Completed your PhD? Apply for IIT Madras' Rs 1.30 lakh monthly fellowship

IIT Madras has opened applications for its Institute Post-Doctoral Fellowship for PhD holders. The programme links doctoral research to faculty careers through mentor-led, proposal-based selection.

In Short

• PhD holders can apply within five years, with age relaxations available
• Applicants need at least two Q1 journal papers as primary contributor
• Candidates must apply through a faculty mentor and secure funding commitment

The Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) has invited applications for its Institute Post-Doctoral Fellowship (IPDF), offering PhD holders an opportunity to pursue advanced research at the institute. The programme is designed to attract researchers with strong academic records and help bridge the gap between doctoral research and faculty-level careers.

According to the official IIT Madras guidelines, PhD degree holders can apply for the fellowship within five years of completing their PhD. The maximum age limit is 32 years as on the date of joining.

Age relaxation is available for eligible categories. SC/ST and women candidates will receive a relaxation of five years, while OBC-NCL candidates will receive a three-year relaxation.

Applicants must also have published at least two Q1 (top-quartile) journal papers as a primary contributor.

PhD scholars who have already submitted their thesis can also apply. However, they must submit their provisional or degree certificate within six months of appointment. If they fail to do so within the stipulated period, the appointment may be cancelled or a decision may be taken in consultation with the authority processing their thesis.

FACULTY NOMINATION REQUIRED

Candidates cannot apply independently of a proposed mentor. They must identify an IIT Madras faculty member working in their area of research and discuss their proposed research with the faculty member.

The candidate must obtain the faculty member's concurrence and apply through that faculty member. The mentor must also sign a commitment of funds, as adequate funding availability is verified before the fellowship offer is released.

Candidates should identify potential mentors through the respective IIT Madras department websites and prepare their research proposal accordingly.

RESEARCH PROPOSAL SHOULD BE ORIGINAL

The proposed research is an important part of the selection process. IIT Madras states that the proposal should demonstrate strength and novelty and should not merely be an extension of the candidate's PhD work.

The selection committee will also consider the expertise the applicant brings to the mentor's or department's research area and the potential value addition to both the department and the candidate.

IIT MADRAS IPDF 2026: SELECTION PROCESS

After receiving the application, the concerned department will scrutinise the candidate's eligibility.

Eligible candidates will then undergo a seminar-based evaluation by the Departmental Evaluation Committee (DEC). The committee will assess the research proposal, the candidate's expertise and the potential contribution of the proposed work.

Candidates found suitable by the DEC will move to the Institute Selection Committee (ISC). The ISC includes senior institute and departmental representatives as well as members from allied departments. It will interview the candidates and recommend the selected candidates to the Director for approval.

The selection process is conducted throughout the year, rather than being restricted to one annual selection cycle.

For candidates who obtained their PhD from IIT Madras, the proposed mentor must be a faculty member other than their PhD guide(s).

FELLOWSHIP AMOUNT, CONTINGENCY GRANT

The IIT Madras IPDF offers a consolidated monthly fellowship of Rs 1,30,000.

This comprises a Rs 70,000 institute component and a minimum Rs 60,000 top-up from faculty project funds.

In addition, fellows are eligible for a Rs 2 lakh annual contingency grant, which can be used for travel, contingency requirements and research consumables. Medical benefits or insurance are provided as applicable to PhD scholars at IIT Madras. Fellows may also be permitted to attend national or international conferences, subject to availability of funds.

IPDFs may also be utilised as guest faculty by the department, where appropriate, and can receive additional compensation under the applicable guest-faculty rules.

FELLOWSHIP TENURE

The minimum tenure of the fellowship is two years. The appointment is initially made for one year and can be extended for up to two additional years, depending on the fellow's progress and recommendations of the Performance Assessment Committee (PAC).

The second-year renewal has a specific research requirement: the fellow must have submitted at least one manuscript based on work carried out at IIT Madras during the first year.

The fellow's performance is reviewed annually by the PAC, which considers the research progress and supporting publications, manuscripts, preprints or research reports.

RESEARCH INDEPENDENCE AND OTHER BENEFITS

The fellowship is structured to give researchers a degree of independence in their work. IIT Madras states that the IPDF will work "with" the mentor rather than "under" the mentor, and fellows can have the independence to change the course of their research.

IPDFs will also be encouraged to develop funding proposals and can serve as co-guides for B.Tech, Dual Degree, M.Sc., M.A. and M.Tech projects along with their mentor.

Fellows are entitled to leave with fellowship for up to 30 days per year, subject to the applicable rules. Women IPDFs are also eligible for maternity leave subject to the conditions specified by the institute.

HOW TO APPLY

Candidates need to:

• Identify an IIT Madras faculty member whose research area matches their proposed work
• Discuss the research proposal with the faculty member and obtain their consent
• Apply through the faculty member who will serve as the mentor
• Submit the required application and supporting documents
• Ensure that the mentor submits the required signed commitment of funds.

Separate applications are required for each department a candidate applies to. Applications and supporting documents should be emailed to the respective faculty mentor, with the total document size not exceeding 25 MB.

At the time of the interview, candidates must also submit a signed printed copy of the Institute Post-Doctoral Fellowship application.

IMPORTANT POINT TO NOTE

The official guidelines also state that IPDFs are not eligible for institute accommodation or HRA. This is important for applicants to consider while evaluating the overall financial benefits of the fellowship.

The IIT Madras Institute Post-Doctoral Fellowship offers PhD holders a research-focused opportunity with a Rs 1.30 lakh monthly fellowship, Rs 2 lakh annual contingency support, and tenure of up to three years.

Selection emphasises academic merit, research originality, and departmental fit. Applicants should prepare a strong proposal, identify a suitable IIT Madras faculty mentor, and check the latest official notification for application requirements.

- Ends