CNI PhD Fellowships by CISCO at IISc Bengaluru for doctoral research in the area of networked intelligence (NI)
- What are the CNI PhD Fellowships?
- Objectives of the Fellowship
- Eligibility Criteria and Financial Support
- How to Apply for the CNI PhD Fellowship
- Selection Process
- Importance of the CNI PhD Fellowships
- FAQs
What are the CNI PhD Fellowships?
The CNI PhD Fellowships are high-value research scholarships offered by the Centre for Networked Intelligence (CNI), a Cisco CSR initiative hosted at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru. The CNI Fellowships aim to support full-time PhD scholars within IISc’s Electrical, Electronics and Computer Sciences (EECS) Division and Robert Bosch Centre for Cyber-Physical Systems (RBCCPS) to conduct research
CNI fellows research into areas that push the boundaries of networked intelligence, covering themes such as smart cities, IoT-enabled cyber-physical systems, data centre networks, 5G/6G slicing, distributed AI and autonomous systems. In addition to providing students with financial security, the fellowship also ensures that students can be participants in CNI’s collaborative research environment.
Objectives of the Fellowship
- To foster excellence in doctoral research in the area of networked intelligence (NI) and its applications.
- To allow PhD students to work on technology-oriented projects that have an impact on society and industry.
- To provide additional funding for research activities, conference participation, and dissemination of knowledge.
- To encourage fellows to take an active role in CNI by attending workshops, seminars, and community events.
Eligibility Criteria & Financial Support
Eligibility
- Must be a current full-time PhD student at IISc in EECS or RBCCPS.
- Candidates must have successfully passed their qualifying exam (or must be scheduled to clear the qualifying exam before the cutoff date, which is generally 30 September in that year).
- PhD students must not already hold other named external fellowships such as TCS, Qualcomm, Visvesvaraya, or Google Fellowships.
Financial Support
- Stipend: ₹43,750/month (approximately 1.25× the regular post-comprehensive IISc fellowship stipend).
- Travel Grant: Up to ₹2,00,000, with limited allocation towards international conferences and workshops.
- Contingency Grant: Up to ₹40,000 per year to cover books, fieldwork, and other expenses associated with research.
- A further honorarium could be given to fellows who provide extra support in organising CNI events.
How to Apply for the CNI PhD Fellowship
- Eligibility: IISc PhD student in EECS/RBCCPS, post-comprehensive and not holding another named fellowship.
Compile a single PDF file with the following:
- Cover letter (indication of fit with CNI’s research areas + your contributions).
- CV and transcript from IISc.
- Research summary (two pages).
- Ask your advisor to email the PDF to contact.cni@iisc.ac.in, prior to the deadline specified in the CNI call.
Documents Required
- Cover letter consistent with CNI’s research focus
- Updated CV, which included research contributions.
- Transcripts of IISc PhD courses taken.
- Two-page synopsis of your research project.
- Letter of forwarding/endorsement from your advisor
- All documents combined into a single PDF.
Selection Process
- Preliminary evaluation of proposals from CNI’s evaluation committee.
Evaluation criteria are:
- Academic and research track record.
- Relevance and originality of the research area to networked intelligence.
- Past or potential contributions to the activities of CNI.
- Final shortlisting could include presentations or interviews with faculty in the CNI.
Importance of the Fellowship
The CNI PhD Fellowship is not just to provide additional funding support; it includes the opportunity to be part of a unique interdisciplinary ecosystem at IISc. We connect networks, computing and intelligence to enable scholars to:
- Explore emerging research challenges with societal impacts (such as smart mobility, healthcare IoT, or climate-aware cyber-physical systems).
- Leverage additional funding and research exposure globally through travel grants.
- Engage and contribute to CNI-hosted platforms that connect academic, industry and public policy stakeholders.
- Create a solid foundation for viable careers in academia, industry, R&D, or start-ups.
FAQs
Q: Who is eligible for this fellowship?
Ans: Full-time IISc PhD students enrolled in EECS or RBCCPS, who have passed their comprehensive exams and do not hold another named fellowship.
Q: What is the stipend?
Ans: ₹43,750/month, this amount is about 1.25× the normal IISc PhD stipend after passing the comprehensive exams.
Q: Does the fellowship have travel support?
Ans: Yes, fellows are entitled to up to ₹2 lakh in travel support, which includes partial support for travel to purposes abroad.
Q: Are fellows allowed to contribute to CNI events?
Ans: Yes, fellows can contribute to CNI events and will potentially receive an extra honorarium for helping with coordinated seminars and workshops.
Q: How do I apply?
Ans: Compile the necessary documents into one PDF, and have your advisor email them to contact.cni@iisc.ac.in before the published deadline.
Conclusion
The CNI PhD Fellowship is one of IISc’s most esteemed and industry-incubated doctoral scholarships. It has the support of Cisco’s corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiative, and positioned within IISc’s strong academic framework, it provides not only above-standard financing but also supports a community of intelligent network researchers engaging with real-world problems. For postgraduate students at IISc who are engaged in EECS or RBCCPS, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to push the frontiers of computing and networks while making a real difference in society.
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