Applications for the Third Cohort are Now Closed

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Applications for the Third Cohort are Now Closed -

Network for Advanced Study of China (NASC) Fellowship

The NASC Fellowship Overview

  • The Network for Advanced Study of China (NASC) Fellowship aims to create high-quality scholarship and knowledge of the People’s Republic of China by nurturing new generations of analysts in academia, think tanks, media, and industry.

  • The programme aims to train and nurture a cross-disciplinary community of outstanding scholars and create a body of knowledge that will inform policy, strategy, economics, technology, and society.

  • It includes a two-day conference in Bengaluru (funding for travel and accommodation inclusive). Other than that, the Fellowship is conducted virtually.

  • In addition, cash prizes will be awarded to select papers determined by the jury. The duration of the fellowship is one year.

Fellowship Process

  • Prospective fellows must fill out the form (linked below) and submit a brief research proposal demonstrating their interest and capability to complete the project.

  • The proposal (1000 words maximum) should clearly state the current gaps in research and how the author(s) would approach the issue, based on one thematic question of choosing.

  • Along with the research proposal submission, the author(s) must also send a past writing sample, either published or unpublished, on any topic, that is more than 1000 words. APPLICATIONS FOR THE THIRD COHORT ARE NOW CLOSED. TO APPLY TO THE FOURTH COHORT, PLEASE COME BACK TO THIS SPACE IN MAY-JUNE 2026.

  • Up to three authors can submit a joint proposal. Only one/ primary author may fill out the form. Multidisciplinary approaches and collaborations are encouraged. 

  • Selected applicants will be invited to join the fellowship, and will be assigned mentors and projects. The best research output will be rewarded with cash prizes and commendations.

  • Please note that we do encourage proposals on topics pertaining to the themes, even if they do not exactly pertain to the thematic questions. However, preference would be given to applications that provide a framework and approach to answering the 19 listed questions.

Dr. Alka Acharya

Professor, Jawaharlal Nehru University and Honorary Director, Institute of Chinese Studies, Delhi

Pranay Kotasthane

Deputy Director, Takshashila Institution and Chairperson, Takshashila High-Technology Geopolitics Programme

Dr. Jabin Jacob

Associate Professor, Department of International Relations and Governance Studies, Shiv Nadar University

Dr. Anton Harder

Guest Lecturer (International History), King’s College London; historian, analyst of China-India affairs and consultant

Manoj Kewalramani

Programme Head, NASC Fellowship and Chairperson, Indo-Pacific Studies Programme, Takshashila Institution

Our Mentors

Dr. Pradeep Taneja

Senior Lecturer, University of Melbourne

Katja Drinhausen

Head of Program, Politics and Society, MERICS,
Berlin, Germany

Dr. Devendra Kumar

Associate Fellow at the Centre of Excellence for Himalayan Studies, School of Humanities and Social Sciences, Shiv Nadar University

Helena Legarda

Lead Analyst, Mercator Institute for China Studies (MERICS),
Berlin, Germany

Tentative Timeline

The application window for the third NASC Fellowship Cohort is now open.

  • May 21, 2025: Call for Proposals on dedicated, thematic questions (Google form)

  • June 15, 2025: Research proposal submission deadline

  • June 15-25, 2025: Interviews with authors of shortlisted proposals

  • By Early July, 2025: Intimation regarding the selection of Fellows (Please note: we do not entertain e-mails regarding urgency of information on selection)

  • July 7, 2025: Commencement of Fellowship

  • August 31, 2025: Submission of the first draft of papers

  • September 15, 2025: First round of feedback by the NASC-Takshashila team

  • October 30, 2025: Submission of the second draft of papers

  • 21-23 November, 2025: Two-day in-person Academic Conference with presentations by fellows on their research, inclusive of feedback

  • December 5, 2025: Formal feedback on the second drafts by the mentor

  • February 15, 2026: Submission of third and final drafts of papers

  • March, 2026: Final evaluations and announcement of award winners

Reach Out

Please write to nasc@takshashila.org.in for any requests and clarifications.