Science Academies announce 200 fellowships under FAST-SF 2027

The three national Science Academies have announced the Focus Area Science Technology Summer Fellowship (FAST-SF) 2027, with around 200 fellowships to be offered to eligible students and teachers from specified states and Union Territories.

The programme is being offered by the Indian Academy of Sciences, Bengaluru; Indian National Science Academy, New Delhi; and The National Academy of Sciences, India, Prayagraj.

Unlike the academies' regular Summer Research Fellowship Programme, the 2027 FAST-SF has a specific regional focus. The programme aims to expand access to science and technology opportunities in regions identified by the academies for the coming fellowship cycle.

For 2027, the fellowship is open to students and teachers studying or working in the North-Eastern states, Andaman, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, Lakshadweep, Madhya Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh and Uttarakhand.

The selected fellows will work with scientists associated with the three academies, and the research placement can be located anywhere in the country. Around 200 fellowships are planned for the 2027 programme.

Applications have to be submitted online by November 30, 2026.

Who is eligible for FAST-SF 2027

The fellowship is open to students enrolled in specified years of undergraduate, postgraduate, integrated and dual-degree programmes.

Eligible courses include BS and BSc in the second year, BSc Research in the third year, BStat and BMath in the second year, and BPharm in the third or fourth year.

Students in BE, BTech and BCA can apply during their second or third year, while BArch students are eligible in their second, third or fourth years.

The programme also includes students in the first year of MS, MSc, MVSc and MPharm, as well as first-year ME, MTech, MCA and MArch students.

Students enrolled in specified years of five-year integrated programmes, PharmD, dual-degree programmes, Integrated PhD and MSc Tech are also covered by the eligibility rules. PhD students cannot apply.

For students, the average marks in core subjects from Class 10 through the latest completed examination must be 65 per cent or above. Teachers are not subject to this minimum marks requirement.

Teachers applying under FAST-SF must be working in the specified states or Union Territories covered by the 2027 programme.

Two months of research with scientists

Selected candidates will spend two months working with an assigned research guide during 2027. The academies prefer that the fellowship be undertaken during the summer, although the placement can take place at another time during the calendar year.

The scientists and faculty members available to guide fellows are listed through the application system.

Candidates have to explain their research interests and what they hope to learn or achieve during the fellowship in a 150–250-word write-up. The academies advise applicants to focus on a specific area of interest rather than simply describing a broad subject.

Student applicants must also provide the contact details of a current teacher who is familiar with their academic work. The academy will approach the teacher for a recommendation.

Marksheets from Class 10 through the latest examination must be uploaded with the application. Teacher applicants can additionally provide details of their publications, if any.

Travel and living expenses

The selected fellows will receive round-trip train fare according to their entitlement and a monthly fellowship to cover living expenses at the place of their research work.

The research project may be located anywhere in India, meaning students and teachers from the specified regions can potentially undertake their fellowship outside their home state or Union Territory.

The academies expect to communicate selection information and confirmation from the research guide around March-April 2027.

How FAST-SF differs from the regular fellowship

The biggest distinction between FAST-SF and the regular SRFP is the regional eligibility requirement.

The regular Summer Research Fellowship Programme is open to eligible students and teachers studying or teaching in India, while FAST-SF 2027 is specifically restricted to applicants from the states and Union Territories identified for the 2027 focus.

The regional programme is intended to widen the spread of science and technology opportunities by connecting students and teachers from these areas with researchers associated with the three national academies.

For candidates who meet the regional requirement, FAST-SF therefore provides a route to spend two months working on a research project under an academy-associated scientist while receiving travel and living support.

FAST-SF 2027 application deadline

Candidates interested in the programme must submit their applications online through the websites of the three participating Science Academies by November 30, 2026.

Only one application will be considered per candidate. Applicants must also ensure that all required academic documents and the research-interest write-up are submitted as part of the online application.

With around 200 fellowships planned for 2027, the programme is aimed at creating additional research opportunities for students and teachers in regions covered by this year's focus area.