IGNOU Invites Applications for PhD Research Fellowship for 2025

In a recent notification put up by the Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU), the University has invited applications for its Research Fellowship for students currently enrolled for its PhD Programme.The University has been a pioneer in distance education since 1985. Its Doctorate of Philosophy (PhD) programme has been one of popular programmes fostering research in various disciplines in both full time and part time modes at the University. Currently IGNOU offers PhD Program in more than 24 different disciplines across the country.Every session, the University offers research fellowship with financial assistance to support deserving candidates.

Now lets get into the details of the notification released by IGNOU for Research Fellowship (RF) on 26^th March 2025. The last date to apply for fellowship is 4^th April 2025.

What is IGNOU Research Fellowship?

IGNOU Research Fellowship is a program started by University aimed at providing financial assistance to students enrolled full time for PhD/ M Phil program at the University.Further, the fellowship ensures motivating students to pursue new knowledge, better research opportunities and highest academic degree who are currently not receiving any other financial support.

Fellowship Details

The Fellowship are divided in two categories:

1. Dr. BR Ambedkar Fellowship for Male Scholars
2. Savitri Bai Phule Fellowship for Female Scholars

Here are coursewise details on fellowships offered, their tenure and the financial benefits:

The Research Fellowship has a total number of 100 fellowships.

Course	Number of Fellowships	Tenure	Amount
MPhil	3	1 Year	Rs 5000 per month
PhD	30	3 Years	Rs 8000 per month

IGNOU Research Fellowship Eligibility

1. The candidate should be enrolled in full time Phd or MPhil Programme at IGNOU.
2. Applicant should not be receiving any other scholarship / fellowship of any kind at the time of applying for this RF.

How To Apply

1. Download the Application form and print the hard copy of the form.
2. Fill in all the details carefully including your personal details, educational qualifications,admission details and contact details.
3. Attach all the required documents along with your form.
4. Submit the filled hard copy of the form to the Director, Research Unit, IGNOU through your respective Research Programme Coordinators before the last date (4th April 2025).

Selection Process for IGNOU Research Fellowship

The  number of fellowships are allotted on the basis of the number of candidates admitted to a particular discipline under the PhD or MPhil programme. Hence, each discipline has different number of fellowships available. Each school or discipline will come up with a merit list for shortlisting candidates for fellowships. The shortlisted merit list will also include the reservation policy as indicated by Government of India. A selection committee will be formed to scrutinize applications based on merit.

Procedure of Release of Research Fellowship (If Selected)

If you are one of the shortlisted candidates of the IGNOU Research Fellowship, you need to make sure to submit the below to receive the fellowship in due course of time:

1. Submission of Absentee Statement along with a photocopy of attendance register.
2. Status of progress and recommendation  by your research supervisor.
3. In case of contingency claim, attach all the necessary bills/ receipt of your research work signed by your research supervisor.
4. Candidates can also apply for extension of fellowship, provided they apply for extension 3 months before the date of completion of their fellowship period.

About IGNOU PhD Programme

Other PhD / MPhil Fellowships To Apply

If you have already been enrolled to an MPhil or PhD Programme at a University in India and do not have any fellowship or financial support at hand, consider applying to the below:

UGC NET Junior Research Fellowship (JRF)	Details
Rajiv Gandhi National Fellowship (RGNF)	Details
Maulana Azad National Fellowship (MANF)	Details
CSIR UGC NET JRF	Details
ICSSR Doctoral Fellowships	Details
ICSSR Post Doctoral Fellowships	Details
Prime Minister’s Research Fellowship (PMRF)	Details