Stanford Reliance Dhirubhai Fellowship

Stanford Reliance Dhirubhai Fellowship 2025 offers up to INR 1.2 crore in funding for Indian students pursuing an MBA at Stanford GSB. Only 3–5 fellows are selected from the top 50 finalists each year based on their merit, leadership, and financial need.

Stanford Reliance Dhirubhai Fellowship 2025

Stanford Reliance Dhirubhai Fellowship 2025 is a very prestigious and highly competitive scholarship program available for all Indian students who wish to pursue an MBA at the Stanford Graduate School of Business (GSB). This fellowship was designed through the overall collaboration between Reliance Industries Limited and Stanford University to support the best Indian talent with strong leadership potential.

The scholarship is coupled with a commitment to translating this potential into the goal of socio-economic development in India. It is a merit- and need-based fellowship that can provide financial support of up to INR 1.2 crore (approximately USD 150,000), covering approximately 80% of the total cost of attendance, including tuition, living expenses, and other Stanford GSB fees.

Besides eliminating the financial burden on the recipient, the Stanford Reliance Dhirubhai Fellowship also offers access to the global alumni network of Stanford, mentorship avenues, and opportunities for career development. You will be selected through a stringent two-stage process that assesses academic scholarship, leadership ability, and financial need. With awards presented to only 3-5 candidates annually from a pool of 50 finalists, this fellowship undoubtedly stands as one of the most coveted MBA scholarships for Indian students.

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Important Dates for Stanford Reliance Dhirubhai Fellowship 2025

Being updated about the timeline of the Stanford Reliance Dhirubhai Fellowship 2025 helps one prepare and submit in time. Here are the important key deadlines given below:

Event

Date (Tentative)

Fellowship Application OpensApril 2026
Application Submission DeadlineMay 2026
Finalists NotifiedMid-July 2025
Stanford MBA Application DeadlineOctober 2025
Final Fellowship Selection ResultsDecember 2025 – March 2026

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Overview of Stanford Reliance Dhirubhai Fellowship 2025

The Stanford Reliance Dhirubhai Fellowship 2025 is a prestigious program that offers financial support and unparalleled opportunities to talented Indian students aspiring to pursue an MBA at Stanford GSB, fostering leadership and development in India.

Feature

Details

Scholarship NameStanford Reliance Dhirubhai Fellowship
Offered ByReliance Foundation, in collaboration with Stanford Graduate School of Business
Program TypeMerit-Based and Need-Based Fellowship
Course SupportedStanford MBA Program
Eligible NationalityIndian Citizens Only
Scholarship AmountUp to INR 1.2 Crore (Approx. USD 150,000)
Coverage80% of the total attendance cost (tuition, living, medical, university expenses)
Number of FinalistsUp to 50 shortlisted; 3–5 selected as Fellows
Return RequirementMust return to work in India for at least 2 years after the MBA
Selection CriteriaAcademic performance, financial need, leadership potential, commitment to India
Networking BenefitsAccess to Stanford’s global alumni network, mentorship, and career development
Long-Term VisionTo empower future Indian leaders to drive innovation and economic growth in India


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Objectives of Stanford Reliance Dhirubhai Fellowship 2025

The Stanford Reliance Dhirubhai Fellowship 2025 aims to support the most deserving Indian students to seek the best business education at Stanford Graduate School of Business (GSB). The primary aim is to remove all financial impediments that might obstruct high achievers bent on transforming India's socio economic fabric. Under this fellowship, you will be disbursed with heavy subsidies, both on merit and need basis. With this, you can study an MBA at one of the best schools in the world.

The fellowship also intends to foster the emergence of leaders who will nurture innovation, entrepreneurship, and inclusive growth in India. By mandating that fellows spend at least two years in India after completing their MBA, the program extends the fruits of knowledge and leadership honed at Stanford GSB directly to India's development. The fellowship enhances global exposure, networking, and mentorship, equipping the recipients to create a lasting impact in the realms of business, policy, and society.

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Eligibility Criteria for Stanford Reliance Dhirubhai Fellowship 2025

The Stanford Reliance Dhirubhai Fellowship has well-defined eligibility criteria designed to identify exceptional Indian students with strong academic backgrounds, leadership potential, financial need, and a clear vision to contribute meaningfully to India’s growth after completing their MBA at Stanford GSB.

Criteria

Details

CitizenshipMust be an Indian citizen
Educational QualificationBachelor’s degree (in any field) equivalent to a U.S. bachelor’s degree
Language ProficiencyTOEFL (iBT): 100, IELTS: 7.0, or PTE: 68
Leadership QualitiesMust demonstrate leadership potential, community involvement, and vision
Professional ExperienceWork experience preferred; a strong professional background strengthens the candidacy
Financial NeedApplicants must show genuine financial need
Commitment to IndiaMust return to India within 2 years after MBA and work for at least 2 years
GMAT/GRE ScoresMandatory at the MBA application stage (optional during fellowship pre-application)
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Application Process for Stanford Reliance Dhirubhai Fellowship 2025

The fellowship application procedure entails a two-stage process. The first step is the pre-application. If you get selected as finalists, then you will have to fill the official Stanford MBA application.

  • You must apply online for the fellowship by filling out:
    • Your academic details
    • A 250-word essay
    • Your resume, employment history, awards, and financial documents
  • At this initial stage, submitting GMAT/GRE scores is completely optional.
  • Stanford GSB will evaluate your application based on:
    • Merit
    • Financial need
    • Commitment to India
  • If shortlisted, you’ll be among the approximately 50 finalists, notified by mid-July.
  • As a finalist, you must then apply formally to the Stanford MBA program through the official admissions portal, submitting:
    • GMAT/GRE scores
    • TOEFL/IELTS/PTE scores (depending on your eligibility)
    • Letters of recommendation
    • Your updated resume
    • Your college/university transcripts
  • From these finalists, Stanford selects 3 to 5 fellows.
  • Selection is based on your Leadership potential and Intellectual and personal qualities
  • If chosen, you’ll receive financial support to pursue your MBA at Stanford.
  • In return, you are expected to return to India after graduation and contribute professionally to the country.
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Required Documents for Stanford Reliance Dhirubhai Fellowship 2025

To apply to the Stanford Reliance Dhirubhai Fellowship, you are required to provide several academic, financial, and personal documents. It will confirm your eligibility, potential as leaders, and commitment to India’s development.

  • 10th, 12th, and graduation academic records
  • One-page professional resume or CV
  • 250-word essay on a specified topic
  • Employment history with relevant details
  • Records of academic and social awards or honors
  • GMAT or GRE score report (mandatory for MBA application)
  • TOEFL, IELTS, or PTE score (if applicable)
  • Individual and family financial documentation
  • Indian citizenship proof
  • Letters of recommendation (required in the MBA application stage)
  • Unofficial transcripts for the Stanford MBA application

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Benefits of Stanford Reliance Dhirubhai Fellowship 2025

The fellowship provides incredible financial, academic, and professional strength to Indian students who enroll in the Stanford MBA program. It enables them to overcome financial impediments and open the door to a global network of leadership roles.

  • The fellowship covers nearly 80% of the total cost of attending Stanford GSB, including tuition, living expenses, medical coverage, and other educational fees, removing financial barriers for deserving Indian students.
  • You receive a valuable business management graduate education from highly respected MBA program at Stanford. You will also get a global network of peers and opportunities for leadership development necessary to drive systemic, sustainable change in business, government, and social?sectors worldwide.
  • You will have lifetime access to Stanford’s global alumni community, offering mentorship, opportunities for career advancement, and business partnerships. You will also receive support from some of the most powerful business and political?leaders all over the world.
  • The fellowship comes with a commitment to?return to India for two years so that you can apply your new skills and leadership capabilities to help strengthen India’s economy, ignite innovation, and fight social inequality following completion of your MBA.
  • As one of the most competitive fellowships globally, this award signifies academic excellence, leadership potential, and service commitment, boosting credibility with top employers, investors, and academic or policy institutions worldwide.

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Contact Details of Stanford Reliance Dhirubhai Fellowship 2025

For queries related to the Stanford Reliance Dhirubhai Fellowship, you can contact the fellowship office at Stanford GSB using the details below:

Address: Stanford Graduate School of Business

Knight Management Center

655 Knight Way

Stanford, CA 94305

United States

Email: financial_aid@gsb.stanford.edu

Phone: +1 (650) 723-2146

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FAQs about Stanford Reliance Dhirubhai Fellowship

What is the return-to-India requirement for the Stanford Reliance Dhirubhai Fellowship 2025?

The fellowship comprises an obligation to resettle in India within two years of completing their MBA course and serve at least two full-time years in India. This will directly add India's socio-economically status, in terms of business, to the benefit of their leadership capability and expertise.

How many candidates are selected each year for the Stanford Reliance Dhirubhai Fellowship 2025?

Stanford offers an annual competitive selection of up to 50 Indian finalists based on their academic merit, leadership qualities, and financial need. Among these short-listed candidates, only 3 to 5 candidates are finally given the Reliance Dhirubhai Fellowship of Stanford for that particular academic year.

Is GMAT or GRE required for the Stanford Reliance Dhirubhai Fellowship 2025 application?

GMAT or GRE scores are optional during the initial fellowship pre-application phase. However, shortlisted finalists must submit official GMAT or GRE scores as part of the full Stanford MBA application to be considered for final selection into the fellowship program.


 

How much financial support does the Stanford Reliance Dhirubhai Fellowship 2025 provide?

The fellowship offers financial assistance of up to INR 1.2 crore (approximately USD 150,000). It covers around 80% of the total cost of attendance at Stanford GSB, including tuition, living expenses, healthcare, and related university fees for the two-year MBA program.

Who is eligible to apply for the Stanford Reliance Dhirubhai Fellowship 2025?

Indian citizens with a bachelor’s degree, a strong academic background, demonstrated leadership potential, and significant financial need are eligible. The applicants should also be made to plan their MBA at Stanford GSB and be assured to work for at least two years in India after they complete their graduation.

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