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If you are someone who has always wanted to pursue a PhD in humanities, social sciences or environmental studies, the Jawaharlal Nehru Memorial Fund (JNMF) Scholarship could be the first step you need to take. The program provides support to Indian and Asian nationals only, to provide funding to support your doctoral research in India.
Created to commemorate the legacy of India’s first Prime Minister, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, this scholarship fund is aimed at empowering passionate and skilled researchers whose research is on topics related to India’s unique life and development, traditions, and modern-day challenges.
Let’s take a look at what the JNMF Scholarship is, who is eligible, what the benefits of the JNMF and why it is imperative to facilitate the emergence of future scholars.
What is the Jawaharlal Nehru Memorial Fund (JNMF) Scholarship?
Objectives of the JNMF Scholarship
Scholarship Benefits and Financial Support
How to Apply for the JNMF Scholarship?
Why the JNMF Scholarship Matters
What is the Jawaharlal Nehru Memorial Fund (JNMF) Scholarship?
The JNMF Scholarship is a distinguished academic fellowship for full-time PhD students from India and the rest of Asia. It is intended for those who work on doctoral research in India in the fields of:
- History and Indian Civilization
- Sociology
- Economics
- Comparative Religion
- Ecology & Environment
The scholarship covers two years of support, allowing candidates to carry out valuable, India-based research without financial stress.
Objectives of the JNMF Scholarship
The JNMF scholarship has a clear mission, both academically and culturally. The objectives of the scholarship are to:
- Stimulate original and impactful doctoral work
- Promote studies of Indian humanities, social sciences and ecology
- Support students from diverse and disadvantaged backgrounds
- Facilitate collaborations in research across borders in Asia
- Assist scholars in being free to focus on their studies without financial hindrance
The scholarship strives to create a strong catalyst in building a network of independent researchers who seek to be socially conscious at the regional level.
Who Can Apply?
The JNMF Scholarship is available to both Indian citizens and citizens from other Asian countries. The eligibility criteria are specific for the 2025–26 academic cycle:
- You must be registered for a full-time PhD at an Indian university recognized by the Government of India. (Just being applied for a PhD is not sufficient.)
- You must have at least 60% marks in both UG and PG levels.
- You must have a first-class PG degree.
- You must be aged 35 years or younger on the date of eligibility.
- A relaxation of up to 5 years is available for:
- SC, ST, OBC (Non-Creamy Layer)
- EWS candidates
- Persons with Disabilities (PwD)
- Women
- Third gender applicants
- Armed Forces candidates
You cannot receive any other scholarship, fellowship, grant or financial aid at the time of application.
Scholarship Benefits and Financial Support
If selected, scholars receive:
- ₹18,000 per month (includes tuition support and living stipend)
- ₹15,000 per year for study tours, books, stationery, etc.
- Support duration: Up to 2 years, based on academic progress and supervisor reports.
This financial support allows you to fully focus on research, fieldwork, and writing without the stress of economic limitations.
How to Apply for the JNMF Scholarship?
The application process for JNMF is quite straightforward and offline:
Step 1: Download the Application Form
- The detailed application form is available for download on our website, jnmf.in under the 2025-26 cycle.
Step 2: Complete the Form
- Fill out the application form with accurate personal, academic and research information.
Step 3: Attach required paperwork
The following must be included-
- Recent passport photo
- PhD synopsis (approximately 1500 words)
- Recommendation Letter from your supervisor or PhD committee
- PhD Registration Certificate
- Self-attested marksheets/certificates (UG and PG)
- Caste/Category certificate, where applicable
- Demand Draft (DD) or Postal Order for 100 rupees.
- SC/ST candidates are exempted from paying this fee
Step 4: Submit your application via post
Mail all of the above to:
Administrative Secretary
Jawaharlal Nehru Memorial Fund
Teen Murti House
New Delhi – 110011
Step 5: Meet the deadline
- The deadline for the application submission is May 31, 2025
- There are some years where the application deadline is extended to August 31, so check the website frequently.
Summary of Required Documents
Here’s a checklist of what to submit:
Recent passport-size photo
PhD synopsis (1,500 words approx.)
Recommendation from supervisor or doctoral committee
PhD registration certificate
UG and PG marksheets & certificates (self-attested)
Caste/category certificate (if applicable)
Demand Draft or Postal Order of ₹100 (except SC/ST)
Selection Process
The selection process for JNMF is a two step process.
Step 1: Screening Stage
- Applications will be screened by the scholar’s eligibility and determining whether the application is complete.
Step 2: Interview
- Only short listed candidates will be invited to an interview, generally occurring in January – February
Step 3: Final Decision
- The final decision will be made by the selection committee, and awarded inflation scholarship will commence on April 1st, 2026.
Why the JNMF Scholarship Matters
The Jawaharlal Nehru Memorial Fund Scholarship is not merely a financial contribution; it is a chance to do the following:
- Investigate serious, challenging, and important research about the culture, society, and environment of India
- Engage with a rich and diverse academic community all across Asia
- Be within a supportive, recognized field in which you can grow
- Empower yourself and empower others with diverse and underrepresented backgrounds
- Build a foundation for an independent academic career
From researching India’s history, to exploring economic restructuring, to investigating the ecological potential of India, JNMF allows you the space to do it all.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. Are foreign nationals eligible to apply for the JNMF Scholarship?
Ans. Yes, foreign nationals can apply only if they come from an Asian country.
Q2. What are the upper age limits for the Jawaharlal Nehru Memorial Fund Scholarship and how do they relax it?
Ans. One must be less than 35 years old, but relaxations of up to 5 years are allowed for SC/ST/OBC-NCL/EWS/PwD/Women/Third-Gender/Armed Forces categories.
Q3. Can I accept any other scholarships while applying for Jawaharlal Nehru Memorial Fund Scholarship?
Ans. No, a candidate must not be benefiting from any other scholarships while receiving the JNMF award.
Q4. What happens if I miss the deadline to apply?
Ans. Applications that are late or incomplete will be deemed invalid and rejected automatically.
Q5. When do interviews take place for shortlisted applications?
Ans. Interviews are scheduled around January and February of the year subsequent to the application submission.
Conclusion
JNMF Scholarship is a great opportunity for those who want to investigate India’s abundant intellectual, cultural and ecological heritage with scholarly research. The financial support, recognition and ability to research deep topics allow scholars to develop work that matters, not only to academics but also to society.
If you have a desire to contribute to India’s development through original research, then this should be your first step towards pursuing your PhD.
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