Stanford Reliance Dhirubhai Fellowship 2025-26: Know Benefits, Eligibility, Selection Process

The Stanford Reliance Dhirubhai Fellowship is a prestigious funding program created through a partnership between Reliance Industries Limited and Stanford Graduate School of Business. It is one of the top scholarships for indian students to study in the US. The 15-year-old fellowship started as a five-year pilot program in April 2008. Today, it serves as the most important pathway for promising Indian students to access world-class education, regardless of their financial circumstances.

Continue reading to learn about the fellowship’s benefits, eligibility criteria, application and selection process.

Stanford Reliance Dhirubhai Fellowship Highlights

Stanford Reliance Dhirubhai Fellowship for Indian Students

The Stanford Reliance Dhirubhai Fellowship started in 2008 and offers a unique chance exclusively for Indian students who want world-class business education. Reliance Industries Limited and Stanford GSB joined hands in this venture that has helped 19 Indian MBA graduates who now contribute to India’s socioeconomic development.

This fellowship aims to find talented Indian students who show great promise but need financial support. Graduates must go back to India within two years after graduating and work there for at least two years. Though Reliance Industries funds the fellowship, graduates can work anywhere in India, not just at Reliance.

The program shortlists only 50 Indian candidates during the original evaluation. All but one of these finalists receive fellowships each year, with a maximum of five awards. Students face a tough 5.4% acceptance rate, making this one of the most selective programs available

Stanford Reliance Dhirubhai Fellowship Benefits

The Stanford Reliance Dhirubhai Fellowship gives an amazing package of benefits that removes financial barriers for talented Indian students.

The fellowship’s financial package has:

• Full tuition support for the Stanford MBA Program
• Coverage of approximately 80% of the total attendance cost
• Support for living expenses, medical expenses, and other university-related miscellaneous fees
• Total scholarship value of up to INR 1.2 Crore (USD 150,000)
• Fellows get access to Stanford’s extensive alumni network, which includes some of the world’s most successful and influential leaders. This network becomes a great resource for mentorship, job placement, and even potential funding for future ventures.

Stanford Reliance Dhirubhai Fellowship Eligibility Criteria for Indian Students

The Stanford Reliance Dhirubhai Fellowship has specific eligibility criteria to identify promising Indian talent. These simple academic requirements include:

• A bachelor’s degree in any field equivalent to a US bachelor’s degree
• English proficiency shown through standardised tests with minimum scores of:
  • TOEFL-iBT: 100
  • IELTS: 7.0
  • PTE: 68
• Your application should showcase leadership potential and professional experience.
• Letters of recommendation
• Statement of purpose
• A one-page resume
• Optional 200-word responses to supplementary questions

The fellowship selects up to fifty finalists by mid-July each year, and five candidates end up receiving the award. A well-prepared application with attention to detail will help you stand out in this highly selective process.

How to Apply for the Stanford Reliance Dhirubhai Fellowship?

The Stanford Reliance Dhirubhai Fellowship application follows a unique two-stage process. Your success depends on proper preparation and attention to detail.

Stage 1: Fellowship Pre-Application

You need to complete the Stanford Reliance Dhirubhai Fellowship application before submitting your MBA program application. The pre-application form comes with no fees. Stanford requires submission approximately one month before the MBA application deadline.

The fellowship application materials include:

• Educational history and scores (10th board, 12th board, JEE, and/or CAT results)
• One-page resume or CV
• 250-word essay on a given topic
• Employment history details
• Awards and honours (both academic and social)
• Individual financial information and family income documentation
• GMAT/GRE scores (optional at this stage)

The original stage does not require official transcripts and letters of recommendation. Stanford selects about 50 finalists based on merit, commitment to developing India, and financial need.

Stage 2: Stanford MBA Application

Selected finalists must complete the standard Stanford MBA application by the university’s deadline. This stage requires:

• Submit GMAT or GRE scores (now mandatory)
• Provide TOEFL, IELTS, or PTE scores (if applicable)
• Include two letters of recommendation
• Submit unofficial transcripts

Complete the online application through Stanford University’s official website. Note that the fellowship application runs independently from the MBA application with different deadlines. Deferred enrollment candidates should apply for the fellowship one year before their planned Stanford GSB enrollment.

Stanford may select up to five Reliance Dhirubhai Fellows from the pool of 50 finalists. Selection criteria include intellectual vitality, leadership potential, and personal qualities.

Also read: IELTS Syllabus 2025

Stanford Reliance Dhirubhai Fellowship Requirements

The Stanford Reliance Dhirubhai Fellowship application demands careful attention to documentation and requirements. Your academic background, financial situation, and leadership potential will undergo a complete review during the application process.

The application requires these essential documents:

• Academic records showing performance in 10th, 12th, and graduation
• A one-page resume showcasing your professional qualifications
• A 250-word essay on a specific topic
• Records of academic and social awards or honours
• Employment history with years of experience and organisations
• Official GMAT/GRE scores (not needed for the original fellowship application)
• Financial documentation, including tax records and annual family income
• Proof of Indian citizenship

Stanford Reliance Dhirubhai Fellowship Selection Process

The Stanford Reliance Dhirubhai Fellowship has one of the most rigorous academic reviews, with an acceptance rate of just 5.4%. A good understanding of this multi-stage process will help you create a more competitive application.

The selection happens in two distinct phases:

First Phase: Preliminary Evaluation

• Stanford reviews all applications based on academic performance, financial need, and overall profile
• Only 50 candidates make it to the finalist list from all applicants
• Finalists get their notifications by mid-July

Second Phase: Final Selection

• All 50 finalists must submit the standard Stanford MBA application by the deadline
• The selection committee looks at each finalist using Stanford’s main admission criteria:
  • Intellectual vitality
  • Leadership potential
  • Personal qualities and contributions
• Just 3-5 candidates get selected for the fellowship

Stanford Reliance Dhirubhai Fellowship Timeline

Each year brings slight changes to the timeline, but it usually follows this pattern:

Conclusion

Stanford Reliance Dhirubhai Fellowship is a chance for talented Indian students to get a world-class business education. This fellowship takes away money worries with substantial financial aid. Students can breathe easy as it covers about 80% of their total attendance costs at Stanford GSB.

The benefits of getting this fellowship are way beyond the reach and influence of just financial help. Winners get access to Stanford’s world-class education and global network.