Khorana Scholarship

The Khorana Program for Scholars is a fully funded summer research internship offered jointly by the Department of Biotechnology, Government of India, the Indo-U.S. Science and Technology Forum, and WINStep Forward. It gives pre-final year Indian students in Biotechnology and allied fields the chance to conduct research at leading US universities for 10 to 12 weeks each summer.

The program covers round-trip economy airfare, a stipend of USD 3,000 (around ₹2,82,810), and health insurance of up to USD 600 (around ₹56,562). Selection is purely merit-based with no interviews, and preference goes to students without prior international research experience.

Applications go through the IUSSTF Online Application Portal, and the call typically opens in September to October each year.

Who is Eligible for the Khorana Scholarship 2026?

Before applying, check whether you actually qualify. This program is specifically for Indian students in Biotechnology and allied areas, with strict rules around degree level, academic performance, and year of study.

Here are the key eligibility conditions:

A. Academic and Educational Requirements

• Currently enrolled in B.Tech, M.Tech, B.Sc, M.Sc, B.E, M.E, MS, Integrated BS-MS, BVSc, MVSc, BPharm, MPharm, MBBS, or MMST at a recognised institution in India
• Field must be Biotechnology or allied areas, including agricultural sciences, food sciences, health sciences, biomedical sciences, or interdisciplinary areas like Computational Sciences, Big Data, and Machine Learning
• CGPA of 8.0 or above, or 80% and above. MBBS students are eligible with a minimum of 65%
• Must be a pre-final year student with at least one year remaining after the internship ends. For the 2026 call, degree completion must be in May 2027 or later

B. Nationality Criteria

• Must be an Indian citizen enrolled at a recognised Indian institution
• Students enrolled at foreign institutions are not eligible

Who May Not Be Eligible?

• First year, final year, or PhD students
• CGPA below 8.0 or percentage below 80%, or below 65% for MBBS
• Field outside Biotechnology and allied areas
• Less than one year remaining for degree completion after the internship
• Not an Indian citizen at a recognised Indian institution

Also Read: Top Fully Funded Scholarships for Indian Students: Best Study Abroad Scholarships 

Benefits of the Khorana Scholarship

The program covers all major costs for the 10 to 12 week summer research internship in the US.

Here's exactly what's included:

Category	What is Covered
Stipend	USD 3,000 (around INR 2.83 lakh) for the entire internship duration
Airfare	Round-trip economy-class airfare from India to the US host institution, up to USD 2,500 (around INR 2.36 lakh), booked by IUSSTF
Health Insurance	Up to USD 600 (around INR 56,562), as required by the host institution

Accommodation, visa fees, and tuition or bench fees are not covered. Your host institution or faculty mentor may help with housing, but that isn't guaranteed.

Other Benefits of the Khorana Scholarship

Beyond the financial support, here's what else the program offers:

• Hands-on research at premier US universities like Harvard, Stanford, Purdue, Yale, and MIT-affiliated institutions
• Direct mentorship from leading scientists and researchers in your field
• Access to world-class laboratory infrastructure not readily available in India
• A strong foundation for PhD programs or international research careers

Also Read: How to Study Abroad for Free: Countries & Scholarships 

How to Apply for the Khorana Scholarship?

The application is fully online through the IUSSTF Online Application Portal. Hard copies and email submissions aren't accepted.

Here's how the process works:

1. Check Eligibility: Before anything else, confirm you meet all requirements, degree level, field of study, CGPA, year of study, and Indian citizenship
2. Register on the Portal: Create an account using your email ID and verify it through the link sent to your inbox. Check spam if you don't see it
3. Identify Your US Host Mentor: This is the most critical step and the one most applicants underestimate. You need to identify US professors whose research matches yours. WINStep Forward will help shortlisted candidates with up to three professor matches, but start building your list before or right after applying
4. Complete the Application Form: Fill in all personal, academic, and research details carefully. Save as you go. Once submitted, the application cannot be edited
5. Upload Required Documents: Upload everything strictly as per the checklist in the application form
6. Review and Submit: Go through all entries before submitting. Download and save a PDF copy of your completed application afterward

Documents Required for the Khorana Scholarship

Get these ready before you start:

• Valid Indian passport (or select "Applied for" if passport is not yet received)
• Latest marksheet, attested if official copy is unavailable
• No Objection Certificate from your institution
• Two letters of recommendation: one from a teacher or tutor, one from a lab supervisor under whose mentorship you completed a training or internship
• Academic transcripts from your institution

All documents must be submitted before the deadline. Anything sent by email after the deadline will not be considered.

Khorana Scholarship Deadline

The 2026 deadline hasn't been officially announced yet. Based on past cycles, here's how the timeline typically plays out:

• Call for applications opens around September
• Application deadline falls in early to mid-October, the 2025 cycle closed on October 7, 2024
• Full selection process including pre-screening, shortlisting, and placement takes around 4 to 5 months
• Selected candidates are notified tentatively by mid-March
• Internship runs from mid-May to end-July

Since the window is short and identifying a US host mentor takes real time, start researching potential professors well before the portal opens.

Also Read: How to Study Abroad for Free: Countries & Scholarships 

Khorana Scholarship Selection Process

Selection is purely merit-based with no personal interviews at any stage. IUSSTF uses a three-tiered screening process involving subject experts.

Here's how candidates are evaluated:

• Pre-Screening: All applications are reviewed for basic eligibility, degree level, field of study, CGPA, and year of study
• Shortlisting by Subject Experts: Eligible applications are reviewed based on academic credentials, research interests, proposed project ideas, career goals, research experience, technical background, lab work, and any publications or poster presentations
• Placement at US Institutions: Shortlisted candidates are assisted by WINStep Forward in identifying and confirming a US host professor based on matching research interests
• Final Selection: Candidates are provisionally selected and contacted individually regarding scholarship terms. The final list is subject to updates based on successful placement

No reservations for SC/ST/OBC or economically weaker sections. Selection is entirely on academic merit.

Also Read: Top PhD Scholarships for Indian Students 

How to Check Khorana Scholarship Application Status?

After submitting, track your application by logging back into the IUSSTF Online Application Portal with the same credentials.

Here's how:

1. Log in to the Portal: Go to the IUSSTF Online Application Portal and log in with your registered email and password
2. Go to Your Dashboard: Your submitted application and any status updates are visible here after logging in
3. Check for Updates: Look for movement to shortlisting or placement stages
4. Monitor Your Email: IUSSTF also sends key decisions to your registered email, including provisional selection notifications typically by mid-March

Common Reasons for Rejection of the Khorana Scholarship

Applications can get screened out at the eligibility stage itself if the basics aren't right. Here's what usually causes rejections:

• Eligibility not met: Being in first year, final year, or pursuing a PhD; CGPA below 8.0 or percentage below 80%; or studying outside the specified areas
• Incomplete or incorrect documents: Missing NOC, wrong LOR format, unattested marksheets, or anything submitted after the deadline
• Weak research profile: No lab work, internship, or research experience makes it harder to stand out in the subject expert review
• Vague research proposal: Applications without a clearly articulated project idea or a clear reason why US-based research is necessary rarely advance
• No US host identified: You must secure your own placement. Not identifying a target mentor or failing to confirm placement can result in a provisional selection lapsing
• Field mismatch: Applications in subject areas outside those listed in the program advertisement are rejected outright

Conclusion

The Khorana Scholarship is one of the few fully funded summer research programs available specifically to Indian students in biotechnology and allied sciences, with placements at some of the most recognised research institutions in the US.

What sets it apart is the combination of real financial support and actual bench-level research experience at places like Harvard, Stanford, MIT-affiliated centres, and Purdue, at a stage when most students in India are still working within domestic lab settings.

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