India NLSIU Research Fellowships 2025 (Fully Funded)
The National Law School of India University (NLSIU), Bengaluru, India’s premier law university, has announced its Research Fellowships Programme for the academic year 2025-26. These prestigious fellowships are designed to nurture research excellence in law, social sciences, public policy, and allied disciplines with a strong focus on the University’s identified grand challenges of the 21st century, such as climate justice, law and technology, labour and work, state capacity and reform, and access to justice.
The NLSIU Research Fellowships offer a dynamic platform for graduates, PhD candidates, postdoctoral researchers, and distinguished professionals to contribute to path-breaking scholarship and policy innovations.
The National Law School of India University (NLSIU), established in 1987 in Bengaluru, is India’s first national law university and is consistently ranked among the top institutions for legal education in the country. Renowned for its rigorous academic curriculum, interdisciplinary research, and vibrant intellectual community, NLSIU offers undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral programs in law and allied fields. The University has pioneered legal education reforms in India, producing leading judges, lawyers, policymakers, academics, and corporate professionals. With a strong emphasis on research, innovation, and public service, NLSIU continues to shape legal thought and policy both nationally and globally.
Degree Level
Fellowship Types and Degree Level
NLSIU offers five categories of research fellowships:
Graduate Research Fellowships (Short-term & Long-term)
Level: Graduate/Postgraduate degree holders
Duration: 3 months – 2 years
Doctoral Fellowships
Level: PhD candidates enrolled full-time at NLSIU
Duration: 3 years
Postdoctoral Fellowships
Level: Fresh PhD holders (within 3 years of award)
Duration: 1–2 years
University Research Fellowships
Level: Senior scholars with PhD + 10+ years of teaching/research experience
Duration: 1–2 years
Distinguished University Fellowships
Level: Eminent scholars & professionals
Duration: 1 month – 2 years
Available Subjects
Fellowships cover law, social sciences, public policy, and allied disciplines with emphasis on:
Climate, biodiversity, and ecological justice
Law and artificial intelligence
Data governance and regulation
Biotechnology, health, and ethics
Risk regulation and legal system reform
Labour, work, and state reform
Benefits
Monthly stipend:
Graduate Research Fellows: ₹55,000 – ₹65,000
Doctoral Fellows: with 10% annual increment (as per PhD regulations)
Postdoctoral Fellows: ₹1,00,000 – ₹1,50,000
University Research Fellows: ₹1,70,000 – ₹2,00,000
Opportunity to teach elective courses at NLSIU
Access to NLSIU’s library, research community, and academic seminars
Publication support (peer-reviewed journals, NLSIU repositories, policy briefs, blogs)
Networking with leading scholars and policymakers
Research mentorship under experienced faculty
Eligible Nationalities
Open to Indian and international applicants (depending on category).
Doctoral Fellowships are available only to full-time PhD candidates at NLSIU.
Graduate and Postdoctoral Fellowships are open to both domestic and overseas scholars.
Distinguished University Fellowships are by invitation to eminent global scholars.
Eligibility Criteria
Graduate Research Fellowship: Graduate degree in law / Postgraduate degree in social sciences, public policy, or allied fields.
Doctoral Fellowship: Enrolled as a full-time PhD scholar at NLSIU.
Postdoctoral Fellowship: Awarded a PhD (in last 3 years) in law, social sciences, public policy, or allied fields.
University Research Fellowship: PhD + 10+ years of teaching/research experience with a strong publication record.
Distinguished University Fellowship: Eminent scholars or professionals with substantial contributions in law or related fields (invitation only).
Application Procedure
Applications are accepted through:
Open Call for Applications (Graduate, Postdoctoral, University Fellowships)
Submit online application with research proposal, CV, and publications.
Shortlisted candidates will face an interview by NLSIU’s Selection Committee.
By Invitation (Distinguished University Fellowships & select University Research Fellowships).
Timeline for AY 2025-26
First Round: Apply by September 15, 2025 → Fellowship begins between Dec 2025 – Aug 2026
Second Round: Apply by January 15, 2026 → Fellowship begins between Apr – Dec 2026
Third Round: Apply by May 15, 2026 → Fellowship begins between Aug 2026 – Apr 2027
