The Centre for Budget and Policy Studies (CBPS) is an independent, non-partisan, non-profit research institution founded in Bengaluru in 1998. It works across public finance, governance, gender, health, education and livelihoods.
The research fellowship, launched in 2023, gives people at the very start of their research life a full year inside that environment. Fellows join ongoing CBPS projects in an area they choose and work under a mentor from the research staff.
The 2026-27 cycle was the fourth cohort and ran from 1 August 2026 to 31 July 2027. Applications for that cycle closed on 31 May 2026 and the page currently shows no open call.
Benefits & funding
- Monthly stipend of ₹25,000 for the 12 months of the fellowship.
- Desk space at the CBPS office in Bengaluru, with internet and use of the library.
- A place on live CBPS research projects, with a mentor from the research staff.
- Access to in-house talks, seminars, workshops and public events.
- No money for housing, transport or any other cost.
Eligibility
- Open to people who have recently completed a Bachelor’s degree and to students in the final year of an undergraduate programme.
- Applicants from any academic discipline and any methodological background are invited.
- No nationality, residency, age or work-experience requirement is stated.
- CBPS says it especially welcomes applicants from historically underrepresented groups, including by class, caste, gender, religion and language, and first-generation scholars. This is a stated preference, not a condition.
- The fellowship is based at the CBPS office in Bengaluru, India, and no relocation or visa support is offered.
Can you apply?
Here's who can apply
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Education required
Bachelor Enrolled · Bachelor
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Application process
- 1Choose your research area from the seven CBPS covers: education, gender, governance, health and nutrition, public finance, livelihoods, social security.
- 2Write a statement of purpose of no more than 1,500 words on why you want to do research in that area.
- 3Prepare a CV or resume as an MS Word file.
- 4Arrange two letters of reference.
- 5Email the complete set to fellows@cbps.in before 11:59 pm on the closing date; incomplete applications are not considered.
- 6Wait for the result. CBPS contacts only shortlisted applicants and announces the fellowship on the published date.
Program timeline
Application deadline, 11:59 pm
May 31, 2026
Fellowship announced
Jul 3, 2026
Fellowship starts
Aug 1, 2026
Fellowship ends
Jul 31, 2027