The JSW Law Fellowship Programme promotes scholarly exchange, collaborative research and academic excellence. Every fellow can open new lines of inquiry and build relationships that last well beyond the fellowship period. The Programme works through two pathways, outgoing fellowships for JSW Law faculty and incoming fellowships for visiting scholars, complemented by the Visiting Scholars Programme. Priority is given to partners in SAARC and ASEAN countries and to scholars from underrepresented regions and institutions, including scholars from within Bhutan. The Programme is coordinated by the Chief Research Officer and reviewed every year using feedback from fellows and host institutions.
Outgoing fellowships (for JSW Law faculty)
Outgoing fellowships enable eligible JSW Law faculty to pursue focused, full-time research at partner institutions. They may be funded by JSW Law, by the host institution or by both.
Eligibility
Appointment: full-time faculty member of JSW Law.
Experience: at least three years of teaching at JSW Law.
Publications: at least three research publications in reputed journals.
Frequency: must not have held the same fellowship in the past three years.
Benefits
Duration: from one month to a maximum of two years with JSW Law funding.
Funding: may cover return economy-class travel, accommodation and subsistence allowances, and course or attachment fees, subject to institutional and government rules.
Time and focus: protected time for full-time research in a partner institution.
Obligations
Bond: fellows sign a bond to return to JSW Law for a period equal to twice the duration of the fellowship.
On return: fellows submit a final report, present their findings at a seminar at JSW Law, develop at least one publication from the fellowship research and help strengthen the relationship with the host institution.
Incoming visiting fellowships
Incoming fellows join JSW Law for periods generally between three months and one year. The Programme welcomes legal academics, jurists, senior government officials, and doctoral and post-doctoral researchers.
Eligibility
Who may apply: legal academics, jurists, senior government officials, and doctoral and post-doctoral researchers.
Sponsor: each fellow has a JSW Law faculty sponsor.
Fit: a research proposal relevant to the JSW Law research agenda.
Benefits
Funding: fellowships may be funded by the sending institution, by JSW Law or jointly. JSW Law funding may include a modest living stipend, accommodation assistance or a housing allowance, limited research support and return economy airfare.
Facilities: library privileges, access to electronic research services and, where possible, workspace at the Research Centre.
Obligations
Contribution: fellows take part in workshops, seminars and lectures, present their work in progress at least once at the Visiting Scholar’s Forum, and submit a final research report before departure.
JSW Law-funded fellows: also give a public lecture and produce a publication.
Visiting Scholars Programme
Scholars who wish to spend time at JSW Law outside the fellowship schemes may apply for a residence of up to one academic year. Visiting scholars give lectures, lead workshops or undertake collaborative research. Applications include a proposal of about 1,000 words describing the planned work and its relevance to the research agenda.
Application procedure
Step 1, Check the call: the Research Centre announces outgoing fellowship calls; incoming applications are accepted on a rolling basis and reviewed every quarter.
Step 2, Prepare your application: complete the relevant fellowship application form (Research Centre Guideline, Annexures J to N), with a research proposal, a curriculum vitae and, for incoming fellows, the name of a JSW Law faculty sponsor.
Step 3, Submit early: outgoing applications should be made at least one term before the intended start.
Step 4, Review: the Research Centre assesses merit, relevance to the research agenda and available funding, and refers recommendations for approval.
Step 5, Confirm and prepare: successful applicants receive an offer setting out the period, funding and obligations, and the Research Centre helps with arrangements.
Expected outcomes
Publication: original research suitable for a reputable journal or the JSW Law Publishing Series.
Engagement: a seminar, lecture or workshop at JSW Law.
Collaboration: stronger institutional and scholarly links.
Reporting: a final report on the research undertaken and its results.
The Strategy aims to host two visiting fellows or scholars in 2028 and three a year by 2030.