Overview

The Fulbright-Kalam Climate Fellowships aim to enhance long-term capacity for addressing climate change challenges in both India and the U.S. These fellowships are intended for Indian scholars currently pursuing a Ph.D. at an Indian institution, with a duration of six to nine months.

The fellowship fields encompass a wide range of climate-related topics, including, but not limited to: clean energy technologies and energy transition, climate and health, climate finance, climate justice and equity, climate resilience, mitigation, and adaptation, climate-smart agriculture, climatology, emerging technologies (such as applied AI for climate/agriculture, high-performance computing/quantum computing for climate mitigation, and biotechnology), critical minerals supply chains, disaster resilience, green mobility, sustainable buildings and construction, oceanography, renewable energy, and sustainability.

Who Can Apply?

• Applicants should have conducted relevant research, especially in identifying resources in India and the U.S.
• Ph.D. Enrollment: Applicants must be enrolled in a Ph.D. program at an Indian institution on or before November 1, 2023.
• Recommendation Letter: One of the recommendation letters must be from the Ph.D. supervisor, detailing:
  • Applicant's research and the need for the fellowship.
  • Ph.D. registration date and research topic.
• Ph.D. Thesis Timeline: The expected Ph.D. thesis submission date must be at least three months after the Fulbright-Kalam fellowship ends. For example, if the grant ends in May 2026, the thesis cannot be submitted before August 2026.
• Applicant Annexure: Applicants must include the Ph.D. registration date and expected thesis submission date in the Applicant Annexure.
• Employer's Endorsement (if applicable):
  • Employed applicants must follow instructions for obtaining the employer's endorsement.
  • The employer must confirm that leave will be granted for the fellowship period.
• Published Paper or Thesis Extract: Applicants must upload a copy of a published/presented paper or extracts from their Master’s/M.Phil. thesis (up to 20 pages) in the online application.
• Eligibility: Fellowships are for pre-doctoral research. Applicants with a completed Ph.D. or those in the final stages of submitting their Ph.D. thesis are not eligible.

Application Procedure

Applications are to be submitted online, along with a letter of invitation from a U.S. institution (if available), a recent significant publication, and endorsement from the applicant’s employer. The application requires careful detailing of research goals and institutional affiliation in the U.S.

What Financial Support is Available?

Includes J-1 visa support, monthly stipend, air travel, settling-in allowance, and, if funds permit, a dependent allowance for one accompanying dependent.

Hear from Alumni

The program has a strong alumni network of researchers and professionals contributing to climate change mitigation across both nations.

Other Details

Fellowship duration is 4 to 9 months. Applicants are encouraged to secure affiliations with U.S. institutions before applying.  

Affiliation
The chosen candidate will be affiliated with a U.S. host institution.

USIEF strongly advises all applicants to identify their preferred institutions for affiliation and reach out to potential host institutions beforehand. If the applicant has already secured a letter of invitation from a U.S. institution, it should be included in the online application. The letter must specify the duration of the visit, ideally with dates. Selected scholars will have the opportunity to audit non-degree courses, conduct research, and gain practical work experience in appropriate settings in the U.S.

For More Information

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