1. The Graduate Research Fellowships are designed for recent graduates and young scholars with up to three years of post-qualification experience who wish to strengthen their research skills and deepen their understanding of law, the social sciences, and/or public policy.

2. The Fellows will have the opportunity to work closely with faculty and senior research fellows in supporting a range of intellectual and research activities across the University. These may include: drafting briefs, concept notes, and/or background papers; conducting desk research and literature reviews; assisting with research workshops, conferences and seminars; and contributing to developing research proposals, grant applications, as well as grant management. Wherever possible, Fellows will be assigned to projects that align with their research interests. In addition to contributing to the University’s research initiatives, the Fellows will receive mentorship and guidance in pursuing their own research.

3. Up to ten (10) Fellows will be supported at any given point in time each AY.

4. The minimum duration of the fellowship is 6 months, and the maximum duration is 2 years.

5. The fellowship is open to candidates with a graduate degree in law or a postgraduate degree in social sciences, public policy, and/or allied disciplines. Post-qualification work experience is not mandatory. Candidates currently enrolled in a degree program (graduate or postgraduate) are eligible to apply, contingent on them receiving their degrees by the time they join the University. Candidates pursuing their doctoral degree are not eligible.

6. Fellows will be responsible for:
a) Supporting research centres, chairs, and/or projects, as required. This may include:
-conducting desk research and literature reviews;
-assisting with developing research and grant proposals;
-assisting with organising workshops, conferences and seminars; and
-writing commentaries, briefs and articles on the respective subject areas under the supervision of the faculty in-charge.

b) Publishing at least one written solo piece (policy brief; blog; research article) on a topic of their choice during the fellowship or each year of the fellowship.

7. Fellows must show satisfactory progress to be eligible for the second year of the fellowship, if applicable.

8. All Fellows will get an opportunity to be part of NLSIU’s vibrant intellectual environment, participate in its workshops and seminars, avail of its extensive library and digital resources, and publish widely, including NLS platforms (NLSIU blogs, peer-reviewed journals, and website).

9. All positions will be based out of the NLSIU campus in Bangalore.

10. The Fellows will be guided by faculty members to ensure a meaningful and rewarding experience.

1. The University offers up to eight (8) Doctoral Fellowships each academic year.

2. Candidates enrolled as full-time PhD scholars at NLSIU are eligible for Doctoral Fellowships. For more information, refer to the NLSIU Ph.D Degree Programme Regulations 2023 (as amended in 2025).

3. The Doctoral Fellowship supports candidates for a period of 3 years, subject to meeting the requirements of submissions and presentations as per the University’s PhD Regulations.

4. Doctoral Fellows will be selected by a selection committee constituted by the University.

5. Doctoral Fellows are required to work for approximately 10 hours every week on University roles related to their doctoral dissertation and towards their development as academic professionals. This may include working on research projects of the University, and tasks assigned in online and offline programmes offered by the University.

6. On satisfactory progress in their doctoral research and completion of institutional responsibilities, there will be an annual increase of 10% in the fellowship amount. Continuation of the doctoral fellowship at the end of each academic year shall be contingent on progress in doctoral research and completion of institutional responsibilities. The fellowship may be discontinued if research undertaken by the Fellow is found unsatisfactory. For more details, see https://www.nls.ac.in/programme/ph-d-law/#doctoral-fellowship.

1. The University offers up to five (5) Postdoctoral Fellowships each academic year. The Fellowship will support candidates for up to 2 years to develop their scholarly research towards publication.

2. Applicants who have been awarded a PhD degree in law, social sciences, public policy, or allied disciplines in the past 3 years (from the date of notification inviting applications) as well as those who have submitted their PhD thesis (by the date of notification of the advertisement) are eligible to apply. However, candidates who are yet to receive their degree will be required to submit a provisional certificate affirming the date of viva voce and the final outcome of the thesis before joining the postdoctoral fellowship.

3. Candidates who have previously held any postdoctoral position at any university or research institution are not eligible to apply.

4. The Fellows will be expected to:
a) Submit a draft of a book manuscript to a publisher;
b) Publish 1 peer-reviewed article per year;
c) Publish at least 2 short-form pieces each year for the NLS Scholarship Repository;
d) Teach 1 elective course per academic year in their field of research (subject to the approval of the Academic Review Committee).

5. Postdoctoral Fellows are encouraged to collaborate with faculty members to deliver guest lectures for any of the existing courses (core or elective) and undertake collaborative research projects.

6. Fellows need to show satisfactory progress to be eligible for the second year of the Fellowship. They will secure a 10% increase in the fellowship amount subject to satisfactory performance.

1. The University offers five (5) University Research Fellowships at any given point in time. The Fellowship is for a minimum duration of 3 months and may extend to 2 years.

2. Appointments to the University Research Fellowships are made by invitation as well as by an open application process.

3. The University Research Fellowship engages leading experts in their area of specialisation with a significant publication record. The Fellowship provides an opportunity for scholars to further expand their research, produce critical scholarship, foster collaborations, and contribute to designing/strengthening research programmes at NLSIU.

4. The University Research Fellows must have a recognised PhD degree, at least 10 years of teaching, and a demonstrable record of publications, including solo-authored books and articles in well-recognized/top-ranking academic journals.

5. University Research Fellows will be expected to:
a) Publish 1 peer-reviewed journal article a year (for fellowships that are more than a year);
b) Publish 1–6 (depending on the duration of the fellowship) short-form pieces, such as blog articles, opinion pieces, commentaries and policy briefs for the NLS Scholarship Repository;
c) Teach 1 elective course in their field of research each academic year (subject to the approval of the Academic Review Committee);
d) Scholars are expected to:
-Contribute to designing/conducting research workshops at NLSIU;
-Strengthen various research activities on campus through feedback, evaluation, and participating in strategy meetings;
-Coordinate building relationships with scholars from their home institution and NLSIU;
-Design/promote exchange programmes for faculty and students with their home institutions.

6. Fellows are ordinarily expected to be on campus during their fellowship period. The University may, on a case-to-case basis, offer flexibility for presence on campus.

7. The University encourages collaborations (teaching and research) between the University Research Fellows and faculty at NLSIU.

1. The objective of the Distinguished University Fellowships programme is to invite eminent scholars and distinguished professionals in law, social sciences, public policy, and allied disciplines to spend time at the University working on research and writing projects. Distinguished University Fellows utilise their time to develop and work on scholarly projects and provide mentorship and professional connections to NLSIU faculty members, researchers and students. The Fellows are expected to present their work at university faculty seminars and public forums.

2. Distinguished University Fellow appointments are made by invitation only. The Fellowship is for a minimum duration of 1 month and may extend to 2 years.