NLSIU Research Fellowships 2025-26 – Fully Funded, India

The National Law School of India University (NLSIU), Bengaluru, India’s premier law institution, has announced its Research Fellowships Programme 2025-26. These fully funded law fellowships India are designed to nurture research excellence in law, governance, social sciences, public policy, and allied disciplines. Fellows engage with the University’s key challenges of the 21st century, including climate justice, law and technology, labor and work reforms, state capacity, and access to justice.

These NLSIU Research Fellowships 2025-26 provide an exceptional platform for graduates, PhD candidates, postdoctoral researchers, and distinguished professionals to contribute to path-breaking scholarship and policy innovations.

Established in 1987, NLSIU is India’s first national law university, consistently ranked among the top institutions for legal education. The University is recognized for rigorous curriculum, interdisciplinary research, and a dynamic intellectual community, producing leading judges, lawyers, policymakers, academics, and corporate professionals.

Fellowship Categories and Degree Levels

NLSIU offers five categories of graduate and doctoral fellowships NLSIU:

1. Graduate Research Fellowships (Short-term & Long-term)

   • Level: Graduate/Postgraduate degree holders

   • Duration: 3 months – 2 years

2. Doctoral Fellowships

   • Level: Full-time PhD candidates at NLSIU

   • Duration: 3 years

3. Postdoctoral Fellowships

   • Level: Fresh PhD holders (within 3 years of award)

   • Duration: 1–2 years

4. University Research Fellowships

   • Level: Senior scholars with PhD + 10+ years teaching/research experience

   • Duration: 1–2 years

5. Distinguished University Fellowships

   • Level: Eminent scholars and professionals (by invitation)

   • Duration: 1 month – 2 years

Eligible Subjects

The law and governance research fellowships cover law, social sciences, public policy, and allied disciplines, focusing on:

• Climate, biodiversity, and ecological justice

• Law and artificial intelligence

• Data governance and regulation

• Biotechnology, health, and ethics

• Risk regulation and legal system reform

• Labor, work, and state reform

Fellowship Benefits

• Monthly Stipend:

  • Graduate Research Fellows: ₹55,000 – ₹65,000

  • Doctoral Fellows: with 10% annual increment (per PhD regulations)

  • Postdoctoral Fellows: ₹1,00,000 – ₹1,50,000

  • University Research Fellows: ₹1,70,000 – ₹2,00,000

• Teaching elective courses at NLSIU

• Access to NLSIU’s library, research community, and seminars

• Publication support in peer-reviewed journals, policy briefs, and blogs

• Networking with leading scholars and policymakers

• Research mentorship under experienced faculty

Eligible Nationalities

• Open to Indian and international applicants (depending on fellowship category)

• Doctoral Fellowships: Only full-time PhD candidates at NLSIU

• Graduate and Postdoctoral Fellowships: Open to domestic and international scholars

• Distinguished University Fellowships: Invitation only

Eligibility Criteria

• Graduate Research Fellowship: Graduate degree in law / postgraduate degree in social sciences, public policy, or allied fields

• Doctoral Fellowship: Full-time PhD enrollment at NLSIU

• Postdoctoral Fellowship: PhD awarded within the last 3 years

• University Research Fellowship: PhD + 10+ years research/teaching with strong publication record

• Distinguished University Fellowship: Eminent scholars or professionals (invitation only)

Application Procedure

1. Open Call for Applications – Graduate, Postdoctoral, and University Fellowships

   • Submit online application with research proposal, CV, and publications

   • Shortlisted candidates will face an interview by NLSIU’s Selection Committee

2. By Invitation – Distinguished University Fellowships and select University Research Fellowships

Visit official website: NLSIU Research Fellowships 2025-2026, India.

Fellowship Timeline – Academic Year 2025-26

FAQs – NLSIU Research Fellowships

1. Who can apply for NLSIU Research Fellowships?
Open to Indian and international scholars depending on fellowship category.

2. Are fellowships fully funded?
Yes, all fully funded law fellowships India provide a monthly stipend and research support.

3. What disciplines are eligible?
Law, social sciences, public policy, and allied fields, with focus areas like climate justice, AI law, and labor reform.

4. Can international students apply?
Yes, most fellowships accept international applicants. Doctoral fellowships require full-time enrollment at NLSIU.

5. What is the application process?
Submit an online application with CV, research proposal, and publications. Shortlisted candidates attend an interview.

6. Are Distinguished University Fellowships open to all?
No, these are by invitation only for eminent scholars and professionals.

7. How long do fellowships last?
Duration varies by category, ranging from 1 month to 3 years.

8. Are teaching opportunities included?
Yes, select fellowships allow teaching elective courses at NLSIU.

9. When are the application deadlines?
First Round: Sep 15, 2025 | Second Round: Jan 15, 2026 | Third Round: May 15, 2026

10. What additional benefits are provided?
Access to NLSIU library, seminars, networking with policymakers, publication support, and mentorship.