American Institute of Indian Studies (AIIS) Research Fellowships 2026–2027 | Funded Research Opportunities in India
The American Institute of Indian Studies (AIIS) is inviting applications for its 2026–2027 Research Fellowship Program, offering funding and institutional support to doctoral candidates, early-career scholars, and postdoctoral researchers conducting research in India. For more than six decades, AIIS has supported academic research across the humanities, social sciences, arts, languages, and related disciplines, helping scholars deepen understanding of India’s history, culture, society, and contemporary issues.
About the American Institute of Indian Studies (AIIS)
Founded in 1961, the American Institute of Indian Studies is a consortium of U.S. colleges and universities dedicated to advancing the study of India. AIIS supports research in a broad range of academic disciplines and provides fellows with administrative assistance, institutional affiliations in India, and opportunities to engage with India’s academic and research communities. The Institute maintains offices in New Delhi, Kolkata, Pune, and Gurgaon, where it supports scholars throughout their fellowship period.
Fellowship Opportunities
AIIS offers several fellowship opportunities designed for scholars at different career stages.
Junior Research Fellowships
Junior Research Fellowships support doctoral candidates enrolled at U.S. universities who need to conduct dissertation research in India.
Successful fellows receive:
- US$7,000 fellowship award
- Administrative support before, during, and after the fellowship
- Affiliation with an Indian university
- Guidance from an Indian research supervisor
- Assistance with research logistics in India
Early Career Scholar Travel Fellowships
These fellowships are intended for scholars who completed their doctoral degree within the past five years.
Recipients receive:
- US$2,500 travel support
- Funding for new research in India
- Support for article development, second-book projects, or exploratory research
- Administrative assistance throughout their research stay
Named Fellowships
AIIS also awards several named fellowships supported by donors, including:
- Asher Family Fellowship
- Joe Elder College Year in India Junior Fellowship
- Joseph W. Elder Fellowship in the Social Sciences
- Kumkum Chatterjee Memorial Fellowship in Indian History
- Ludo and Rosane Rocher Research Fellowship in Sanskrit Studies
- Daniel H.H. Ingalls Memorial Fellowship
- Metcalf Fellowship in Indian History
- Norman Cutler Fellowship for Research in South India
- Rachel F. and Scott McDermott Fellowship
- Taraknath Das Memorial Fellowship
- Thomas R. Trautmann Fellowship
- Thomas W. Simons Fellowship
- Rajendra Vora Fellowship for the Study of Society and Culture in Maharashtra
Eligible Research Fields
Applications are welcomed from scholars working across a broad range of disciplines, including:
- History
- Anthropology
- Sociology
- Political Science
- Religious Studies
- Archaeology
- Art History
- Literature
- Linguistics
- Music
- Performing Arts
- Economics
- Geography
- Environmental Studies
- Cultural Studies
- South Asian Studies
AIIS supports research that contributes to a deeper understanding of India across the humanities and social sciences.
Eligibility
Depending on the fellowship category, applicants should generally:
- Be doctoral candidates or early-career scholars.
- Be enrolled at or employed by a U.S. college or university.
- Propose a research project requiring work in India.
- Demonstrate academic excellence and research potential.
The fellowship competition is not restricted to AIIS member institutions, and non-U.S. citizens may apply if they are graduate students or full-time faculty members at colleges or universities in the United States.
Selection Process
Applications are reviewed by an independent Selection Committee composed of scholars with extensive expertise in India-related research.
The selection process generally includes:
- Review of research proposal.
- Academic qualifications.
- Research significance.
- Feasibility of the proposed project.
- Academic references.
Junior Research Fellowship applications are evaluated in multiple rounds before final selections are announced.
Benefits of an AIIS Fellowship
Successful fellows benefit from:
- Financial support for research.
- Institutional affiliation in India.
- Administrative assistance.
- Access to Indian academic networks.
- Mentorship from Indian scholars.
- Opportunities to present and publish research.
- Professional networking with leading India specialists.
Why Apply?
An AIIS Research Fellowship provides an excellent opportunity to:
- Conduct high-quality research in India.
- Build international academic collaborations.
- Access local research institutions and archives.
- Strengthen your academic profile.
- Contribute to global scholarship on India.
How to Apply
- Visit the official AIIS Research Fellowships webpage.
- Select the fellowship category that matches your career stage.
- Review the eligibility requirements carefully.
- Prepare your research proposal and supporting documents.
- Complete the online application before the published deadline.
According to the current fellowship information, the application deadline for the ongoing competition is 15 December (refer to the official website for the applicable competition year and any updates).
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Disclaimer
Vacancy Bridge shares verified international research opportunities for informational purposes only. Vacancy Bridge is not affiliated with the American Institute of Indian Studies (AIIS). Applicants should always consult the official AIIS website for the latest eligibility criteria, fellowship guidelines, deadlines, and application procedures.
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