ASEAN-India Research Training Fellowship 2026

The ASEAN-India Research Training Fellowship (AI-RTF) by the Department of Science & Technology (DST) supports young researchers Read More... from ASEAN nations to conduct research in Indian institutions. Read less

Details

The ASEAN-India Research Training Fellowship (AI-RTF) is a special program designed by the Department of Science & Technology (DST), Government of India. It's part of the ASEAN-India Science & Technology Development Fund (AISTDF) and aims to help bright young scientists and researchers from ASEAN countries get hands-on research experience in India.

What Is This Scheme?

This fellowship provides a platform for scientists from Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam to work in Indian research or academic institutions. The main goal is to improve their research skills and knowledge.

Who Can Benefit From This Scheme?

Young, talented researchers and scientists from the 10 ASEAN member countries are the primary beneficiaries. They should have at least a Master's degree in science or an equivalent degree in technology, engineering, or medicine and be affiliated with a research or academic institution in their home country.

Why This Scheme Is Important

AI-RTF is crucial for fostering scientific exchange and collaboration between India and ASEAN nations. It helps build a network of researchers, share knowledge, and enhance the research capabilities of young scientists, ultimately contributing to advancements in science and technology.

Objective

The ASEAN-India Research Training Fellowship (AI-RTF) by the Department of Science & Technology (DST) supports young researchers from ASEAN nations to conduct research in Indian institutions.

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

Must hold the nationality of an ASEAN Member Country. Indian nationals are not eligible.
Must have at least a Master’s Degree in Natural Sciences or an equivalent degree in Technology/Engineering/Medicine or related fields.
Must be working/studying and affiliated with a national R&D or academic institution in their home ASEAN country.
The applicant's upper age limit is 45 years as of the application submission date.
Must be fluent in English.
Applications should be endorsed by the Head of the applicant's institution, confirming leave sanction for the fellowship period and return to duties.
ASEAN 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 be linked to and add value to ongoing research projects/schemes at the Indian host institution.

Important Notes:

It's highly recommended to contact an Indian institution or scientist in your area of interest beforehand and get a consent letter for hosting you.
While a list of institutions is provided, you can contact any other suitable institution in India.
Securing prior consent does not guarantee selection. DST makes the final decision based on the research proposal's quality, academic merit, and available slots.

How To Apply

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

Documents Required

For Application Submission:

Curriculum Vitae (CV) of the Applicant.
CV of the proposed Indian host.
Copy of relevant pages of a valid Passport.
Endorsement letter from the present employer in the prescribed format.
Acceptance letter from an Indian scientist/institution for hosting the applicant, if selected, in the prescribed format.

To be Submitted After Fellowship Approval:

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

FAQ’s

How many fellowships are offered each year under the AI-RTF scheme?

Each year, a total of 50 fellowships are awarded to promising young scientists and researchers from ASEAN member states to work with Indian academic and R&D institutions.

Can Indian citizens apply for this fellowship?

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

What is the maximum age limit to be eligible for this fellowship?

Applicants must be 45 years old or younger as of the application submission deadline to be considered for the fellowship.

What kind of financial support can a fellow expect?

Selected fellows will receive comprehensive financial support, including a monthly allowance of INR 60,000, a one-time grant of INR 40,000 for research contingencies and travel, and coverage for international airfare, visa, and overseas medical insurance. Institutional overhead charges of INR 2,500 per month are also provided.

What is the purpose of the ASEAN-India Research Training Fellowship?

The main aim is to encourage scientists and researchers from ASEAN countries to visit India, enhance their research skills at Indian institutions, and build research collaborations between India and ASEAN nations.

What are the broad research areas covered by the fellowship?

The fellowship covers various fields within natural and engineering sciences, including Agricultural Sciences, Biological and Medical Sciences, Chemical Sciences & Engineering, Computer Science & Engineering, Physical Sciences and Mathematics, Ocean, Earth & Atmospheric Sciences, Engineering Sciences, Materials, Minerals and Metallurgy, and Science Policy/IPR Management/Technology Transfer & Commercialization. It also includes other multidisciplinary areas aligned with APASTI, but excludes humanities and behavioral sciences.

What is the duration of the fellowship period?

The fellowship duration can range from two to six months. Please note that requests to extend or reduce this period after the fellowship has been awarded will not be considered.

Who is responsible for managing and implementing the AI-RTF program?

The AI-RTF program is managed and coordinated by the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI) in New Delhi.

What documents are required when applying for the fellowship?

When applying, you'll need to submit your CV, the CV of your proposed Indian host, a copy of your passport's relevant pages, an endorsement letter from your current employer, and an acceptance letter from an Indian scientist/institution that agrees to host you.

Is prior contact with an Indian institution necessary before applying?

While not strictly mandatory, it is strongly advised to make prior contact with an Indian institution or scientist in your field of interest. Obtaining a consent letter from them is beneficial for your application.