India sends one of the largest international student populations to the United States, and that scale has produced a correspondingly deep set of India-specific foundations alongside the usual US-based fellowships.
The ten options below combine Indian philanthropic funding with broader US scholarships, and work well alongside the general list of [fully funded scholarships in the USA](/fully-funded-scholarships-in-usa/).
1. Fulbright-Nehru Master’s Fellowships
This India-specific branch of the Fulbright program funds a one to two year master’s degree at a US university, covering tuition, a stipend, airfare, and health insurance for strong Indian applicants.
2. Inlaks Shivdasani Foundation Scholarships
This long-running Indian foundation funds postgraduate study at top global universities, including many in the US, covering tuition and living costs for exceptionally strong candidates across most fields.
3. JN Tata Endowment Loan Scholarship
The JN Tata Endowment offers a hybrid loan-scholarship for Indian students pursuing postgraduate study abroad, with part of the award structured as a low-interest loan repayable after graduation.
4. KC Mahindra Scholarship for Postgraduate Studies Abroad
This scholarship supports outstanding Indian students pursuing a master’s degree overseas, including in the US, with funding intended to help cover a portion of tuition and living costs.
5. Narotam Sekhsaria Foundation Scholarship
This foundation provides a scholarship-loan combination for Indian students admitted to top-ranked postgraduate programs abroad, with selection based on both academic merit and financial need.
6. AAUW International Fellowships
Indian women pursuing graduate study in the US can apply for the [AAUW International Fellowship](/aauw-international-fellowship/), which has a consistent history of supporting Indian applicants.
7. Clark University Global Scholars Program
Clark University’s full-tuition undergraduate scholarship regularly admits strong Indian applicants with demonstrated academic achievement and leadership experience.
8. Berea College No-Tuition Promise
The [Berea College No-Tuition Promise](/berea-college-no-tuition-promise/) has admitted a small number of Indian undergraduates in recent years, with campus work built into the arrangement.
9. P.E.O. International Peace Scholarship
Indian women pursuing graduate study at a US or Canadian university can apply for this scholarship, intended to help cover tuition and related costs.
10. Rotary Global Grant Scholarship
Active Rotary clubs across India sponsor candidates for US graduate study connected to one of the organization’s recognized areas of focus, such as disease prevention or water and sanitation.
Because several Indian foundations like Inlaks, JN Tata, and Narotam Sekhsaria run their own separate application cycles with distinct deadlines, tracking each one individually in a shared calendar helps avoid missing a strong-fit opportunity.
Indian applicants should also prepare for the standard US visa interview at a consulate in Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, or Hyderabad well ahead of the intended travel date, since appointment availability can vary significantly by season.
Keeping academic transcripts, standardized test scores, and foundation application essays organized in one shared folder saves considerable time when applying to several Indian foundations and US scholarships within the same cycle.
A clearly written statement of purpose that ties specific coursework or research interests to a concrete career plan tends to stand out more to both US admissions committees and Indian foundation panels than a broad account of academic interests.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Fulbright-Nehru different from the regular Fulbright program?
It operates under the broader Fulbright umbrella but is specifically branded and coordinated for Indian applicants through the United States-India Educational Foundation.
Do Indian foundations like Inlaks require repayment?
Some, like JN Tata and Narotam Sekhsaria, structure part of the award as a loan, while others, like Inlaks Shivdasani, are closer to a traditional non-repayable scholarship.
Can undergraduate Indian students apply for any of these programs?
Yes, Clark University Global Scholars and Berea College’s tuition-free policy are both aimed at incoming undergraduates.
Is work experience required for these scholarships?
It varies. Foundation scholarships generally weigh academic merit most heavily, while Rotary Global Grant Scholarships often favor applicants with some relevant experience.
How competitive are Indian foundation scholarships like Inlaks Shivdasani?
Extremely competitive, since a small number of awards are given each year against a large pool of highly qualified applicants from across India.
Do these scholarships require Indian applicants to return home after graduating?
Government-linked programs like Fulbright-Nehru generally expect a return to India for a defined period, while most foundation scholarships carry no such formal requirement.
Are English test scores required for Indian applicants?
Many US universities waive the TOEFL or IELTS requirement for applicants whose prior education was conducted in English, which is common in India, though this varies by institution.