearly states what you intend to achieve with your research during the fellowship.
Personal Statement: An essay about your background, what drives you to apply for a fellowship, and how a fellowship will lead to what you want to become in life.
Educational Certificates: Scanned copies of your educational certificates/transcripts.
Ph.D. Registration Certificate: Proof of PhD registration, indicating the date of enrolment.
Writing Sample: A sample of your academic writing, such as a research paper or an extract from your Master’s or M.Phil. dissertation.
Recommendation Letters: Three letters of recommendation from referees who can speak for your academic and research abilities.
Letter of Invitation (if available): A letter written by the proposed U.S. host institution in your project that invites you to conduct research at their institution, stating the duration of the visit.
Employer's Endorsement (if applicable): For employed applicants, upload the endorsement form signed by your employer, confirming leave granted for the period of the fellowship.

Conclusion

The Fulbright-Kalam Climate Fellowship is a unique opportunity for Indian scholars. Similar opportunities are being provided under the national overseas scholarship for SC students and the national overseas scholarship for OBC, which are of prime interest to study abroad in realising academic missions. Such initiatives support a scholar not only academically but also personally and professionally.

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