Morehead-Cain Global Fellowship 2026-27

Dear Students,

We are pleased to share information about the Morehead-Cain Global Fellowship 2026-27, a prestigious fully funded one-year leadership and academic program at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, USA.

Program Overview

Program Name: Morehead-Cain Global Fellowship
Duration: August 2026 – July 2027 (one academic year)
Location: Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
Host Institution: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC)

Eligibility Criteria

This fellowship is open to undergraduate students only. Students must meet the following requirements:

1. Must have completed two years of undergraduate studies by August 2026
2. Must have at least one year remaining before graduation after completing the fellowship (i.e., plan to graduate after January 2028)
3. Open to students from all academic disciplines
4. Eligible programs: B.Tech (3rd year students graduating in 2028), Dual Degree or IDDD (3rd/4th year students graduating in 2029 or later), and BS programs (students with at least one year remaining after July 2027)
5. Strong academic performance, leadership potential, and commitment to global engagement

Important: This program is NOT open to Master's or PhD students.

Program Benefits

The fellowship is fully funded and covers:

• Full tuition and fees at UNC Chapel Hill
• Living expenses
• Travel costs to/from USA
• Enrichment activities and leadership development programs

Program Features

• One-year leadership and academic program at UNC Chapel Hill
• Full-time enrollment in coursework at UNC
• Leadership development workshops and activities
• Scholarship and global engagement opportunities
• Cross-cultural collaboration with international students
• Networking with Morehead-Cain Scholar community

Note: Fellows will return to IIT Madras to complete their undergraduate studies after the fellowship year ends in July 2027.

Mandatory Approval Requirements (IIT Madras)

IMPORTANT: As this is a one-year program requiring absence from IIT Madras, students must obtain the following approvals before applying:

1. Faculty Advisor Approval
2. Head of Department (HoD) Approval
3. Academic Section Approval

Students selected for the fellowship must also obtain approval from course instructors at IIT Madras for credit transfer/course equivalence for coursework completed at UNC Chapel Hill.

Application Process

Important: The Office of Global Engagement will NOT be coordinating institutional nominations for this fellowship. Students must apply independently through the following process:

Step 1: Obtain approval from your Faculty Advisor

Step 2: Request any faculty member (Faculty Advisor, HoD, or any professor who knows you well) to complete the nomination form

Step 3: Once the faculty member submits the nomination, you will automatically receive an email with the application link from Morehead-Cain Foundation

Step 4: If selected, obtain approvals from HoD and Academic Section before accepting the fellowship

Note: Students need only ONE nomination from any faculty member. Additional nominations will not enhance candidacy.

Timeline

Nomination Deadline: November 10, 2025
Application Deadline: November 17, 2025
Finalists Notified: Late December 2025
In-Person Interviews: Late January 2026
Selection Notification: March 1, 2026
Program Start: August 2026 (full-time enrollment at UNC)

Selection Criteria

The Morehead-Cain Foundation selects students based on four pillars:

• Leadership - Ability to influence, energize, and inspire others to make positive impact
• Character - Courage, humility, integrity, and perseverance
• Scholarship - Academic excellence and authentic love of learning
• Physical Vigor - Energy, enthusiasm, and commitment to personal wellness

For Queries

Email: global@moreheadcain.org
Program Website: https://global.moreheadcain.org/
FAQ: https://global.moreheadcain.org/frequently-asked-questions/

Students who can secure these approvals and ensure the program is feasible for their academic timeline may proceed with the application