The Dr Kasturirangan Trust, set up in Bengaluru to carry forward the legacy of former ISRO Chairman Dr Krishnaswamy Kasturirangan, has announced its first initiative: the Dr Kasturirangan 2027 Fellowship.
The fellowship will support six young researchers who have recently submitted their PhD thesis and are starting postdoctoral work in India. Each fellow will get Rs. 4 lakh in research funding, along with mentorship from eminent experts, two workshops a year and a place in a growing peer community.
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For 2027, the fellowship is by nomination only. Nominations will be accepted from 1 November 2026 till 31 December 2026, and the first cohort of fellows will be announced on 25 April 2027, the first death anniversary of Dr Kasturirangan. In this article, we have covered the fellowship’s benefits, eligibility, nomination process, selection process, important dates and more.
Dr Kasturirangan Fellowship 2027 – Overview
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Fellowship Name | Dr Kasturirangan 2027 Fellowship |
| Offered By | Dr Kasturirangan Trust, Bengaluru |
| Number of Fellows | 6 |
| For Whom | Recent PhD graduates starting postdoctoral research in India |
| Fellowship Amount | Rs. 4 lakh for one year (renewable for one more year) |
| Other Benefits | Mentorship, two workshops a year, peer community |
| Focus Areas | Space & technology, education, sustainability, public policy |
| Nationality | Indian citizens only |
| Application Mode | By nomination only (no self-nomination) |
| Nomination Window | 1 November 2026 to 31 December 2026 |
| Result Date | 25 April 2027 |
| Official Website | drkasturirangantrust.org |
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Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Nomination window opens | 1 November 2026 |
| Last date for submission | 31 December 2026 |
| Interviews for shortlisted candidates | Mid-March to early April 2027 |
| Postdoc position must begin by | 31 March 2027 |
| Fellows announced | 25 April 2027 |
Fellowship Benefits
Selected fellows will get the following support:
- Financial support: Rs. 4 lakh for one year towards research costs, with a possibility of renewal for one more year.
- Mentorship: Regular chances to interact with eminent people from different fields, discuss progress and get guidance.
- Workshops: Two workshops a year (online or in person), where fellows present their work and get informal feedback from invited experts and peers.
- Peer community: A place in a growing network of fellows. Past fellows are encouraged to keep attending Trust events.
Objectives of the Fellowship
- Support emerging leaders who want to improve existing methods and systems to solve educational and social problems.
- Back researchers working on cross-disciplinary, interdisciplinary or multidisciplinary topics that link science, engineering, humanities and social sciences.
What Is Expected from Fellows
- Attend and take an active part in workshops and mentoring events.
- Present their vision and progress updates at set times.
- Follow Dr Kasturirangan’s values in their professional work.
- Stay connected with the Trust’s community even after the fellowship.
Dr Kasturirangan Fellowship 2027 Eligibility
Candidates must meet all of the following conditions:
| Criteria | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Nationality | Must be an Indian citizen |
| PhD Thesis | Submitted at an Indian institution between 1 January 2025 and 31 December 2026 |
| Postdoc Offer | Must have an offer for a postdoctoral position at an Indian institution, starting by 31 March 2027 |
| Research Record | Proven research ability through peer-reviewed publications or conference presentations |
| Nomination | Must be from a selected university and nominated by a selected individual, as defined by the Trust |
| Self-nomination | Not allowed |
Focus Areas
The Trust works in four areas. Preference goes to research that spans more than one of these areas and has real-world use:
| Focus Area | Example Research Themes |
|---|---|
| Space and Technology | Satellite applications, remote sensing, space policy, emerging technologies |
| Education | Learning outcomes, NEP 2020 implementation, teacher training, edtech |
| Sustainability | Climate, ecology, conservation (such as the Western Ghats), clean energy |
| Public Policy | Science policy, governance, technology regulation, development planning |
Note: The example themes are given for guidance only. The Trust has not published a fixed list of topics.
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How to Apply: Nomination Process
For the 2027 cycle, candidates cannot apply directly. Nominations come from a panel of eminent individuals who knew Dr Kasturirangan, or from leading universities chosen by the Trust. The Trust plans to open the fellowship to direct applications in later years.
Here is how the process works:
- Nomination: A member of the selected panel nominates the candidate between 1 November and 31 December 2026.
- Email from the Trust: The nominated candidate gets an email with a link to the online application portal.
- Online application: The candidate fills in details, answers the prompts and uploads the required documents.
- Submit by 31 December 2026.
Documents Required
| Document | Details |
|---|---|
| Curriculum Vitae (CV) | Maximum 2 pages |
| Proof of PhD thesis submission | Thesis submitted between 1 January 2025 and 31 December 2026 |
| Statement of Purpose | About 450 words on the problem you are working on and why it matters for society and the nation |
| Vision Statement | How your research will create impact for the community |
Tip from the Trust: In your Statement of Purpose, clearly show how your work is interdisciplinary, what impact you expect, and how it is relevant to academia, industry or public policy.
Selection Process
- Nomination by selected individuals.
- Shortlisting: A jury of experts reviews applications and shortlists candidates based on merit and fit with the Trust’s values and goals.
- Interview: Shortlisted candidates are interviewed by a panel between mid-March and early April 2027.
- Announcement: Six fellows will be announced on 25 April 2027.
About the Dr Kasturirangan Trust
The Dr Kasturirangan Trust was launched at an inaugural event in Bengaluru on 25 October. It is a non-profit, non-political public charitable trust set up to honour Dr Kasturirangan’s legacy of innovation, interdisciplinary thinking and nation-building through knowledge and education.
Its motto is “Cultivating Excellence. Futures Thinking. Advancing Humanity.”
What the Trust Does
- Awards fellowships, scholarships and grants to researchers
- Organises conferences
- Supports book-writing and scientific curation
- Works with institutions in India and abroad to promote research and better public policy
- In the long run, plans to build an institution for future-focused research and problem-solving for India
Governance
The Trust is run by a Board of Trustees, an Advisory Board and an Executive Council. It follows Dr Kasturirangan’s values of responsible research, compassion, excellence and respect for nature.
Speaking at the launch, Trustee Dr Sanjay Rangan said the Trust hopes to carry forward Dr Kasturirangan’s belief in using knowledge and research to tackle the country’s challenges, by bringing people and institutions together.
Address: Alder 1002, Godrej Woodsman Estate, Hebbal, Bengaluru – 560024 Email: [email protected] Office hours: 9 AM to 5 PM
Who Was Dr K. Kasturirangan?
Dr Krishnaswamy Kasturirangan (24 October 1940 – 25 April 2025) was one of India’s most respected space scientists and institution builders. Over five decades, he helped shape India’s space programme, science policy and education system.
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Dr Krishnaswamy Kasturirangan |
| Born | 24 October 1940 |
| Died | 25 April 2025 |
| Known For | Leading India’s space programme at ISRO; chairing the NEP 2020 drafting committee |
| Public Roles | Nominated Member of Rajya Sabha; Member, Planning Commission |
| Policy Work | Chaired panels on the Western Ghats conservation and the National Education Policy 2020 |
| Awards | Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan, Padma Vibhushan |
Key Moments from His Life
- A scientist’s voice in Parliament: In December 2007, he spoke in the Rajya Sabha on the India–US civil nuclear deal. He argued on technical merits, keeping in mind India’s growth and natural resources. He believed that international cooperation in science strengthens India’s own efforts.
- Leading NEP 2020: When asked to lead the new education policy, he wondered why he was chosen. He decided that having no prior ties to the education sector freed him to listen to people with very different views, which helped produce a balanced NEP 2020.
- Honouring Kalpana Chawla: He was thrilled by Kalpana Chawla’s first spaceflight in 1997 and deeply saddened by her death in the Columbia disaster in 2003. He was behind renaming ISRO’s weather satellite METSAT as KALPANA-1 in her honour.
His guiding belief, quoted on the Trust’s website, was that every phase of work should contribute to a larger national vision.
FAQs on Dr Kasturirangan Fellowship 2027
What is the Dr Kasturirangan Fellowship 2027? It is the first initiative of the Dr Kasturirangan Trust. It supports six recent PhD graduates starting postdoctoral research in India, with Rs. 4 lakh, mentorship and workshops.
How much is the Dr Kasturirangan Fellowship amount? Each fellow gets Rs. 4 lakh for one year, with a possibility of renewal for one more year.
How many fellows will be selected? Six fellows will be selected in the first cohort.
Can I apply directly for the fellowship? No. For 2027, the fellowship is by nomination only, and self-nominations are not allowed. The Trust plans an open call in later years.
Who can nominate candidates? Selected individuals, including eminent people who knew Dr Kasturirangan, and selected leading universities, as defined by the Trust.
What is the last date for nominations? The last date is 31 December 2026.
Who is eligible for the Dr Kasturirangan Fellowship? Indian citizens who submitted their PhD thesis at an Indian institution between 1 January 2025 and 31 December 2026, have a postdoc offer at an Indian institution starting by 31 March 2027, and have published research.
What documents are needed? A 2-page CV, proof of PhD thesis submission, a Statement of Purpose (about 450 words) and a Vision Statement.
When will the results be announced? The fellows will be announced on 25 April 2027.
Which research areas are supported? Space and technology, education, sustainability and public policy. Research that links more than one area is preferred.
How do I contact the Dr Kasturirangan Trust? Email [email protected], or visit the office at Hebbal, Bengaluru, between 9 AM and 5 PM.
