ASEAN-India Research Training Fellowship 2026

The ASEAN-India Research Training Fellowship (AI-RTF) supports young scientists from ASEAN nations to pursue research in Indian Read More... institutions, funded by the ASEAN-India Science & Technology Development Fund. Read less

Details

Are you a young researcher from an ASEAN country looking to gain international experience? The Department of Science & Technology, Government of India, through the ASEAN-India Science & Technology Development Fund (AISTDF), offers the ASEAN-India Research Training Fellowship (AI-RTF). This fellowship is a fantastic opportunity for talented young scientists and researchers from ten ASEAN member countries to conduct research in leading Indian R&D and academic institutions.

What Is This Scheme?

The AI-RTF scheme aims to foster scientific collaboration and skill development between India and ASEAN nations. It allows promising researchers to work in Indian institutions, enhancing their expertise and building valuable international connections. As a bonus, fellows may even get Indian co-supervisors for their PhD or Master's degrees once they return home.

Who Can Benefit From This Scheme?

This fellowship is specifically designed for bright young scientists and researchers who are citizens of ASEAN member countries. Applicants need to have at least a Master's degree in natural sciences, technology, engineering, medicine, or allied fields. They must also be affiliated with a research or academic institution in their home country and be under 45 years old.

Why This Scheme Is Important

The AI-RTF scheme plays a crucial role in promoting the exchange of knowledge and technology between India and the ASEAN region. By supporting the mobility of researchers, it helps upgrade their skills, create networks for future research collaborations, and align scientific efforts with the ASEAN Plan of Action on Science, Technology, and Innovation (APASTI).

Objective

The ASEAN-India Research Training Fellowship (AI-RTF) supports young scientists from ASEAN nations to pursue research in Indian institutions, funded by the ASEAN-India Science & Technology Development Fund.

Benefits

1. Full financial assistance will be provided to the selected Fellows which includes the following:-

a) Round trip international airfare by lowest economy class and by the shortest route from the international airport in the home country of the applicant to the international airport nearest to the host institution in India; visa fees, overseas medical insurance, etc.

b) A consolidated Fellowship amount of Indian Rupees (INR) 60,000/- per month.

c) One-time grant of INR 40,000/- as research contingency expenses, airport transfers, domestic travel for attending scientific /events, and field trips within India.

d) Institutional overhead charges @ INR 2,500/- per month.

e) The allowance as in (a), (b) & (c) will be released to the host institution in India for disbursement to the Fellow. The host Institution will arrange appropriate accommodation for the Fellow on a payment basis.

2. The selected Fellow is advised to take an appropriate policy for health insurance coverage for the period of stay in India. The cost of obtaining an overseas insurance policy is covered and reimbursable under AISTDF.

3. Individual Fellow, or his/ her government/institution, is required to bear the following costs:

a) All expenses in the home country incidental to travel abroad, including expenditure incurred to obtain passport and visa and for medical examinations and vaccinations as may be required as well as other miscellaneous expenses such as internal travel to/ from the international airport of departure in the home country.

b) Salary and other related allowances in the home country, if applicable, during the Fellowship period.

4. Neither the AISTDF nor the host institution in India will assume any responsibility whatsoever for the following expenditure of the Fellows during the tenure of the Fellowship:

a) Compensation in the event of death, disability, or loss of personal belongings or compensation for damage caused by climatic or other conditions.

b) Travel and other costs incurred by the dependents, who might accompany the Fellows.

Sources and references

Official Website

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must be citizens of any ASEAN Member Country. Indian nationals are not eligible.
Hold at least a Master’s Degree in any Natural Sciences or an equivalent degree in Technology/Engineering/Medicine or allied fields.
Be currently working, studying, and/or affiliated with a national R&D or academic institution in their home ASEAN Member Country.
The upper age limit is 45 years as of the application submission date.
Be fluent in the English language.
Applications must be endorsed by the Head of the applicant's institution, confirming sanctioned leave for the fellowship period and return to duty afterward.
Applicants who have received any fellowship from the Government of India in the last 3 years are not eligible.
The proposed research in India must align with and add value to ongoing research projects at the Indian host institute.

Important Notes:

It is highly recommended to contact an Indian institution or scientist in your area of interest beforehand and obtain a consent letter. This prior consent is crucial but does not guarantee selection.
You are free to contact any Indian institution, not just those on the provided suggestive list.
Final selection depends on the quality of your research proposal, academic merit, and available fellowship slots, as decided by DST.

Fellow Obligations:

Fellows must adhere to host institution rules and refrain from infringing on human rights or engaging in discriminatory practices.
Continuous stay in India during the fellowship tenure is mandatory, focusing solely on scientific work at the host institution. No other paid or unpaid work is allowed.
No research misconduct, including fabricating results or misusing funds, will be tolerated.
A completion research report must be submitted to DST/FICCI and the ASEAN Secretariat. (Format for AI-RTF completion report)
Transferring biological material during the fellowship is strictly prohibited.

How To Apply

Applications must be submitted only ONLINE.
Visit the official portal: https://aistic.gov.in/ASEAN/aistdfFellowship.
Hard copies of applications are not required. Applications submitted through any other method will not be considered.

Documents Required

During Application Submission:

CV of Applicant
CV of Indian Host
Copy of relevant Passport pages
Endorsement letter from your current employer (in the prescribed format)
Acceptance letter from an Indian scientist/institution for hosting you, if selected (in the prescribed format)

After Fellowship Approval:

Letter of acceptance by Parent Institute (Format)
Letter of consent by Indian Host Institute (Format)
RTGS details of Indian Host Institute (Endorsed by Institute) (Format)
Itinerary options (Tickets will be booked by the AI-RTF Secretariat) (Format)
Joining notification (By Indian Host Institution) (Format)

FAQ’s

What is the main aim of the ASEAN-India Research Training Fellowship (AI-RTF)?

The AI-RTF scheme aims to help young, talented researchers and scientists from ASEAN member countries get research experience in Indian research and academic institutions. It’s part of the ASEAN-India Science & Technology Development Fund (AISTDF) to boost collaboration.

Can an Indian citizen apply for this fellowship?

No, this fellowship is exclusively for citizens of ASEAN Member Countries. Indian nationals are not eligible to apply.

What kind of financial support does the fellowship offer?

Selected fellows get full financial support. This includes round-trip airfare, visa fees, overseas medical insurance, a monthly stipend of INR 60,000/-, a research contingency grant of INR 40,000/-, and institutional overhead charges of INR 2,500/- per month. Accommodation will be arranged by the host institution on a payment basis.

What is the maximum duration for the fellowship?

The fellowship can last anywhere from two to six months. Once the fellowship is awarded, you cannot request any changes to this duration, whether an extension or a reduction.

Who manages and runs the AI-RTF program?

The Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI) in New Delhi is responsible for managing and coordinating the ASEAN-India Research Training Fellowship program.

What are the research areas covered by this fellowship?

The fellowship is open to research in all fields of natural and engineering sciences, including mathematics and statistics. This covers areas like Agricultural Sciences, Biological and Medical Sciences, Chemical Sciences & Engineering, Computer Science & Engineering, Physical Sciences and Mathematics, Ocean, Earth & Atmospheric Sciences, Engineering Sciences, and Materials, Minerals and Metallurgy. Science Policy, IPR Management, and Technology Transfer are also included. Humanities and behavioral sciences are not covered.

How many fellowships are granted each year?

Each year, a total of fifty (50) fellowships are awarded to deserving young scientists and researchers from ASEAN Member States to facilitate their research work in Indian academic and R&D institutions.

What are the basic academic and professional requirements to apply?

To be eligible, you must have at least a Master’s Degree in Natural Sciences or an equivalent degree in Technology/Engineering/Medicine or related fields. You also need to be currently affiliated with an R&D or academic institution in your home ASEAN country. Applicants must be under 45 years old.

Where can I submit my application for the fellowship?

All applications must be submitted online through the official portal at https://aistic.gov.in/ASEAN/aistdfFellowship. Paper applications will not be accepted.

What is the purpose behind this fellowship program?

The scheme aims to encourage researchers from ASEAN countries to visit and work in India, helping them improve their research skills and expertise. It also seeks to foster better information exchange and establish connections between scientists from India and ASEAN countries, leading to stronger research collaborations.