Position Description

The Lakshmi Mittal and Family South Asia Institute-Harvard Global Research Support Centre India ('the Mittal Institute India office') is pleased to offer the Mittal Institute India Fellowship (MIIF) to host two postdoctoral scholars in India. As fellows, scholars will have the opportunity to avail Harvard's vast resources to contribute to self-driven, independent research.

Applicants from any discipline are encouraged to apply, provided their studies advance, facilitate, and promote programs in and for the public benefit of India. The fellowship is open to a diverse range of fields, including but not limited to, philosophy, law, religion, language, literature, history, cultural studies, visual arts, economics, linguistics, anthropology, public health, climate, education, gender studies, political science, sociology, and human geography.

• The India Fellowship is located within the Mittal Institute India office at New Delhi and cannot be combined with any other fellowship during the tenure.
• Fellows will be remotely mentored by a Harvard faculty member in their area of research, and the research produced will be widely disseminated for public benefit in India. Fellows are expected to reside in New Delhi (India) and its vicinity for the fellowship duration of one year to actively participate in the events and intellectual life of the Mittal Institute India office. Participation may include, but is not limited to, reviewing grants, hosting seminars, and engaging with Harvard faculty and affiliates in India.
• The Fellowship begins in January 2027 and offers a gross stipend of INR 1,00,000 per month. This amount is to cover living costs, medical allowances, books, and research materials during the fellowship period. For candidates outside of New Delhi, economy travel expenses for round-trip transportation from the fellow's hometown to New Delhi will also be provided. All reimbursements and stipends are limited to the dates of the fellowship appointment.
• Fellows can work on research topics focused on India or can also choose cross-country research topics interconnected with India. The topics shall advance critical scholarship in India.

Note: The commencement of the fellowship is subject to the availability of funds.

Basic Qualifications

The Fellowship is meant for recent postdoctoral scholars who have completed their Ph.D. studies in the last five years. For this year's application cycle, applicants must have obtained their Ph.D. between March 1, 2021, and March 31, 2026. Those who have not had opportunities in the past to access Harvard's resources and who have primarily been educated at institutions in India, will be given priority.

Applications will only be collected via ARIeS and should contain:

• A two-to-three-page, double-spaced research plan. Please use 1" margins and Times Roman 12 pt. font. The research plan must include: Project title and a research abstract, Research question(s), Methodology, and Proposed outcome
• An updated and current curriculum vitae, which lists your academic degrees (including disciplines and the dates the degrees were received), your publications and research presentations, and any previous grants and/or fellowships.
• A writing sample that is no more than ten pages, double-spaced. This could be a chapter of your dissertation or thesis. You may also submit any academic paper, news article, policy brief, or memo that demonstrates your writing skills.
• A scan of your Ph.D. degree (transcripts and proof of prior degrees are not required). If you don't yet have the final Ph.D. degree certificate, you can submit a Provisional Certificate instead, provided it is within the eligibility criteria.
• Two letters of recommendation uploaded directly to ARIeS. At least one of the letters should come from an academic source who is familiar with your scholarly work. Professional references are also acceptable.
• Recommendation letters must meet the following criteria to be considered: Each letter should be signed and dated by the referee, Letters should only be submitted in PDF format, Letters should be preferably printed on the referee's official letterhead, If the letter is submitted electronically, it must be emailed directly by the referee using their official institutional email address. Letters forwarded by applicants will not be accepted.