Applications Now Open for 2026 ACM India Anveshan Setu Fellowship, The ACM India Anveshan Setu Fellowship is an initiative that helps PhD students in Computer Science (CS) and Information Technology (IT) across India explore new research opportunities and learn from experienced researchers beyond their own institutions. The fellowship aims to broaden students’ academic perspectives, strengthen their research skills, and connect them with leading research practices. It also builds on the support offered through the ACM India PhD Clinic by providing students with additional mentorship and opportunities to grow as researchers.
If you’re interested in this prestigious fellowship program, we encourage you to read the article carefully and follow the application guidelines closely. Make sure to review all eligibility criteria and submit your application within the specified timeline.
Last Date of Application: 31st October 2026
Applications Now Open for 2026 ACM India Anveshan Setu Fellowship
Objectives of the Fellowship
The ACM India Anveshan Setu Fellowship aims to help PhD students in Computer Science (CS) and Information Technology (IT) gain valuable research experience beyond their own institutions. Its key objectives are:
- To give PhD students an opportunity to learn about established research methods, practices, and approaches by working with researchers at other institutions.
- To provide more focused and in-depth mentorship that builds on the guidance offered through the ACM India PhD Clinic.
Applications Now Open for 2026 ACM India Anveshan Setu Fellowship
Eligibility for Students and Mentors
For Students:
- The fellowship is open to full-time and part-time students enrolled or registered in a CS or IT PhD program at an institution in India.
For Mentors:
- Mentors must be faculty members in India with a strong research background and a willingness to host and guide a visiting PhD student for four weeks.
- It is preferable for the student and mentor to have interacted previously through academic platforms or initiatives such as the ACM India PhD Clinic.
- A mentor-mentee match will be confirmed only when both the student and the mentor agree to it.
Key Features of the Fellowship
- Duration: Students can undertake a research visit lasting either four or eight weeks.
- Multiple opportunities: Based on their performance, students may be allowed to visit the same or different mentors up to three times over a period of three years during their PhD journey.
- Research exposure: The visit is designed to help students better understand research methods and practices in their chosen field, develop a deeper interest in exploring research topics, and build connections with other researchers.
- Mentor matching: ACM India will facilitate the matching process based on the interests of students and mentors. The mentor’s explicit approval will be obtained before a student is assigned.
- Shared expectations: Both mentors and students are expected to actively participate in the program to ensure that the visit offers meaningful learning, guidance, and encouragement for the student’s research journey.
Expectations from Mentors
Mentors play an important role in helping visiting students make the most of their research experience. They are expected to:
- Arrange basic facilities: Help provide a workspace, access to the institute or laboratory, internet facilities, and library resources for reading and research.
- Support accommodation: Help students access hostel or guest house accommodation and mess or canteen facilities. ACM India provides financial assistance to support the visit.
- Include students in research activities: Allow visiting students to participate in research group meetings, presentations, discussions, and other relevant academic activities.
- Provide regular guidance: Spend at least one to two hours each week discussing the student’s work, offering feedback, and helping them make progress with their research.
- Encourage peer learning: Arrange opportunities for members of the research group to share their experiences, explain their work, and discuss useful research practices and common challenges.
- Coordinate with the student’s advisor: Arrange at least one joint video or teleconference with the student’s home-institution advisor, preferably during the first week, to align expectations and discuss the student’s progress.
- Issue a completion letter: Provide the student with a completion letter on the host institution’s official letterhead after the visit.
- Share feedback: Submit feedback to ACM India about the experience, including what worked well and what could be improved.
Expectations from Mentees
Students selected for the fellowship are expected to take an active role throughout their research visit. Their responsibilities include:
- Inform their PhD advisor: Discuss the proposed visit with their advisor and follow the requirements of both their advisor and home institution.
- Submit a No-Objection Certificate (NOC): Obtain and submit an NOC from their advisor using the prescribed format.
- Commit to the visit: Since the fellowship involves a full-time research experience, students must spend at least 40 hours per week engaging with the mentor and research group to learn about research methods and best practices.
- Participate in academic activities: Attend research group meetings, presentations, discussions, and other relevant activities as a visiting student.
- Stay connected with their home advisor: Keep their advisor informed about their activities and progress at the host institution, preferably through weekly communication.
- Submit a visit report: Prepare and submit a report on the outcomes and learning from the visit using the format provided by ACM India.
- Provide feedback: Share their experience with ACM India, highlighting what worked well and what could be improved.
- Participate in ACM India events: Where possible, students may be invited to present their research and share their experiences from the fellowship.
Tentative Timeline
The following dates outline the planned schedule for the ACM India Anveshan Setu Fellowship 2026–27.
| Activity | Tentative Date |
| Applications open | 21 September 2026 |
| Last date to apply | 23 October 2026 |
| Application review and interaction between prospective students and mentors | By 8 November 2026 |
| Announcement of selected fellows | 9 November 2026 |
| Student visits to mentor institutions | November 2026 – March 2027 |
Other Important Guidelines
- Intellectual property: ACM India will not claim ownership or any stake in intellectual property created through the student’s research visit or related collaboration at the host institution.
- Publication of research: Mentors and students are encouraged to make the findings from their collaboration publicly available through research publications or other appropriate channels.
- Extension beyond eight weeks: A visit may be extended beyond eight weeks if the mentor and student agree, the student’s advisor and home institution approve, and the mentor and student mutually agree on how to cover the additional expenses. ACM India’s total financial support will remain capped at ₹60,000.
- Number of fellows: ACM India plans to support up to 50 students during the 2026–27 fellowship cycle.
Financial Assistance
ACM India provides financial support to help students manage the costs associated with their research visits.
- Monthly grant: ₹30,000 per month.
- Four-week visit: The full ₹30,000 grant will be paid at the end of the visit.
- Eight-week visit: ₹30,000 will be paid at the end of the first month, with the remaining ₹30,000 paid after the visit is completed.
- Tax deduction (TDS): For students undertaking an eight-week visit, TDS will be deducted at 10% if they provide a valid PAN. If a student does not have a PAN card, the deduction will be 20%.
The maximum financial support from ACM India is ₹60,000 per visit, including cases where a visit is extended beyond eight weeks.
Key Terms and Definitions
- Mentor/Faculty: A faculty member at the host institution who is assigned to guide and support the visiting student.
- Candidate/Student/Mentee: A PhD student from another institution who receives the Anveshan Setu Fellowship to conduct research under the guidance of a mentor at the host institution.
- Grant: The financial assistance provided by ACM India to the host institution to support the student’s visit and research project.
- Research Topic: A brief description, usually two to three lines, of the research area or problem that the mentor and student mutually agree to explore during the fellowship.
Through the Anveshan Setu Fellowship, ACM India aims to give PhD students an opportunity to step beyond their usual academic environment, learn from experienced researchers, and develop the confidence and skills needed to pursue meaningful research.
Learn more about the Fellowship Program
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- Who can apply for the ACM India Anveshan Setu Fellowship 2026–27?
The fellowship is open to full-time and part-time PhD students enrolled or registered in Computer Science (CS) or Information Technology (IT) programs at institutions in India. Applicants should be interested in gaining research experience and learning from faculty members at other institutions.
- How long does the Anveshan Setu Fellowship last?
Students can choose a research visit of either four or eight weeks. Depending on their performance, they may also get the opportunity to visit the same or a different mentor up to three times over a period of three years during their PhD journey.
- What financial assistance is provided under the fellowship?
ACM India provides financial assistance of ₹30,000 per month to support the student’s research visit. Students undertaking a four-week visit receive ₹30,000 at the end of the visit, while those completing an eight-week visit receive the grant in two instalments, subject to applicable tax deductions.
- What are the main responsibilities of students selected for the fellowship?
Selected students must obtain a No-Objection Certificate (NOC) from their PhD advisor, commit at least 40 hours per week to research-related activities during the visit, participate in the mentor’s research group activities, and stay in regular contact with their home advisor. They must also submit a report on their visit and share feedback with ACM India.
- What is the application timeline for the ACM India Anveshan Setu Fellowship 2026–27?
Applications open on 21 September 2026, and the last date to apply is 23 October 2026. The selected fellows are scheduled to be announced on 9 November 2026, with research visits taking place between November 2026 and March 2027.
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