Prof. N. S. Ramaswamy Pre-Doctoral Fellowship (NSR Pre-Doc) at IIM B
- What is the NS Ramaswamy Pre-Doctoral Fellowship?
- Objectives of the NSR Pre-Doctoral Fellowship
- Eligibility Criteria
- Benefits and Financial Support
- How to Apply
- Documents Required
- Selection Process
- Why the NSR Pre-Doctoral Fellowship Matters
- FAQs
What is the NS Ramaswamy Pre-Doctoral Fellowship?
IIM B provides the NSR Pre-Doctoral Fellowship, which is a one-year, full-time preparatory programme for candidates who intend to pursue a full-blown PhD in management or allied disciplines. Fellows will take part in coursework, research-preparation, proposal development, and access to academic research under academic mentoring.
Objectives of the NSR Pre-Doctoral Fellowship
The fellowship has the following primary objectives:
- Close the transition between postgraduate education and doctoral-level research by providing participants with methods of undertaking research on methods in academic writing and domain knowledge.
- Increase diversity among management researchers by allowing candidates from under-represented groups (female, SC/ST, NC-OBC, rural/vernacular) to participate in the fellowship.
- Facilitate the fellows in compiling a strong research proposal and skillsets to support their transition into doctoral Programme.
- Provide fellows with mentoring on a hands-on basis in an active research environment at one of India’s leading institutes.
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for the NSR Pre-Doctoral Fellowship at IIM B, candidates must have at least one of the following:
- Master’s degree (after Bachelor) in any discipline.
- Five-year integrated Master’s degree (after 10+2).
- Two-year postgraduate diploma.
- Professional qualification (e.g., CA/CS/ICWA) with the necessary Bachelor’s degree.
- Four-year / 8-semester Bachelor’s degree having the required minimum CGPA (with relaxations for SC/ST/PwD).
- Five-year integrated Bachelor’s degree with the required percentage.
- In addition to the above eligibility, the candidate should not already be enrolled in a doctoral programme, and priority will be given to applicants from target groups (i.e., SC/ST, women, people from vernacular schooling, etc.).
Benefits & Financial Support
The NSR Pre-Doctoral Fellowship includes the following benefits:
- Complete waiver of tuition/course fees for the academic year.
- A stipend paid monthly in the amount of ₹ 30,000.
- A House Rent Allowance (HRA) of ₹15,000 per month.
- A one-time contingency or equipment grant (for example, a laptop) of ~ ₹ 25,000 (based on previous years).
- Access to IIM B’s academic resources: library, labs, workshops in research methods, mentoring by faculty, and exposure through the network.
How to Apply
Individuals seeking the fellowship must engage in the formal process:
- Go to the IIM B NSR Pre-Doc official webpage / fellowship portal.
- Download and review the fellowship brochure for that specific year.
- Register and fill out the online application form before the deadline.
- Generally, the application window closes around February each year.
- Upload all required documents (see below).
- Candidates on the shortlist are interviewed (or presented with a research pitch) and final offers are made.
- Settled fellows will commence their year-long engagement (and as such typically start around May / April of the year)
Official Link : Apply
Documents Required
When applying for the NSR Pre-Doctoral Fellowship, you will generally be required to submit:
- Academic degrees and mark sheets (Bachelor’s, Master’s, integrated, etc.)
- Proof of professional qualification (if applicable: CA/CS/ICWA)
- CV or résumé.
- Statement of Purpose or summary of Research Interests.
- Category certificate (if applied under SC/ST/NC-OBC/EWS/PwD categories)
- Identity proof (Aadhaar/Passport)
- Reference or contact information of faculty/mentors.
Selection Process
The competitive selection process is designed to identify applicants who demonstrate high research potential.
- Screening: We screen applicants at this stage based on their eligibility, academic records and fit with the goals of the programme.
- Shortlisting: Those who demonstrate strong academic background are invited to participate in interviews and/or presentations.
- Final Selection: These will be made on the basis of research potential, fit with IIM B mentorship, and overall profile. The number of offers is limited and the fellowship is highly competitive.
Why the NSR Pre-Doctoral Fellowship Matters
This program is important for a number of reasons:
- It reduces the barrier to entry into PhD programs through foundational training and support.
- It improves diversity in management research by supporting under-represented groups.
- It improves success rates for doctoral applications by creating research-prepared candidates.
- It provides fellows with a preview of the academic research space, assisting in their informed decision-making about pursuing doctoral research.
FAQs
Q: How long does the fellowship last?
Ans: It will be full-time for one year (12 months).
Q: Can I apply if I am already a PhD student?
Ans: No, you cannot. You cannot be actively enrolled in a doctoral programme at the time of applying for this fellowship.
Q: Is the fellowship open for international students?
Ans: This fellowship is primarily targeted at Indian nationals or candidates of Indian-origin; however, Indian candidacy authorizes priority for those defined by the call.
Q: Just because I completed the fellowship, does that guarantee that I will be accepted into a PhD programme at IIM B or another school?
Ans: No, it does not guarantee admission. This fellowship will provide you an opportunity to help prepare you for PhD admissions, but while successfully completing the fellowship will improve your chances at any program, including IIM B, it will not guarantee admission.
Q: How competitive is this fellowship?
Ans: This fellowship is very competitive. There are few available seats and candidates are chosen based on research aptitude, academic performance and fit to the mission of IIM B.
Conclusion
The NS Ramaswamy Pre-Doctoral Fellowship at IIM B is an excellent beginning for those who aspire to be research scholars. It offers mentorship, supports finances, and engages fellows for a full year of development in research methods and academic writing- preparing those fellows who intend to pursue top doctoral programmes. For those dedicated to becoming research scholars and pursue research and academic careers, the fellowship offers fellows an impactful launch into high-impact scholarly worlds.
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