The ASEAN-India Research Training Fellowship (AIRTF) Scheme represents a significant initiative in the domain of scientific collaboration and innovation between India and the ASEAN member countries. This fellowship scheme, established under the auspices of the ASEAN India S&T Development Fund (AISTDF), aims to foster research collaboration by facilitating the mobility of young researchers from ASEAN nations to India.

Scheme Highlights of ASEAN-India Research Training Fellowship (AI-RTF)

Objectives

• Mobility Promotion: Enhances the mobility of scientists and researchers from ASEAN countries to India.

• Research Collaboration: Facilitates the exchange of information and networking for research collaborations.

• Co-Supervision Opportunity: Fellowship awardees may get Indian co-supervisors for their research projects.

Fellowships

• Number: 50 fellowships awarded annually.

• Duration: 2 to 6 months (non-extendable).

Management

• Coordination: Managed by the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI), New Delhi.

Research Areas

• 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 & Commercialisation

• Other multidisciplinary areas in alignment with APASTI.

Eligibility and Requirements

• Nationality: Must be a national of an ASEAN Member State.

• Education: At least a Master's Degree in Natural Sciences, Technology, Engineering, Medicine, or allied disciplines.

• Affiliation: Should be working/studying at an R&D or academic institution in the home country.

• Age Limit: Under 45 years at the time of application.

• Language: Proficiency in English.

• Exclusions: Indian nationals and those who have availed of any fellowship from the Government of India in the last 3 years are not eligible.

• Research Alignment: Proposed research must be linked to ongoing projects at the Indian host institute.

Financial Support

• Travel: Round trip international airfare, visa fees, and medical insurance.

• Fellowship Amount: INR 60,000 per month.

• Research Grant: One-time grant of INR 40,000 for research expenses.

• Institutional Overhead: INR 2,500 per month.

Application Process

• Online Submission: Applications to be submitted online at www.aistic.gov.in.

• Required Documents: CVs, passport copy, endorsement letter from employer, acceptance letter from Indian host institution.

Obligations of Fellows

• Regulations Compliance: Fellows must adhere to host institution rules and avoid misconduct.

• Continuous Stay: Must stay in India for the entire fellowship period and focus on research.

• Completion Report: Submit a research report upon fellowship completion.

• Material Transfer: Biological material transfer is not allowed during the fellowship.

For more information, contact Mr. Vivek Kumar (airtfscholars@ficci.com, vishal.khanna@ficci.com).