Fellowship overview

TWAS and the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) of India provide a Ph.D. fellowship for scholars from developing countries who are willing to conduct research toward a Ph.D. degree in emerging areas of science and technology in available institutes of CSIR in India. Interested applicants can apply for this great opportunity.

Details:

Deadline: 6 May 2026

Awarding institution: TWAS

Supporting organization: Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, India

Host country: India

Level of study: Ph.D. degree

Duration: nearly 4 years

Fields of study:

• Agricultural sciences
• Structural, Cell and Molecular Biology
• Biological System and Organisms
• Medical and health sciences incl. Neurosciences
• Chemical Sciences
• Engineering sciences
• Astronomy, space, and earth sciences
• Mathematical sciences
• Physics

Eligible countries: all developing countries except India. Click here to download the list of eligible countries.

Eligibilities:

• By 31 December 2026, the maximum age of the applicant must be 35 years.
• Must be a citizen of a developing country (except India).
• Applicants must not have earned any temporary or residency of India’s visa or any developed country.
• Must have obtained a Master’s degree in science and technology.
• H/she must hold A research assignment in his/her home country and have work regularly in there.
• Sandwich fellowships: Must be enrolled for PhD degree in their home country.
• Full-time fellowship: must be interested to enroll at an Indian university within the first year if agreed to by CSIR.
• Must hold an acceptance letter from the host institute.
• Must be proficient in the English language.
• Commitment letter of returning back to his/her home country.
• Must not perform other assignments during this fellowship.
• Must be responsible for his/her family member’s expenses.

Required documents:

• Registration certificate of PhD degree with the signature of Vice-Chancellor or Registrar of your home university. (if registered for PhD degree in your home country already).
• Letter of acceptance from the host institute.
• Copy of online application form.

How to apply?

Applicants can only apply online to TWAS through the online portal. In addition, a copy of online application form must be sent to CSIR via email.

Apply Now 

Contact addresses:

1. TWAS Fellowships Office
   ICTP Campus, Strada Costiera 11
   34151 Trieste, Italy
   Phone: +39 040 2240-314
   Fax: +39 040 2240-689
   E-mail: fellowships@twas.org

2. Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR)

• • Dr (Mrs) ANURADHA MADHUKAR
  Sr. Principal Scientist
  International S&T Affairs Directorate (ISTAD)
  Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)
  Anusandhan Bhavan, 2, Rafi Marg, New Delhi 110 001
  Tel:  +91-11-23316751; Fax: +91-11-23739041
  E-mail: anuradha@csir.res.in

Notes:

• Applicants can only apply for one program/institute a year but the dean of an institution who invites an external program can apply for another program.
• The fellowship result will be announced at the end of 2026 or early 2027.
• Applicants must receive their acceptance letter as soon as possible to include that in the application.

For further details and downloading the useful attachments, please visit the TWAS website.