Sarkari Yojana
ASEAN-India Research Training Fellowship
About ASEAN-India Research Training Fellowship
The ASEAN-India Research Training Fellowship (AI-RTF) is a fellowship programme set up by the Department of Science & Technology (DST), Government of India, under the ASEAN-India Science & Technology Development Fund (AISTDF). It gives promising young researchers and scientists from ASEAN member states — Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam — the chance to carry out research at an Indian research or academic institution.
Objectives:
AI-RTF was set up to:
- Encourage scientists and researchers from ASEAN nations to move to India and work at Indian R&D or academic institutions, sharpening their research skills in the process.
- Build networks and information exchange between Indian and ASEAN researchers, laying the groundwork for future collaboration.
As a bonus, awardees may also find Indian co-supervisors for their PhD or Master’s research once they return home.
Number of Fellowships:
Fifty fellowships are awarded each year to young ASEAN scientists and researchers to affiliate with Indian academic and R&D institutions.
Fellowship Duration:
Each fellowship runs for two to six months, and no extension or shortening of that period is entertained once awarded.
Management & Execution:
The Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI), New Delhi, manages and coordinates AI-RTF.
Eligible Research Areas:
The chosen research topic must be ASEAN-centric and align with the ASEAN Plan of Action on Science, Technology, and Innovation (APASTI), falling under one of these broad disciplines: • 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 • Science Policy/IPR Management/Technology Transfer & Commercialization • Other multi-disciplinary areas of Science, Technology and Innovation aligned with APASTI.
Note: All natural and engineering sciences fields, including mathematics and statistics, are covered — except humanities and behavioural sciences.
Scheme Overview
Central Government
Ministry Of Science And Technology
Federation Of Indian Chambers Of Commerce & Industry (FICCI), New Delhi
Individual
Scheme Details
Eligibility Requirements
To qualify for ASEAN-India Research Training Fellowship , applicants must satisfy the following conditions:
Indian nationals cannot apply for this Fellowship
Indian nationals cannot apply for this Fellowship.
The applicant must hold the nationality of an…
The applicant must hold the nationality of an ASEAN Member Country.
The applicant must hold at least a Master's…
The applicant must hold at least a Master's degree in a Natural Science, or an equivalent degree in Technology/Engineering/Medicine or an allied field.
The applicant must be working, studying, or otherwise…
The applicant must be working, studying, or otherwise affiliated with a national R&D or academic institution in their home ASEAN country.
The Head of the applicant's institution must endorse…
The Head of the applicant's institution must endorse the application, confirming leave will be granted for the fellowship period and that the applicant will resume duties on returning.
The applicant must be no older than 45…
The applicant must be no older than 45 as of the application date.
The applicant must be fluent in English
The applicant must be fluent in English.
ASEAN applicants who have used any Government of…
ASEAN applicants who have used any Government of India fellowship scheme in the past 3 years cannot apply.
The proposed Indian research work must connect with…
The proposed Indian research work must connect with and add value to an ongoing research project or scheme at the host institute. Note 01: Applicants are strongly encouraged to reach out beforehand to an Indian institution or scientist already working in their area of interest, and secure a consent letter confirming they'll be hosted if selected — this letter should be included with the application. Note 02: A suggestive list of Indian academic and R&D institutions accompanies this announcement to help applicants, though they remain free to approach any other Indian institution. Note 03: Prior consent from an Indian institution or scientist doesn't guarantee selection. DST scientifically reviews every application and makes the final call based on the research proposal's quality, the applicant's academic record, and available fellowship slots. Obligations of AI-RTF Fellows: Fellows must follow these rules, or risk having the fellowship withdrawn:
Fellows must not, in or outside the host…
Fellows must not, in or outside the host institution, infringe on others' human rights, including through racial or gender discrimination or other abuse.
Fellows must stay in India for the entire…
Fellows must stay in India for the entire fellowship tenure and focus on their scientific work at the host institution, without taking on other paid or unpaid work.
Fellows must follow the host institution's rules and…
Fellows must follow the host institution's rules and avoid research misconduct such as fabricating or falsifying results, or misusing research funds.
Each Fellow must submit a completion research report…
Each Fellow must submit a completion research report to DST/FICCI and the ASEAN Secretariat once their tenure ends (format for the AI-RTF completion report.pdf&PathKey=imrcd_files)).
Transferring any biological material during the fellowship is…
Transferring any biological material during the fellowship is not permitted.
Benefits Provided
ASEAN-India Research Training Fellowship provides the following benefits to eligible applicants:
Selected Fellows receive full financial assistance, covering
Selected Fellows receive full financial assistance, covering:
Round-trip international airfare (lowest economy class, shortest route)…
Round-trip international airfare (lowest economy class, shortest route) between the applicant's home-country airport and the airport nearest the host institution in India, plus visa fees, overseas medical insurance, and similar costs.
A consolidated fellowship amount of ₹60,000 per month
A consolidated fellowship amount of ₹60,000 per month.
A one-time grant of ₹40,000 for research contingencies,…
A one-time grant of ₹40,000 for research contingencies, airport transfers, domestic travel to scientific events, and field trips within India.
Institutional overhead charges of ₹2,500 per month
Institutional overhead charges of ₹2,500 per month.
The amounts in (a), (b) and (c) are…
The amounts in (a), (b) and (c) are released to the host institution in India for onward disbursement to the Fellow, and the host institution arranges paid accommodation for the Fellow.
Selected Fellows are advised to take out appropriate…
Selected Fellows are advised to take out appropriate health insurance for their stay in India; the cost of an overseas insurance policy is reimbursable under AISTDF.
The Fellow (or their government/institution) must bear
The Fellow (or their government/institution) must bear:
All home-country expenses tied to travelling abroad —…
All home-country expenses tied to travelling abroad — passport and visa costs, medical exams and vaccinations, and incidental travel to the departure airport.
Salary and related allowances back home during the…
Salary and related allowances back home during the fellowship period, if applicable.
Neither AISTDF nor the host institution takes responsibility…
Neither AISTDF nor the host institution takes responsibility for:
Compensation for death, disability, loss of belongings, or…
Compensation for death, disability, loss of belongings, or damage from climatic or other conditions.
Travel or other costs for any dependents accompanying…
Travel or other costs for any dependents accompanying the Fellow.
Documents Required
Applicants should keep the following documents ready before starting the application:
Documents needed at the time of application:
CV of the applicant
CV of the applicant.
CV of the Indian host
CV of the Indian host.
Copy of relevant passport pages
Copy of relevant passport pages.
Endorsement letter from the current employer, in the…
Endorsement letter from the current employer, in the prescribed format.
Acceptance letter from the Indian scientist/institution agreeing to…
Acceptance letter from the Indian scientist/institution agreeing to host the applicant if selected, in the prescribed format. Documents needed after the fellowship is approved:
Letter of acceptance from the parent institute (format)
Letter of acceptance from the parent institute (format).
Letter of consent from the Indian host institute…
Letter of consent from the Indian host institute (format).
RTGS details of the Indian host institute, endorsed…
RTGS details of the Indian host institute, endorsed by the institute (format).
Itinerary options, since tickets are booked by the…
Itinerary options, since tickets are booked by the AI-RTF Secretariat (format).
Joining notification from the Indian host institution (format)
Joining notification from the Indian host institution (format).
How to Apply
Online Application
Applicants can apply for ASEAN-India Research Training Fellowship through the online application process outlined below.
Applications go in only ONLINE at www.aistic.gov.in
Applications go in only ONLINE at www.aistic.gov.in.
First, register on the ASEAN online portal
First, register on the ASEAN online portal. Click here to register
Once registered, log in to apply for the…
Once registered, log in to apply for the fellowship.
Fill in every mandatory field in the Profile…
Fill in every mandatory field in the Profile Detail section under User Profile — bio-data, photo, institute address, and so on.
At proposal submission, provide the project title, summary,…
At proposal submission, provide the project title, summary, keywords, objectives, and expected output/outcome.
After checking everything, submit the application form
After checking everything, submit the application form. Note 01: Any other relevant proposal information must be uploaded as a single PDF, no larger than 10MB. Note 02: Hard copies of the application are not needed. Note 03: Applications submitted via any other channel or form will not be considered. For more information on the AI-RTF programme, contact Ms. Sadia Khan (sadia.khan@ficci.com).
Objectives
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Official Application & Website
Verify the latest eligibility, dates and instructions before applying.