India Unveils Diverse Fellowship and Research Opportunities

A wave of opportunities has opened for aspiring scholars and professionals in India, with various Indian and international organizations announcing calls for applications for fellowships and research programs. These initiatives span diverse fields, from environmental law and heritage science to urban studies and international cooperation, offering significant avenues for professional development and academic advancement.

Environmental Law Fellowship

Natural Justice, an environmental law organization, is offering a one-year Environmental Law Fellowship Program based in Bangalore. This program targets young lawyers and individuals passionate about environmental law, providing hands-on experience through fieldwork and research.

Key takeaways:

Duration: One year
Stipend: Twenty thousand rupees per month, plus a travel budget
Focus: Securing community rights to land and resources through environmental law

Science and Heritage Research Initiative (SHRI)

The Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India, has launched the Science and Heritage Research Initiative (SHRI). This call for proposals aims to integrate modern science and technology with India’s ancient scientific and technological heritage.

Key thematic areas include:

Ancient Astronomy and Mathematics
Ancient Materials and Metallurgy
Traditional Practices for Preventive Health and Well-Being
Ancient Building Architecture and Water Management Systems
Indian Heritage for Digital Space

AYUSH Indian Fellowship Program

The AYUSH Indian Fellowship Program has opened its call for applications for the 2025-2026 academic year. Details regarding the specific focus and eligibility for this international fellowship are available through the official announcement.

Indo-Norwegian Cooperation Programme (INCP2)

The Norwegian Directorate for Higher Education and Skills (HK-dir) and the University Grants Commission (UGC) India are collaborating on the Indo-Norwegian Cooperation Programme in Higher Education and Research (INCP2). This program provides joint grants for project partnerships between Norwegian and Indian higher education institutions.

Areas of cooperation include:

Democracy and a rules-based world order
Education
The Ocean
Arctic/polar research
Clean Energy
Climate and environment
Urban planning and development
Health (including global and public health, biotechnology, and medical sciences)
Information technology and security

Writing Urban India Fellowship (WUI 3.0)

NLSIU, in collaboration with the Writing Urban India Collective and the Urban Studies Foundation (UK), is hosting the third iteration of the Writing Urban India Fellowship (WUI 3.0). This 10-month mentoring initiative is designed to support early career scholars in writing and publishing on urbanization in India.

Key aspects:

Focus: A writing fellowship, not a research fellowship
Eligibility: Urban practitioners, Ph.D. candidates, and early career academics focusing on urban studies
Support: Mentorship, capacity-building workshops, and access to resources

These diverse opportunities underscore a growing commitment to fostering research, academic exchange, and professional development across various critical sectors in India and globally.