The fellowship provides comprehensive financial support to selected candidates. Fellows receive a monthly stipend to cover living expenses, food, and health insurance during their stay in India. In addition, participants are offered subsidized accommodation within CSIR institutions, making the program highly accessible. The fellowship can last up to four years for full-time PhD candidates, while sandwich fellows may spend a shorter period conducting research in India. This support enables scholars to focus fully on their research without financial stress while benefiting from high-quality scientific facilities and mentorship. 

Applicants must be nationals of developing countries (excluding India), meaning candidates from Africa, including Uganda, are eligible to apply. Candidates should not hold any visa for temporary or permanent residency in India or any developed country. Applicants must be aged 35 years or younger by the end of the application year. They are required to hold at least a Master’s degree in a science or technology-related field and must be actively employed in their home country with a research assignment.

For those applying under the sandwich option, applicants must already be registered for a PhD in their home country and provide official proof along with a no-objection certificate from their university. For full-time fellowships, applicants must be willing to enroll in a PhD program in India. In all cases, candidates must secure an acceptance letter from a CSIR laboratory or institute before or during the application process. Additionally, applicants must demonstrate proficiency in English if it was not their language of instruction and show commitment to return to their home country after completing the fellowship. 

The TWAS-CSIR Postgraduate Fellowship Programme 2026 is open to applicants from developing countries only.

This includes:
All African countries (e.g., Uganda, Kenya, Nigeria, Ghana, South Africa, etc.)
Countries in Asia, Latin America, and the Caribbean that are classified as developing nations

Click the official link below to apply for this opportunity