Complete Details on Fellowship for Academic and Research Excellence (FARE-2025) at IIT Kanpur – Eligibility, Objectives and Financial Aid
FARE (Fellowship for Academic and Research Excellence) is a flagship program established at IIT Kanpur to recognize and reward exceptional PhD students who demonstrated excellence in their academic and research performance. The fellowship offers a range of monetary and academic recognition in order to provide worthy scholars to pursue their PhD research with energy, excitement and certainty.
- Objectives of FARE at IIT Kanpur
- Eligibility Criteria and Financial Support
- How to Apply for the FARE at IIT Kanpur
- Selection Process
- Importance of FARE at IIT Kanpur
- FAQs
Objectives of FARE at IIT Kanpur
The key objectives of the Fellowship for Academic and Research Excellence at IIT Kanpur are the following:
- To incentivize timely completion of PhD studies by providing incentives to scholars who have demonstrated commitment to their research as evidenced by consistent progress through their PhD program.
- To acknowledge and support meritocracy in research among scholars who have produced high-quality published research and/or contributed to significant scientific advances.
- To provide an equitable source of financial support that complements existing internal or external fellowships.
- To engage scholars and promote research productivity, innovation and national- or globally- relevant research to help build a strong research environment.
- To contribute to the research excellence of IIT Kanpur by building a culture of engagement, productivity, and academic leadership amongst scholars.
Eligibility and Financial Support
To make certain that the FARE Fellowship recognizes truly outstanding research scholars, IIT Kanpur has developed a specific eligibility criteria. The following eligibility criteria are established in the most recent 2025 Office of the Dean, Academic Affairs (DOAA), office circular and are applicable to any candidate interested in applying for FARE:
Enrollment Status:
- The applicant must be a full-time, enrolled PhD student at IIT Kanpur.
Thesis Submission Timeline:
- The student must have submitted their PhD thesis within 5 years and 6 months of their first registration into the PhD program.
- This timeline does not include a full semester of medical leave that has been formally authorized.
Application Timeline:
- Interested candidates must submit their FARE application no later than three months after submitting their PhD thesis.
Publication Requirement:
- The applicant must have submitted at least one research paper (or equivalent work) based on their PhD research, as the first author, at an acceptable journal or conference proceeding during their application to FARE. The journal or conference proceeding must be a reputable Q1 or Q2 level journal or conference.
Publication Verification:
- Each journal or conference publication noted in the FARE application must have an online reference such as DOI or a valid weblink source that can be verified.
Patent-Based Eligibility (if applicable):
- To satisfy this criterion the patent(s) must need to be directly linked to the applicant’s PhD thesis work.
- Along with the FARE application the applicant must submit a certificate of grant for the patent.
- The applicant must have contributed at least 25% to the patent.
Eligibility Batches:
- All students registered from Y18 batches onwards are eligible to apply for the FARE Fellowship.
- Students from Y18 or Y19 batches, who have submitted their thesis, but not defended it, remain eligible subject to any other eligibility criteria.
One-time Relaxation Provision:
- Y18 batch: If the thesis is submitted within 6 years and 6 months from the date of initial registration.
- Y19 batch: If the thesis is submitted within 6 years from the date of initial registration.
- Y20 (1st Semester – July batch): If the thesis is submitted within 5 years and 6 months from date of initial registration.
Financial Support and Benefits
- The fellowship amount is ₹ 80,000 per month (not ₹ 15,000 extra) for a duration of up to 1 year.
- House Rent Allowance (HRA) will be paid at prevailing rates if the fellow is not utilizing on-campus accommodation.
- Contingency Grant: ₹ 1,50,000 per year, prorated if the tenure is shorter.
Leave rules are elaborated as such:
- Academic leave, personal leave, casual leave, medical leave, maternity leave—all specified.
- Accommodation: Fellows will not be offered accommodation on campus, and fellows will have to vacate any institute accommodation prior to joining FARE.
- Teaching / departmental duties: Fellows can be deployed in tutorials/labs/tutorship for up to 8 hours/week.
- No-Dues / Termination rules: If a fellow quits, a 1-month notice will have to be given and part of the fellowship will be kept until No-Dues has been cleared.
How to Apply for the FARE at IIT Kanpur
The FARE application process is uncomplicated but highly competitive. The following are the main steps to apply:
- At the time of thesis submission, students must submit the required application form, which must be endorsed by their Thesis Supervisor and HOD. The completed form must be submitted to the Office of the Dean, Academic Affairs (DOAA).
- After the application verification completes, DOAA shall forward a confirmation email to selected students.
- An offer letter shall strengthen the award and require the fellow to submit a joining report within 15 days of receiving the FARE ID. If not accepting within 3 days or reporting that the fellow has joined within 15 days, the offer shall be cancelled.
- The fellow must obtain only office order leave, until defense, to commence and submit the office order as part of their joining report.
Official Link & Guideline: How to Apply for FARE – IIT Kanpur
Documents Required
During the application submission period, it is expected that candidates submit the following items:
- The FARE application form filled out properly.
- Current Curriculum Vitae (CV) with record of academic work and research summary.
- Progress report summarizing accomplishments and research milestones.
- Publications or conference presentations (where applicable).
- Recommendation letter from the PhD supervisor.
- Statement of Purpose (SOP) describing how the Fellowship will help achieve research goals.
Policies & Procedures:
- Once the offer is made, fellows may not defer the fellowship.
- Although the mentor continues to serve as thesis supervisor, the fellow can work with other faculty.
- FARE cannot extend the fellowship or convert it into a regular PDF.
- Failure to appear for more than 15 days, or other irregularities could mean termination.
Selection Process
The FARE selection process aims to ensure the most deserving and high-achieving candidates have their work recognized:
- Departmental Screening: Departments consider applications based on eligibility, quality of research, and academic success.
- Institute Evaluation: The institute level committee reviews the candidates selected by departments and considers originality of research, possible impact, and the scholar’s record.
- Final Approval: The Dean of Academic Affairs approves the final list of awardees based on committee recommendations.
Importance of FARE at IIT Kanpur
The FARE fellowship is essential for fostering excellence among graduate students:
- Rewards high-achieving researchers and encourages their morale through recognition and monetary benefits.
- Fosters research productivity by allowing students the opportunity to focus on substantive work, unconstrained by any financial incentives.
- Motivates completion of their PhD in a timely manner and publication of their work in reputable journals.
- Affords a designation of merit while elevating fellows’ credentials for subsequent academic or postdoctoral or research positions.
- Enhances IIT Kanpur’s academic reputation by supporting a well-developed, innovation-driven, research-based culture.
FAQs
Q1. Who is eligible to apply for FARE at IIT Kanpur?
Ans. Only IIT Kanpur PhD students who are full-time and have demonstrated good academic and research performances will be eligible.
Q2. Can students who have external fellowships apply?
Ans. No. The fellowship is designed for those receiving the support under the assistantship of the institute, not for students with higher value fellowships such as PMRF.
Q3. How long can a student be given a fellowship?
Ans. FARE will be allotted for up to 12 months, with potential extensions based on satisfactory performance.
Q4. How much monetary aid is available?
Ans. ₹15,000 a month as additional support, along with support for travel, or any data gathering or project related expenses.
Q5. Is there a limitation on how many fellowships are awarded?
Ans. Yes, the total number of FARE fellowships awarded in a particular year is at the discretion of funding and the recommendation of the committee.
Conclusion
The Fellowship for Academic and Research Excellence (FARE) program at IIT Kanpur is a testament to the institute’s commitment to support research excellence and reward outstanding performance. It offers recognition, encouragement, and a purpose beyond financial support for deserving PhD scholars. FARE advances the institute’s commitment to produce exceptional researchers – people who think creatively and innovate, and contribute to the education of scientific and academic leaders for the world stage.
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