NATIONAL LAW SCHOOL OF INDIA UNIVERSITY (NLSIU), BENGALURU
NLSIU Research Fellowships
full · masters, phd
- 5 fellowship categoriesGraduate to distinguished
- ~₹55,000–₹65,000 / monthGraduate fellow stipend
- Up to ~₹2,00,000 / monthSenior fellow stipend
- 3 application roundsPer academic year
- Indian and internationalOpen to scholars
- 1 month to 3 yearsFlexible duration
At a glance
full
Funding
—
Max amount
Jan 15, 2027
Deadline
India
Country
National Law School of India University (NLSIU), Bengaluru
Provider
The NLSIU Research Fellowships are a fully funded programme run by the National Law School of India University in Bengaluru, India's first national law university, established in 1987. The 2025-26 to 2026-27 cycles offer 5 categories of fellowship spanning graduate, doctoral, postdoctoral, senior, and distinguished levels, supporting research in law, governance, public policy, social sciences, and allied disciplines. Fellows work on 21st-century challenges such as climate and ecological justice, law and artificial intelligence, data governance, biotechnology and ethics, risk regulation, and labour reform. Monthly stipends scale with seniority: Graduate Research Fellows receive around ₹55,000 to ₹65,000, Postdoctoral Fellows roughly ₹1,00,000 to ₹1,50,000, and University Research Fellows about ₹1,70,000 to ₹2,00,000, with doctoral stipends carrying a 10 percent annual increment. Fellows also gain library and seminar access, publication support, research mentorship, and the option to teach elective courses. Admission runs in 3 rounds across the year, with deadlines in September 2025, January 2026, and May 2026. Doctoral Fellowships are limited to full-time PhD candidates at NLSIU, while graduate and postdoctoral categories are open to domestic and international scholars. Because stipend bands and round deadlines are set per cycle, confirm the exact current-cycle figures on the official NLSIU research fellowships page before you apply.
What's covered
- Graduate fellow stipend — Monthly stipend of about ~₹55,000–₹65,000 (est.) for Graduate Research Fellows, paid for the duration of the fellowship.
- Postdoctoral fellow stipend — Monthly stipend of roughly ~₹1,00,000–₹1,50,000 (est.) for Postdoctoral Fellows holding a recent PhD.
- Senior fellow stipend — Monthly stipend of about ~₹1,70,000–₹2,00,000 (est.) for University Research Fellows, with doctoral stipends carrying a 10 percent annual increment.
- Research environment — Access to the NLSIU library, research community, and regular seminars and workshops.
- Publication and mentorship — Support for publishing in peer-reviewed journals, policy briefs, and blogs, plus research mentorship under experienced faculty.
- Teaching opportunity — Selected fellows may teach elective courses at NLSIU as part of their fellowship.
How to apply
Open-call categories (graduate, postdoctoral, and University Research Fellowships) accept online applications; distinguished fellowships are by invitation.
- Choose your category — Identify the fellowship category that matches your qualifications, from Graduate Research Fellowship to University Research Fellowship.
- Prepare your proposal — Draft a research proposal aligned with NLSIU's focus areas such as climate justice, AI and law, data governance, or labour reform.
- Submit the online application — Complete the online application with your research proposal, CV, and list of publications via the official NLSIU portal.
- Attend the interview — Shortlisted candidates are interviewed by the NLSIU Selection Committee before final decisions are made.
Eligibility
Graduate Research FellowshipA graduate degree in law or a postgraduate degree in social sciences, public policy, or allied fields.
Doctoral FellowshipFull-time PhD enrolment at NLSIU.
Postdoctoral FellowshipA PhD awarded within the last three years.
University Research FellowshipA PhD plus more than ten years of research or teaching experience with a strong publication record.
Doctoral Fellowships are restricted to full-time NLSIU PhD candidates. Distinguished University Fellowships and some University Research Fellowships are awarded by invitation only.
Eligible countries
India, Open to international applicants (category-dependent)
Deadlines
Round 1 (2025-26)~15 September 2025 (est.)
Round 2 (2025-26)~15 January 2026 (est.)
Round 3 (2025-26)~15 May 2026 (est.)
Selection
Open-call applications are screened on the strength of the research proposal, CV, and publication record, after which shortlisted candidates are interviewed by the NLSIU Selection Committee. Distinguished University Fellowships and select University Research Fellowships are filled by invitation to eminent scholars and professionals rather than open competition.
Verified sources
- NLSIU Research Fellowships (official)nls.ac.inofficial
About the provider
The National Law School of India University (NLSIU), founded in 1987 in Bengaluru, is India's first national law university and a centre for legal education and interdisciplinary research. It produces judges, lawyers, policymakers, and academics, and runs research fellowships across law, governance, and public policy.
Frequently asked questions
Answers below are best-effort estimates from the most recent application cycle. Values marked ~ or (est.) may shift year-to-year — confirm specifics on the official scholarship page.
Who can apply for NLSIU Research Fellowships?
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Indian and international scholars may apply depending on the fellowship category, from graduate-degree holders to senior researchers with PhDs and extensive experience.
Are the fellowships fully funded?
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Yes. All categories provide a monthly stipend along with research support, library access, and mentorship.
What disciplines are eligible?
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Law, governance, public policy, social sciences, and allied fields, with focus areas including climate justice, AI and law, data governance, and labour reform.
Can international students apply?
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Yes, most categories accept international applicants. Doctoral Fellowships, however, require full-time PhD enrolment at NLSIU.
How much is the stipend?
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Graduate Research Fellows receive about ~₹55,000–₹65,000 (est.) per month, Postdoctoral Fellows ~₹1,00,000–₹1,50,000 (est.), and University Research Fellows ~₹1,70,000–₹2,00,000 (est.).
What is the application process?
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Submit an online application with a research proposal, CV, and publications; shortlisted candidates are then interviewed by the Selection Committee.
Are Distinguished University Fellowships open to all?
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No. These are awarded by invitation only to eminent scholars and professionals.
How long do the fellowships last?
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Duration varies by category, ranging from one month to three years.
Are teaching opportunities included?
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Yes. Selected fellows may teach elective courses at NLSIU as part of their fellowship.
When are the application deadlines?
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There are three rounds: around 15 September 2025, 15 January 2026, and 15 May 2026 (est.). Confirm the exact dates on the official page.
What additional benefits are provided?
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Fellows gain access to the NLSIU library and seminars, publication support, networking with policymakers, and research mentorship from faculty.
How many fellowship categories are there?
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Five: Graduate Research, Doctoral, Postdoctoral, University Research, and Distinguished University Fellowships.