Harvard’s Mittal Institute India Fellowship 2026 (Fully Funded for Indian Postdocs)
Are you a recent PhD graduate eager to conduct impactful research in India?
The Mittal Institute India Fellowship 2026, initiated by Harvard University, offers you that rare chance. This fully funded postdoctoral fellowship enables early-career researchers to carry out independent research while receiving remote mentorship from Harvard faculty.
While mostly fellowships require relocation abroad to the the country where it announced, this program is based in New Delhi, allowing Indian scholars to contribute directly to India’s intellectual and societal progress.
Fellowship Overview
This prestigious initiative is managed by The Lakshmi Mittal and Family South Asia Institute, which aims to foster academic partnerships between Harvard and South Asia. The fellowship will support two Indian postdoctoral scholars who will spend one year (starting January 2026) in New Delhi.
Who Should Apply?
The fellowship is open to candidates who meet the following conditions:
- Must have completed their PhD between March 1, 2020, and March 31, 2025.
- Should be at an early postdoctoral career stage.
- Preference is given to those educated primarily in India.
- Must not hold any other fellowships concurrently.
Candidates with a strong academic record and a clear research agenda are especially encouraged to apply.
Research Areas and Topics
The program welcomes scholars from all academic disciplines. However, your research must contribute to the public benefit of India. Research may cover topics such as:
- Public Health, Education, and Gender Equity
- Sociology, Political Science, and Anthropology
- Law, Linguistics, and Philosophy
- History, Literature, and Visual Arts
- Science, Medicine, Climate, and Culture
Fellows may also propose international cases, as long as India remains central to the project..
Fellowship Benefits
This Harvard-affiliated fellowship offers an impressive monthly stipend of INR 1,00,000 (gross). This amount designated to cover following expenses during research period
- Daily living expenses
- Medical needs
- Books and academic materials
- Research costs
If you live outside New Delhi, your round-trip economy travel to the city will be reimbursed. This makes the fellowship highly accessible, even for scholars from distant regions.
Academic and Institutional Support
While the fellowship takes place in India, selected scholars benefit from Harvard’s vast global network. Each fellow is assigned a remote mentor from Harvard University whose expertise aligns with the fellow’s research theme. This will helps students to experience international academic standards and during their research within India..
Fellows are also expected to:
- Participate in Mittal Institute-hosted seminars
- Review grant applications
- Interact with Harvard-affiliated researchers based in India
Through these activities, scholars become part of an intellectually vibrant community.
How to Apply
To apply for the 2026 academic year, candidates have to submit their applications through the official Harvard ARIeS portal. The following documents are also required during apply:
- Research Proposal (2–3 pages):
- Include a title, abstract, questions, methods, and expected outcomes.
- Curriculum Vitae (CV):
- Details of academic qualifications, publication history, and research experience preferably in a list.
- PhD Degree Certificate:
- Only a scanned copy of your certificate is needed (transcripts are not required).
- Two Letters of Recommendation:
- One must come from an academic referee who knows your scholarly work.
After successful application submission, your referees will automatically receive a notification to upload their letters as well.
Important Deadline
All applications must be submitted before:
July 7, 2025, at 11:59 PM (EST).
Late or incomplete submissions will not be considered. Start preparing your documents early to avoid last-minute issues.
Why You Should Apply
There are some reasons why this fellowship is notable:
- Direct collaboration with Harvard University, without leaving India
- Ample funding and travel scholarships, thus the program being extremely inclusive
- Interdisciplinary adaptability, open to scientists and researchers from social sciences and arts
- Substantial social impact, since projects need to generate public good in India
- Mentorship by distinguished faculty, to assist you in your academic development
If you are passionate about research and dedicated to Indian development, this Harvard Mittal Institute India Fellowship 2026 can be the door to an international research career.
🔗 Where to Apply
To begin your application, visit:
Apply via Harvard ARIeS Portal
If you face any issues or have queries, reach out at:
[email protected]
To get the latest news on international scholarship opportunities, go to WeMakeYouScholar.com.
