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TWAS-CSIR Postgraduate Fellowship 2026
The TWAS-CSIR Postgraduate Fellowship 2026, jointly offered by UNESCO-TWAS and the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, India, supports PhD-level research for scholars from developing countries at premier CSIR laboratories across India. The fellowship covers disciplines spanning life sciences, chemistry, physics, engineering, agriculture, and earth and space sciences. Selected fellows receive a monthly stipend, health insurance, and subsidised accommodation for a duration of up to four years. The last date to apply is 06 May 2026.
Program Highlights
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Opportunity Type | Postgraduate (PhD) Research Fellowship |
| Organising Body | UNESCO-TWAS and Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), India |
| Mode | Offline (On-site at CSIR Laboratories) |
| Duration | Up to 4 Years |
| Location | CSIR Laboratories across India |
| Last Date to Apply | 06 May 2026 |
About the Program
The TWAS-CSIR Postgraduate Fellowship 2026 is part of a long-standing collaboration between The World Academy of Sciences (TWAS) — operating under the auspices of UNESCO — and CSIR, India’s largest publicly funded research and development organisation. The programme is specifically designed to enable doctoral-level scholars from scientifically lagging developing countries to pursue high-quality research training within India’s extensive network of CSIR-affiliated laboratories.
CSIR operates over 37 national laboratories and institutes distributed across India, covering a broad spectrum of scientific domains from genomics and drug discovery to aerospace and environmental sciences. Consequently, selected fellows gain access to world-class infrastructure, mentorship from senior scientists, and an internationally recognised research environment.
Notably, this fellowship serves a dual purpose — it strengthens scientific capacity in the fellow’s home country while simultaneously fostering South-South and South-North research collaboration. Furthermore, the structured four-year tenure provides fellows with sufficient time to complete a substantive doctoral thesis under supervised academic conditions.
Eligibility Criteria
Academic Qualification
- Must be a national of a developing country (other than India) that is a member of TWAS
- Must hold a Master’s degree or equivalent qualification in a relevant scientific discipline at the time of application
- Must be registered or eligible for registration as a PhD student at a recognised university or institution in their home country or at a CSIR-affiliated institution in India
- Eligible disciplines include: Life Sciences, Medical Sciences, Biotechnology, Chemistry, Physics, Engineering, Agriculture, Earth Sciences, and Space Sciences
Experience & Other Conditions
- Must be a maximum of 35 years of age at the time of application (refer to official notification for exact age cut-off)
- Must not hold a position that generates a regular salary conflicting with the fellowship terms during the tenure
- Must demonstrate a commitment to return to their home country upon completion of the fellowship
- Applicants already residing in India at the time of application are not eligible
- Must provide a research proposal and secure acceptance from a CSIR laboratory scientist willing to serve as supervisor
Benefits & Funding
The TWAS-CSIR Postgraduate Fellowship 2026 provides a comprehensive financial package covering the primary living and academic needs of the fellow throughout the doctoral tenure.
| Component | Amount / Detail |
|---|---|
| Monthly Stipend | N/A |
| Health Insurance | Provided |
| Accommodation | Subsidised (at CSIR campus or affiliated facility) |
| Duration of Support | Up to 4 years |
Selection Process
- Initial screening of applications for eligibility and completeness
- Evaluation of research proposal and academic merit by CSIR subject experts
- Assessment of alignment between proposed research and CSIR laboratory capabilities
- Final selection by a joint TWAS-CSIR Selection Committee
- Selected candidates notified in writing with formal offer of fellowship
How to Apply
- Visit the official application portal at the link provided by TWAS: https://onlineforms.twas.org/apply/300
- Register and create a profile on the TWAS fellowship application system.
- Prepare a detailed research proposal aligned with the scientific focus areas of CSIR laboratories.
- Identify a willing CSIR laboratory supervisor and obtain a formal acceptance or endorsement letter.
- Upload all required documents: academic transcripts, Master’s degree certificate, passport copy, curriculum vitae, research proposal, and supervisor acceptance letter.
- Submit the completed application before 06 May 2026; late submissions will not be considered.
No application fee is mentioned in the available notification.
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Last Date to Apply | 06 May 2026 |
Important Links
| Resource | Link |
|---|---|
| Apply Online | Click Here |
| Official Website – TWAS | www.twas.org |
| Official Website – CSIR India | www.csir.res.in |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is eligible to apply for the TWAS-CSIR Postgraduate Fellowship 2026?
Nationals of developing countries (excluding India) that are TWAS member states, holding a Master’s degree in a relevant scientific discipline, are eligible. Furthermore, applicants must not already be residing in India at the time of application and must demonstrate intent to return to their home country after completing the fellowship.
What financial benefits does the TWAS-CSIR Postgraduate Fellowship 2026 provide?
The fellowship covers a monthly stipend, health insurance, and subsidised accommodation at or near the CSIR laboratory campus. These provisions collectively support the fellow for up to four years, ensuring uninterrupted focus on doctoral research without financial burden.
In which scientific areas can research be conducted under this fellowship?
Research can be undertaken across a wide range of disciplines, including Life Sciences, Medical Sciences, Biotechnology, Chemistry, Physics, Engineering, Agriculture, Earth Sciences, and Space Sciences – all within CSIR’s network of specialised national laboratories spread across India.
What is the selection process for this fellowship?
Applications undergo an initial eligibility screening followed by a merit-based evaluation of the research proposal by CSIR subject experts. Consequently, the strength and relevance of the proposed research plan to CSIR’s scientific mandate plays a decisive role in the final selection made by the joint TWAS-CSIR committee.
What is the application deadline for the TWAS-CSIR Postgraduate Fellowship 2026?
The last date to submit applications is 06 May 2026. Applicants are advised to complete their registration, finalise the research proposal, and secure supervisor endorsement well in advance, as incomplete applications are typically rejected during the initial screening stage.