About the opportunity
What this programme is offering
The NLSIU Research Fellowships Programme supports scholars committed to advancing knowledge through rigorous research and meaningful intellectual engagement.
The university welcomes research projects that:
Generate new theoretical insights.
Produce robust empirical evidence.
Address contemporary legal, social, and policy challenges.
Offer practical and policy-relevant solutions.
Contribute to academic and interdisciplinary knowledge.
The programme welcomes both disciplinary and interdisciplinary research, providing researchers from different academic backgrounds with opportunities to develop innovative approaches to scholarship.
The initiative builds on NLSIU's experience supporting scholars through its Academic Fellowship Programme, including researchers who have progressed to doctoral studies and academic careers in India and internationally.
Fellowship Categories
NLSIU is offering 20 funded fellowship positions across three categories.
1. Graduate Research Fellowship
Number of positions: 10
Monthly remuneration: INR 50,000
The Graduate Research Fellowship is intended for emerging researchers seeking to strengthen their research skills while contributing to academic and policy-oriented scholarship.
2. NLSIU Postdoctoral Fellowship
Number of positions: 5
Monthly remuneration: INR 120,000
The Postdoctoral Fellowship is designed for early-career scholars who have completed their doctoral studies and wish to undertake advanced research within NLSIU's academic environment.
3. University Research Fellowship
Number of positions: 5
Monthly remuneration: INR 200,000
The University Research Fellowship supports experienced researchers undertaking substantial scholarly projects with potential contributions to academic discourse, policy development, and institutional reform.
Fellowship Benefits
Selected fellows will receive monthly remuneration and access to NLSIU's academic and research environment.
The fellowship provides opportunities for:
Dedicated time and support for independent research.
Engagement with leading scholars, researchers, and policy experts.
Access to academic resources and research facilities.
Participation in seminars, workshops, conferences, and scholarly discussions.
Interdisciplinary research and collaboration.
Engagement with research connecting theory, policy, and practice.
Professional and academic development within a research-focused university environment.
The applicable remuneration and fellowship arrangements may depend on factors including the candidate's educational qualifications, research profile, relevant experience, and suitability for the selected fellowship category.
Research Areas
The programme welcomes applications from researchers working across a broad range of disciplines, including:
Law and Legal Studies
Public Policy
Governance
Social Sciences
Development Studies
Political Science
Economics
Human Rights
Constitutional Studies
Technology and Society
Other interdisciplinary research fields
Applicants are encouraged to develop research proposals that demonstrate originality, methodological rigor, academic significance, and potential real-world impact.
Fellowship Location
All selected fellows are expected to be based on campus at the National Law School of India University in Bengaluru, India, during the fellowship period.
The duration and specific terms of each fellowship category may vary. Applicants should review the official fellowship information for the applicable duration, expectations, and commitments before applying.
What Makes a Strong Application?
Applicants should prepare a research proposal that clearly demonstrates the significance and feasibility of their proposed project.
A competitive application should generally include:
A clearly defined and innovative research question.
Strong academic and professional credentials.
Clear research objectives and methodology.
Relevance to contemporary legal, social, or policy challenges.
Potential academic, institutional, or societal impact.
Evidence of independent research capability.
A clear explanation of how the proposed research contributes to existing scholarship.
Applicants should also explain why NLSIU provides an appropriate academic environment for undertaking the proposed research.
Application Process
Interested applicants should submit their applications through the designated online application form for their preferred fellowship category.
Before applying, candidates should carefully review the fellowship requirements and prepare all required supporting documents.
Research proposals should be clear, well-structured, original, and aligned with the objectives of the relevant fellowship.
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for interviews and subsequent stages of the selection process.
Application Deadline
Applications are open for the January 2027 intake.
Application deadline: 30 October 2026
Deadline time: 5:00 PM IST
Intake: January 2027
Applicants are encouraged to submit their applications well before the deadline to allow sufficient time to address any technical or documentation issues.
NLSIU Research Fellowships 2027 – At a Glance
FellowshipPositionsMonthly RemunerationGraduate Research Fellowship10INR 50,000NLSIU Postdoctoral Fellowship5INR 120,000University Research Fellowship5INR 200,000
Total positions: 20
Location: Bengaluru, India
Intake: January 2027
Application deadline: 30 October 2026 at 5:00 PM IST
How to apply