Are you a young, enthusiastic scientist from a developing country who has your heart set on doing a PhD in physical sciences? The TWAS-SN Bose Postgraduate Fellowship Programme 2025 could be your ticket to the stars. This one-of-a-kind, fully funded opportunity gives researchers a chance to conduct in-depth research at the renowned S.N. Bose National Centre for Basic Sciences in Kolkata, India. In case your main focus is physics, mathematics, or chemical sciences, this fellowship is perfectly suited for the new scholars from the developing world.
Key Highlights of the TWAS-SN Bose Fellowship Programme
Eligibility Criteria
To qualify, here’s what you’ll need:
- You must be a national of a developing country (excluding India).
- Be 35 years old or younger by December 31, 2025.
- Hold a master’s degree (MSc) in physics, chemistry, biology, or mathematics.
- Have completed at least five years of combined undergraduate and postgraduate education.
- Not currently holding residency—temporary or permanent—in India or any developed nation.
- Provide proof of English proficiency if your previous education wasn’t in English.
- Secure preliminary acceptance from a department at the S.N. Bose Centre.
- Plan to return to your home country after completing the fellowship.
- Be financially responsible for any family members who accompany you.
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Fellowship Deadlines (2025)
Mark these dates on your calendar:
- Call opens: April 9, 2025
- Deadline to apply for preliminary acceptance: August 16, 2025
- Final date for SN Bose acceptance letters: August 31, 2025
- Final application submission on the TWAS portal: September 22, 2025, (by midnight CEST).
Pro tip: Don’t wait till the last minute—reach out to potential supervisors early!
Programme Structure
The fellowship supports two pathways:
1. Full-time PhD enrolment at the S.N. Bose Centre
2. Sandwich PhD programme (for those already enrolled in a PhD programme at home)
Duration: 4 years, with a potential 1-year extension.
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Fields of study include:
- Chemical Sciences
- Mathematical Sciences
- Physics
Research areas span exciting topics like quantum physics, theoretical science, and more. Want to explore faculty profiles? Check out the SN Bose Faculty Directory online.
Fellowship Benefits
Here’s what’s covered:
- Monthly stipend for food and living (non-convertible to foreign currency)
- Free housing on campus
- Access to a partial medical reimbursement scheme (within Kolkata)
- English as the teaching medium
Heads up: You’ll need to arrange full health insurance on your own, as the host doesn’t provide comprehensive coverage.
Application Process
Ready to take the leap? Follow these steps:
1. Find a potential supervisor from the SN Bose faculty directory.
2. Download and fill out the SNB Form from the official site.
3. Email the form and your CV to deanap@bose.res.in to request a Preliminary Acceptance Letter.
4. Once you’ve got that letter, submit your full application via the TWAS online portal by September 22, 2025.
Note: No acceptance letter = no application review.
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Required Documents (Available for Download):
- Online Application Tutorial (PDF)
- Sample Preliminary Acceptance Letter (PDF & DOCX)
- SNB Form (DOCX)
Contact Information
TWAS Fellowships Office
ICTP Campus, Strada Costiera 11, 34151 Trieste, Italy
Email: fellowships@twas.org
Phone: +39 040 2240687
S.N. Bose National Centre for Basic Sciences
JD Block, Sector 3, Salt Lake City, Kolkata 700106, India
Email: deanap@bose.res.in, studentsprogramme@bose.res.in
Phone: +91 33 2335 5705–8
Why Apply?
This isn’t just another ordinary scholarship. It’s your very important chance to:
- Join one of India’s top-tier research centres
- Get full financial support during your PhD
- Get experience of working with leading global scientists
- Get an international research network
- Take your career in the sciences to a new level.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Can I apply if I’m currently pursuing a PhD in my home country?
Yes. You can apply under the Sandwich PhD pathway. You’ll conduct part of your research at SN Bose while remaining enrolled in your home institution.
2. Is TOEFL or IELTS mandatory?
Not necessarily. But if your prior education was not in English, you must provide evidence of English proficiency (e.g., TOEFL, IELTS, or a letter from your institution).
3. Can I apply without first securing a preliminary acceptance letter?
No. The acceptance letter from an SN Bose faculty member is mandatory. Applications submitted without it will not be reviewed by TWAS.
Final Thoughts
The TWAS-SN Bose Postgraduate Fellowship Programme 2025 has far exceeded its original purpose of being a mere financial aid—it’s a platform for the next generation of science revolutionaries. If you are motivated, committed, and want to bring about a positive change, this might be the breakthrough that you have been looking for.
Official Call: https://twas.org/opportunity/twas-sn-bose-postgraduate-fellowship-programme