Khorana Scholarship (Khorana Program for Scholars): Complete guide for 2026–27

The prestigious Khorana Program for Scholars offers a life-changing opportunity for bright Indian students to gain invaluable research experience through a fully-funded summer internship at leading US universities. Named in honor of Nobel Laureate Dr. Har Gobind Khorana, this tripartite program, supported by the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Govt. of India, the Indo-US Science and Technology Forum (IUSSTF), and WINStep Forward, typically runs for 10-12 weeks during the summer, usually between May and July. The scholarship is aimed at pre-final year undergraduate and postgraduate students in Biotechnology and allied areas (including agricultural, food, health, biomedical sciences, and interdisciplinary fields like Computational Sciences, Big Data, and Machine Learning) and provides comprehensive coverage including round-trip airfare, a fixed stipend (typically US$3,000 for the entire duration), and health insurance. This internship is designed to expose students to world-class scientific facilities, foster long-term Indo-US research collaborations, and encourage them to pursue higher education and research careers.

In this complete guide for the 2026-27 application cycle, we provide an in-depth look at the program’s objectives, detailed eligibility criteria (including the minimum CGPA/percentage requirement), the application process, and essential tips for The application for the Khorana Program for Scholars is strictly online through the official portal. Hard copies or electronic copies sent via email (outside of the portal/confidential LORs) are not accepted.securing this coveted research experience.

Scholarship Name	Khorana Program for Scholars
Countries Providing	India (DBT) & USA (IUSSTF, WINStep Forward)
Host Country	United States of America (USA)
Target Audience	Indian Pre-final year UG/PG students in Biotechnology and allied areas (B.Tech, M.Tech, M.Sc, MBBS, etc.).
Award (Coverage & Benefits)	Stipend: Typically $3,000 USD for 10-12 weeks.
	Airfare: Round-trip international economy airfare.
	Insurance: Health insurance (typically up to $600 USD).
	Duration: 10-12 week summer research internship.
Tentative Deadline (2026-27)	Early October 2025
Submission Method	Online Application only through the IUSSTF Online Application Portal for Visitation Programs.
Official Link for Apply	IUSSTF Khorana Program for Scholars (Check for 2026-27 Announcement)

Benefits of Khorana Scholarship (Khorana Program for Scholars)

The Khorana Program for Scholars offers a variety of substantial benefits, both financial and academic, primarily centered around a 10-12 week summer research internship at premier U.S. universities for Indian students.

• Fully Funded Internship: The program covers the major expenses for the 10-12 week summer research internship in the U.S.
• Stipend: Provides a $3,000 USD stipend for the duration to cover daily living expenses.
• Airfare Covered: Includes a round-trip international airfare ticket (economy class) from India to the U.S. host institution.
• Health Insurance: Provides coverage for Health Insurance (typically up to $600 USD) as required by U.S. federal regulations and the host university.
• World-Class Research Exposure: Gain hands-on experience in top-tier U.S. university labs with cutting-edge facilities.
• Expert Mentorship: Work directly under renowned international scientists in your field of study.
• Enhanced CV/Resume: Significantly boosts your academic profile for future graduate applications (MS, PhD) in the U.S. and globally.
• Global Networking: Build a valuable professional network with American and Indian researchers.
• Career Direction: Promotes and encourages undergraduate and postgraduate students to pursue research-based careers.

Eligibility Criteria for Khorana Scholarship (Khorana Program for Scholars)

The Khorana Program for Scholars has strict criteria regarding citizenship, academic year, degree, and minimum grades.

• Citizenship: Must be an Indian Citizen currently enrolled in a recognized Institution of Higher Education in India.
• Academic Year: Must be a Pre-final Year student. You must have a minimum of one year remaining for the completion of your course after the internship period.
  • Ineligible: First Year, Final Year, and Ph.D. students are NOT eligible.
• Eligible Programs: Students from the following degrees (and equivalent integrated courses) can apply:
  • B.Tech., M.Tech., B.E., M.E., M.S., B.Sc., M.Sc., B.V. Sc., M.V. Sc., B. Pharm., M. Pharm., MBBS, and Master in Medical Science and Technology (MMST).
• Field of Study: The application must be in Biotechnology and Allied Areas, including:
  • Agricultural, Food, Health, Biomedical Sciences, and interdisciplinary areas like Computational Sciences, Big Data, and Machine Learning.
• Minimum Academic Score: Must meet one of the following criteria:
  • Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA): 8.0 or higher.
  • Percentage: 80% or higher.
  • MBBS Students: Minimum 65% or higher.
• Prior Experience: Preference is usually given to students without prior international research experience.

Also Read: Fully Funded Scholarships in USA for International Students

Application Process for Khorana Scholarship (Khorana Program for Scholars)

The application for the Khorana Program for Scholars is strictly online through the official portal. Hard copies or electronic copies sent via email (outside of the portal/confidential LORs) are not accepted.

The application process is centralized and typically follows these steps:

1. Online Registration:

• Sign up/Register on the IUSSTF Online Application Portal for Visitation Programs.
• Verify your account using the link sent to your registered email ID. Check spam/junk folders.

2. Form Completion:

• Log in to the portal using your credentials.
• Select “Apply for – Start Application” to begin the form.
• Fill in all required personal, academic, and research details accurately.
• You can Save the progress and retrieve the information later using your login credentials.

3. Document Upload:

• Upload scanned copies of all required supporting documents (see list below). Ensure all documents adhere to the prescribed format and check-list.

4. Submission:

• Review the entire form carefully. You cannot edit the application after submission.
• Submit the online application before the deadline.
• You will receive an automatic email confirmation of receipt, and you can download a PDF copy of your completed application.

Required Supporting Documents

You must upload the following documents and ensure the Recommendation Letters (LORs) are submitted:

• Academic Transcript/Marksheet
• No-Objection Certificate (NOC)
• Letters of Recommendation (LORs)
• Passport

Selection Process for Khorana Scholarship (Khorana Program for Scholars)

The selection process for the Khorana Program for Scholars is merit-based and involves a three-tiered screening conducted by subject experts. There are no personal interviews.

Eligible applications are reviewed and shortlisted based on the following criteria:

• Academic Background and Credentials: Your Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) or percentage is a primary factor. The general minimum is a CGPA of 8.0 or higher (or 80% or higher).
• Research Interests, Project Ideas, and Career Goals: The clarity and relevance of your Statement of Purpose (SOP) are crucial. This should include your proposed research area and how the internship fits into your future career.
• Research Experience and Technical Background: Any prior research experience, internships, technical courses, or lab work will strengthen your application. Preference is often given to students without prior international research experience.
• Need to Conduct Research in the U.S.: Justification for why your proposed research specifically requires a U.S. placement.
• Publications/Poster Presentations (if any): Any scholarly output is a plus.

Three-Tiered Screening Process

The evaluation is generally completed within a few months, and the schedule follows the annual application cycle (typically starting in the fall for the following summer’s internship):

Stage	Process	Timeline
Stage 1	Preliminary Screening	October onwards
Stage 2	Review Process (Shortlisting by Subject Experts)	November
Stage 3	Final Screening and Selection of Scholars	December
Award Announcement	Notification to Selected Candidates	End of December to End of January
Placement	Host Identification and Placement by WINStep Forward (WSF)	January – March

Placement Process After Selection

Once you are selected, the program coordinators (IUSSTF and WINStep Forward) will assist you in the placement process:

1. Selected candidates are asked to identify a list of U.S. professors (typically up to three, in order of priority) based on matching areas of interest.
2. WINStep Forward (WSF) contacts the U.S. professors and invites them to host a student for the program.

Tips for a Successful Khorana Scholarship Application for 2026-27

The Khorana Program for Scholars is highly competitive, and a successful application requires strategic planning. Here are essential tips, categorized by application component, for a successful Khorana Scholarship application for the 2026-27 cycle:

• Maintain High CGPA: Ensure your cumulative academic score is 8.0 CGPA / 80% or higher (minimum 65% for MBBS).
• Gain Research Experience: Actively pursue and complete solid research projects or internships in India to build your practical skills.
• Articulate Clear Goals: Define your specific short-term and long-term career goals in science or technology.
• Write a Focused SOP: Craft a powerful Statement of Purpose (SOP) that clearly narrates your motivation and links your past work to your future research vision.
• Justify the U.S. Need: Explicitly explain why your proposed research requires access to world-class U.S. facilities or expertise.
• Highlight Technical Skills: Mention specific techniques, computational tools, or lab experience relevant to biotechnology/allied fields.
• Secure Strong LORs: Choose two recommenders (one academic, one research supervisor) who can speak to your potential and work ethic in detail.
• Ensure Pre-Final Year Status: Confirm that you have at least one year of your course remaining after the internship period (you must be a pre-final year student).
• Prepare Documentation Early: Start gathering all required documents (latest mark sheets, No-Objection Certificate, etc.) well ahead of the deadline.
• Apply for a Passport: If you don’t have one, apply immediately, as it is essential for the visa process upon selection.

Also Read: Undergraduate Scholarships in the USA

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