IIT Madras Invites Applications for Institute Post-Doctoral Fellowship 2026-27

The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras has officially launched its Institute Post-Doctoral Fellowship (IPDF) programme for the 2026-27 academic cycle. Designed to support early-career researchers, the initiative aims to help scholars bridge the gap between their doctoral studies and a potential future in academia by providing a platform to enhance their research profiles.

The fellowship offers significant financial support, with selected candidates receiving a monthly stipend of INR 1.30 lakh. This total amount is structured as a combination of INR 70,000 provided by the institute and INR 60,000 in faculty support. Beyond the monthly stipend, fellows are entitled to a contingency grant of INR 2 lakh per year, along with medical benefits consistent with those provided to PhD scholars and financial assistance for attending academic conferences.

Eligibility Criteria and Application Requirements

To be considered for the IPDF, applicants must have completed their PhD within the last five years and demonstrate a strong research background. A mandatory requirement for all candidates is the publication of at least two papers in Q1 journals, where the applicant is listed as the primary author. Furthermore, there is an age limit of 32 years, though specific relaxations are available: five years for SC/ST and women candidates, and three years for OBC-NCL candidates.

A critical step in the application process is securing a nomination from an IIT Madras faculty mentor. Prospective fellows are required to identify a faculty member whose research interests align with their own proposed work and obtain their formal concurrence to supervise the post-doctoral project. Applicants must secure a signed Commitment Form, known as Annexure 1, from their chosen mentor before submitting their application.

Fellowship Duration and Submission Process

The fellowship is initially granted for a period of one year, with the possibility of extension for up to three years, contingent upon the fellow's performance and adherence to institutional conditions. The programme requires a minimum commitment of two years from the selected researchers. Unlike many academic programmes that operate on a fixed schedule, IIT Madras has confirmed that applications for the IPDF are accepted on a rolling basis throughout the year.

Interested candidates should begin by identifying a suitable faculty mentor at the institute to discuss their research proposal. Once the mentor’s support is confirmed and the necessary documentation is prepared, candidates may proceed with their application through their identified faculty supervisor. This flexible application window allows researchers to apply at a time that best suits their current academic progress and research goals.