NAS-Pakistan Track (NASP)
NAS‑Pakistan Track
NASP seeks to develop original, dedicated, and rigorous scholarship on Pakistan among a new generation of serious Indian researchers. This fellowship is particularly relevant because familiarity is often mistaken for understanding: despite Pakistan’s centrality to India’s strategic mindset, much of the discourse is shaped by assumptions, stereotypes, and episodic crises rather than sustained scholarship.
Propose your own topic
This is a general call for research proposals. Fellows are not required to work on pre-assigned themes. You are encouraged to propose a topic within the broad domain of Pakistan studies, including (but not limited to) the following areas.
- P.01 The Pakistan military, defence policy, and strategic culture
- P.02 Pakistan as a geostrategic rentier state and the political economy of security
- P.03 Pakistan's defence industry, arms imports and exports, and military modernisation
- P.04 Identity formation, federalism, ethnic politics, and sub-national movements
- P.05 The military-jihadi complex, militancy, and violent extremism
- P.06 Pakistan's maritime strategy, sea power, and the Indian Ocean
- P.07 The judiciary, constitutional politics, and institutional evolution
- P.08 Pakistan's economy, governance, and domestic political developments
Research proposals may also explore emerging issues such as technology, climate, demographics, information ecosystems, or other themes relevant to understanding contemporary Pakistan.
As part of the fellowship, fellows can choose to enrol in any of the ECCs running in that period, and will have access to special GCPP sessions by guest lecturers on Pakistan studies.
Subject-matter specialists
How to apply
Proposal & Statement of Purpose
Submit a research proposal of 1,000–1,500 words outlining the topic, the research questions, and the approach. Proposals should clearly identify the gap in existing scholarship and explain why the topic merits sustained attention. Applicants will also submit a 500–800-word Statement of Purpose explaining their reasons for pursuing a fellowship in this domain. Only one author per proposal will be accepted.
Interviews
Submitted proposals undergo internal review, and applicants whose proposals are shortlisted will be invited to a virtual interview.
Fellow announcements
Up to 6 selected candidates per track will be invited to join the 2026–2027 NAS fellowship cohort.
Apply to NASP
Submit your proposal and Statement of Purpose for the 2026–2027 cohort.
Last date for submission of proposals: 7 September 2026.