NLSIU Research Fellowships Programme 2025-2026

If you’re an early-career academic, doctoral candidate, or an experienced researcher driven by a passion for legal, policy, or social-science innovation, the National Law School of India University (NLSIU), Bengaluru, has just launched its coveted Research Fellowships Programme for Academic Year (AY) 2025-26. Applications are now open—this is a golden opportunity for groundbreaking work in one of five globally critical themes. Read on for details.

🎓 Fellowships Summary

• Location: NLSIU, Bengaluru (on-campus presence expected; remote possible only in exceptional cases)

• Host institution: National Law School of India University (NLSIU), Bengaluru

• Study level / Target group:

  • Graduate Research Fellowship – for graduates or postgraduates (early-career)

  • Doctoral Fellowship – full-time Ph.D. candidates at NLSIU

  • Postdoctoral Fellowship – Ph.D. holders within past 3 years

  • University Research Fellowship – senior scholars with ≥10 years experience

  • Distinguished University Fellowship – eminent academics/professionals (invitation only)

• Fields of study: Law, social sciences, public policy, and allied disciplines—aligned with NLSIU’s five Grand Challenges: Climate Justice; Labour & Work; State Capacity & Reform; Law & Technology; Access to Justice & Legal Reform

• Value & coverage / Remuneration:

  • Graduate Research Fellowship: ₹55,000–₹65,000/month

  • Postdoctoral Fellowship: ₹1,00,000–₹1,50,000/month

  • University Research Fellowship: ₹1,70,000–₹2,00,000/month

  • Doctoral Fellowship: per NLSIU PhD policy with 10% annual increase for progress

  • Distinguished Fellowships: typically not specified, but likely competitive

• Award Duration:

  • Graduate: 3–6 months (short-term) or 1–2 years (long-term)

  • Doctoral: up to 3 years

  • Post-Doctoral: 1–2 years

  • University Research: 3 months–2 years (some sources say 1–2 years)

  • Distinguished: 1 month–2 years

• Application Deadline: Rolling process with three review rounds—see timeline below

• Start Date: Within nine months of selection; specifics vary by review round

⚖️ Fellowships Overview & Eligibility

1. Graduate Research Fellowships (10 positions)

• Short-term (3–6 months):

  • Publish 1–3 short-form outputs (blog posts, policy briefs, opinion pieces)

  • Submit an abstract for a research article (for ≥5-month fellowships)

  • Present at faculty seminars or research colloquia

  • Assist in ongoing project-related research (capped at 20% of time)

• Long-term (1–2 years):

  • Publish at least one peer-reviewed article per year

  • Produce 4–6 short-form works annually

  • Present at seminars/colloquia

  • Assist in research (≤20% time)

  • Teach one elective course each academic year (subject to approval)

  • Year 2 continuation contingent on satisfactory progress

• Special JSW Centre Fellowships: Two positions focusing on AI & Law, Data Governance, Biotechnology & Ethics, Risk Regulation, Climate Justice, and Legal System Reform

2. Doctoral Fellowships (8 positions)

• Eligible for full-time Ph.D. candidates at NLSIU

• Duration: up to 3 years with formal institutional requirements

• About 10 hours/week of university duties aligned with doctoral development

• Annual stipend increase of 10% with satisfactory progress; continued support depends on research quality

3. Post-Doctoral Fellowships (5 positions)

• For Ph.D. holders awarded within the last 3 years and no prior post-doc

• Duration: up to 2 years

• Deliverables: Draft book manuscript, one peer-reviewed article per year, at least two short-form outputs per year

• Teach one elective course annually

• Engage in guest lectures and collaborative research with faculty

• 10% stipend increase in second year upon satisfactory performance

4. University Research Fellowships (5 positions)

• For senior academics with a Ph.D. and ≥10 years of teaching/research experience

• Duration: 3 months to 2 years (some sources say 1–2 years)

• Expected outputs: one peer-reviewed article per year, 1–6 short-form pieces, elective teaching, plus leadership in research strategy—e.g., organizing workshops, building networks, advising on programs

5. Distinguished University Fellowships (5 positions)

• By invitation only for eminent scholars and professionals

• Duration: 1 month to 2 years

• Focus on ambitious scholarly projects, mentorship, and expanding research leadership via seminars and public forums

🎁 Benefits

• Attractive monthly stipends based on career stage

• Full access to NLSIU’s scholarly environment: workshops, seminars, library, digital platforms, and archives

• Publication pathways via blogs, policy briefs, academic journals, and the NLSIU repository

• Interdisciplinary collaboration and teaching opportunities (for appropriate fellowships)

• Academic mentorship and professional growth, especially through teaching, workshops, and faculty interaction

📝 Application Procedure

For Open Call (Graduate, Post-Doctoral, University Research Fellowships)

1. Submit application via Google form or official NLSIU portal

2. Shortlisting based on academic merit, proposal quality, and experience

3. Interviews conducted by a committee led by the Dean (Research) and/or Vice Chancellor

Invitation-based (University Research & Distinguished Fellowships)

• Nominations from faculty/research staff, reviewed by the Dean and Vice Deans (Research), and recommended to the Vice Chancellor for approval

Required Documents (typically expected)

• Updated CV/resume

• Research proposal or statement of interest

• Academic transcripts and degree certificates

• Writing samples or publications

• Letters of recommendation

• Teaching statement (if applicable)

• Any additional materials specified in the application link

Application Timeline

• First Round

  • Applications open: August 11, 2025

  • Deadline: September 15, 2025 (5 PM IST)

  • Fellowship start period: December 1, 2025 – August 1, 2026

• Second Round

  • Applications open: September 16, 2025

  • Deadline: January 15, 2026 (5 PM IST)

  • Fellowship start period: April 1, 2026 – December 1, 2026

• Third Round

  • Applications open: January 16, 2026

  • Deadline: May 15, 2026 (5 PM IST)

  • Fellowship start period: August 1, 2026 – April 1, 2027

Selection typically takes around two months, and chosen fellows may begin anytime within nine months of acceptance.

🔗 Apply Now

🔗 Official Link

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