Dr Kasturirangan 2027 Fellowship: nominations open for PhD, postdoctoral research grants

The Dr Kasturirangan Trust, a non-profit public charitable trust, today announced the Dr Kasturirangan 2027 Fellowship, its first initiative to support young PhD and postdoctoral researchers. Nominations for the fellowship opened on October 27, 2026, and will close on December 31, 2026.

The fellowship, launched in Bengaluru, aims to support six researchers in the fields of space and technology, education, sustainability, and public policy. Each selected fellow will receive a one-time grant of ₹4 lakh towards research costs, along with mentorship and opportunities to present their work.

Fellowship Details and Eligibility

The Dr Kasturirangan 2027 Fellowship is designed to carry forward the legacy of Dr. Krishnaswamy Kasturirangan, who led India’s space programme as Chairman of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) from 1994 to 2003 and was awarded the Padma Vibhushan in 2000. The Trust, launched on October 25, 2026, focuses its work on four key areas: space and technology, education, sustainability, and public policy.

The fellowship is open to candidates who submitted their PhD thesis between January 1, 2025, and December 31, 2026. For this inaugural year, candidates must be nominated by a group of eminent individuals who knew Dr. Kasturirangan or by leading universities. An open call for applications is planned for subsequent years.

Support and Community for Fellows

Beyond the financial grant, selected fellows will benefit from a structured support system. This includes mentorship from experts in their respective fields and participation in two workshops annually, providing platforms to present their ongoing research and receive feedback. Fellows will also gain a place in a peer community, fostering collaboration and intellectual exchange.

Dr. Sanjay Rangan, Trustee of the Dr Kasturirangan Trust, stated, “Dr. Kasturirangan believed in the power of knowledge and research to address the challenges facing our country. Through this Trust, we hope to carry forward his vision by bringing people and institutions together to find solutions that benefit society and support future leaders.”

Key Dates for the Dr Kasturirangan 2027 Fellowship

Nominations for the Dr Kasturirangan 2027 Fellowship opened on October 27, 2026, and will close on December 31, 2026. This initial nomination period allows for submissions from eligible candidates as part of the Trust’s first initiative to support young PhD and postdoctoral researchers. The Dr Kasturirangan Trust, a non-profit public charitable trust, launched in Bengaluru on October 25, 2026, with the aim of carrying forward the legacy of Dr. Krishnaswamy Kasturirangan.

Following the close of nominations, the Dr Kasturirangan Trust plans to announce the for starters cohort of six fellows on April 25, 2027. These selected researchers will receive a one-time grant of ₹4 lakh towards research costs, along with mentorship and opportunities to present their task at two annual workshops. The fellowship focuses on supporting research in space and technology, education, sustainability, and public policy.

Written by Nishit Kumar

Nishit Kumar is a senior EdTech industry leader with over a decade of experience in building and scaling education platforms, shaping their product, content, and growth strategy. At FindMyCollege, Nishit oversees content and editorial strategy, guiding topic selection and content frameworks to ensure accuracy, relevance, and student-first value across the website.

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