IndiaAI Research Fellowship 2026 for PhD Scholars – Monthly Fellowship Up to ₹80,000
IndiaAI Research Fellowship 2026 invites eligible first-year PhD scholars in Artificial Intelligence to apply for monthly fellowship support of ₹70,000–₹80,000, research contingency funding up to ₹10 lakh, and international conference support up to ₹1 lakh. Apply online by 30 November 2026.
Posted Date: 18-10-2026
Organization:IndiaAI
About the IndiaAI Research Fellowship 2026
The IndiaAI Research Fellowship 2026, offered under the IndiaAI initiative of the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), Government of India, aims to support doctoral scholars pursuing advanced research in Artificial Intelligence (AI).
The fellowship provides monthly financial assistance, research contingency funding, and support for international conference participation, subject to programme guidelines and approval. It aims to strengthen India’s AI research ecosystem and encourage innovation among emerging researchers.
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants should meet the following eligibility requirements:
- Be freshly admitted or first-year PhD scholars.
- Be enrolled in a full-time PhD programme.
- Be pursuing research in Artificial Intelligence (AI).
- Meet the additional eligibility conditions specified in the official fellowship guidelines.
Detailed requirements regarding academic qualifications, eligible institutions, research themes, and supporting documents should be verified through the official portal.
Fellowship Amount
The advertised monthly fellowship structure is as follows:
- Year 1: ₹70,000 per month
- Year 2: ₹70,000 per month
- Year 3: ₹75,000 per month
- Year 4: ₹80,000 per month
- Year 5: ₹80,000 per month
The advertised funding structure covers up to five years, subject to applicable continuation, review, and approval conditions.
Additional Financial Benefits
1. Research Contingency Grant
Eligible scholars may receive research contingency support of up to ₹10 lakh for approved research-related expenses, subject to programme guidelines.
2. International Conference Support
International conference participation support of up to ₹1 lakh may be available, subject to the applicable eligibility and reimbursement conditions.
Research Areas
The primary research domain is Artificial Intelligence. Related areas may include machine learning, deep learning, data science, computer vision, natural language processing, and other AI technologies, subject to the official programme’s eligible research themes.
Selection Process
The detailed selection procedure has not been specified in the supplied announcement. Applicants should consult the official portal for information about:
- Application screening and eligibility verification.
- Academic and research document requirements.
- Evaluation criteria.
- Fellowship approval and award procedures.
How to Apply
- Visit the official IndiaAI Research Fellowship portal: https://fellowship.indiaai.gov.in
- Read the eligibility criteria and programme guidelines carefully.
- Access the online application facility.
- Complete the application with the required academic and research information.
- Upload the supporting documents specified by the programme.
- Review the application and submit it before the deadline.
Application Deadline: 30 November 2026.
Important Links
- Official Application Portal: https://fellowship.indiaai.gov.in
- Organization: IndiaAI
- Ministry: Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), Government of India

