ASEAN-India Research Training Fellowship: Financial Support, Application Process

The ASEAN-India Research Training Fellowship (AI-RTF) is a fellowship scheme initiated by the Department of Science & Technology (DST), Government of India, under the ASEAN-India Science & Technology Development Fund (AISTDF). It is designed to support young researchers and scientists from ASEAN member countries—Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam—by providing them the opportunity to conduct research at Indian academic and R&D institutions.

Objectives

Promote mobility of scientists and researchers from ASEAN countries to India.
Enable Fellows to work at Indian R&D/academic institutions to upgrade their research skills and expertise.
Facilitate the exchange of information and contacts between Indian and ASEAN researchers to foster collaborative research.
Provide an opportunity for Fellows to obtain co-supervisors from India for their Ph.D. or Master’s research projects upon returning to their home countries.

Key Details

Number of Fellowships: 50 fellowships awarded per year.
Duration: Fellowship period ranges from 2 to 6 months. (No extensions or reductions are allowed after award.)
Management & Execution: The program is managed and coordinated by the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI), New Delhi.
Research Areas: The research topic must be ASEAN-centric and aligned with the ASEAN Plan of Action on Science, Technology, and Innovation (APASTI). Areas include:
• 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 multidisciplinary areas in alignment with APASTI
(Note: Humanities and behavioral sciences are excluded.)

Benefits

Financial Support:
- Full financial assistance including round-trip international airfare (lowest economy class, shortest route), visa fees, and overseas medical insurance.
- A consolidated fellowship amount of INR 60,000 per month.
- One-time grant of INR 40,000 for research contingency expenses, airport transfers, domestic travel for scientific events, and field trips within India.
- Institutional overhead charges at INR 2,500 per month.
Accommodation: The host institution will arrange appropriate accommodation for the Fellow on a payment basis.
Insurance: The cost for obtaining an overseas health insurance policy is covered and reimbursable under AISTDF.

Note:
Fellows are responsible for expenses incurred in their home country, such as obtaining a passport, visa, medical examinations, vaccinations, internal travel, and any salary or allowances from their home institution. Additionally, neither AISTDF nor the Indian host institution will cover compensation for personal loss, travel costs for dependents, or damages due to climatic or other conditions.

Eligibility

Nationality: Applicants must hold the nationality of one of the ASEAN Member Countries. Indian nationals are not eligible.
Academic Qualifications: Applicants should have at least a Master’s Degree in Natural Sciences or an equivalent degree in Technology/Engineering/Medicine or allied disciplines.
Institutional Affiliation: Applicants must be working, studying, or affiliated with a national R&D or academic institution in their home country.
Institutional Endorsement: The application must be endorsed by the Head of the applicant’s institution, confirming that leave will be sanctioned during the fellowship period and that the applicant will resume duties upon completion.
Age Limit: Applicants should be no older than 45 years as of the date of application submission.
Language: Applicants must be fluent in English.
Prior Fellowship: Applicants who have availed of any Indian Government fellowship in the last 3 years are not eligible.
Research Proposal: The proposed research work in India must be linked to or add value to ongoing research projects or schemes of the Indian host institution.
Pre-Application Contact: Applicants are strongly advised to secure a consent letter from an Indian institution or scientist where research is ongoing in their field of interest. However, prior consent does not guarantee selection.

Obligations of the Fellows

Remain in India continuously during the fellowship period and focus exclusively on the research work.
Abstain from any activities (paid or unpaid) that may conflict with their research.
Adhere to the rules and regulations of the host institution and avoid any research misconduct.
Submit a fellowship completion research report to DST/FICCI and the ASEAN Secretariat upon completion.
Note that transfer of any biological material during the fellowship is not permitted.
Fellows must respect human rights and refrain from any discriminatory or abusive behavior.

Application Process

Online Submission Only:
1. Visit www.aistic.gov.in to register on the ASEAN online portal.
2. Complete the registration and log in to fill in the application form.
3. Enter mandatory details under the “Profile Detail” section (bio-data, photo, institute address, etc.).
4. Provide research proposal details including project title, summary, keywords, objectives, expected outputs, and outcomes.
5. Verify and submit the application.
File Upload:
- Upload other relevant proposal details as a single PDF file (max 10 MB).
Note:
- Hard copies are not required.
- Applications submitted via any other channel will not be considered.

For more information, applicants can contact Ms. Sadia Khan at [email protected].

Documents Required

During Application Submission:

Curriculum Vitae (CV) of the Applicant.
CV of the Indian host.
Copy of relevant pages of a valid passport.
Copy of the endorsement letter from the applicant’s current employer (in the prescribed format).
Copy of the acceptance letter from an Indian scientist/institution for hosting the applicant (in the prescribed format).

After Fellowship Approval:

Letter of acceptance by the parent institution (in the prescribed format).
Letter of consent by the Indian host institution (in the prescribed format).
RTGS details of the Indian host institution (endorsed by the institution, in the prescribed format).
Itinerary options (tickets to be booked by the AI-RTF Secretariat, in the prescribed format).
Joining notification from the Indian host institution (in the prescribed format).

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the “ASEAN-India Research Training Fellowship” scheme?
It is a fellowship that enables young scientists and researchers from ASEAN member countries to undertake research at Indian academic and R&D institutions.
What is the objective of the scheme?
The objective is to promote researcher mobility to India, enhance research skills, and build collaborative networks between India and ASEAN countries.
Which agency implements the scheme?
The scheme is implemented by DST, with coordination by FICCI.
What are the eligibility criteria?
Applicants must be citizens of ASEAN member countries, hold at least a Master’s degree in a relevant discipline, be affiliated with an R&D/academic institution, have institutional endorsement, be below 45 years of age, and be fluent in English.
Are Indian nationals eligible?
No, the fellowship is exclusively for ASEAN member country nationals.
What research areas are covered?
The fellowship supports research in various fields of natural and engineering sciences, including agricultural, biological, chemical, computer, physical sciences, and more, aligned with the ASEAN Plan of Action on Science, Technology, and Innovation (APASTI).
What financial support is provided?
Financial assistance covers international airfare, a monthly fellowship amount (INR 60,000), a one-time research contingency grant (INR 40,000), and institutional overhead (INR 2,500 per month).
How many fellowships are awarded per year?
50 fellowships are awarded annually.
What is the duration of the fellowship?
The fellowship lasts from 2 to 6 months.
How do I apply?
Applications must be submitted online through the registration portal at www.aistic.gov.in.