Somerville College and the University of Oxford in collaboration with the Government of India, fund the Oxford Indira Gandhi Graduate Scholarship, one of the most prestigious scholarships in India. The main objective of this scholarship is to encourage talent to work in educational institutions and conduct research that will contribute to the sustainable growth of India.

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Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must meet the following criteria:

• Applicants must be Indian nationals
• Students enrolled in an Indian institution of higher education.

Eligible Programs

Open to full-time doctoral students enrolled at the University of Oxford.

Relevance of the Research

The proposed research must be relevant to the mission of the Oxford India Centre for Sustainable Development (OICSD), which focuses on interdisciplinary development research in themes such as:

• Sustainable cities
• Climate change and clean energy
• Healthcare innovation
• Environmental sustainability
• Food and water security
• Law, governance, and human rights (cross-cutting themes)

Independent proposals on India-related themes fitting within the broader aims of OICSD

Oxford Indira Gandhi Graduate Scholarship Selection Process

• Initial Consideration: This funding is available to all eligible applicants who submit their graduate application before the funding deadline. Such applicants do not need to indicate a college preference.
• College Placement: The scholarship is tenable only at Somerville College. If the successful candidate is initially placed in a different college, they will get transferred to Somerville.
• Application Confirmation: Eligible candidates will receive an email affirming their interest with a simple online form. The form will also demonstrate why OICSD’s research is relevant to them.
• Shortlisting and Interview: After the stipulated deadline, they will inform the shortlisted candidates and ask them to suggest a date for the interview.

Other Selection Criteria

They will give preference for this scholarship to candidates who meet the following criteria:

Academic excellence

• The strengths and capabilities essential to carrying out quality research

Relevance of the research

• Relation between the research objectives and the interdisciplinary goals of OICSD

• Understanding of India’s development challenges

• A thorough grasp of sustainable development challenges relevant to India.

Leadership and innovation

• The presence of leadership and entrepreneurial capabilities can strengthen development efforts.

Oxford Indira Gandhi Graduate Scholarship Award

1. Financial Support
   • Course Fees: Full coverage of fees associated with the DPhil program.
   • Living Costs: Cover necessary living expenses during the study period.
2. Duration
   • Funding is for the full duration of fee liability for the DPhil course.
3. Number of Scholarships
   • One scholarship is available for the 2025 entry cycle.

Oxford Indira Gandhi Graduate Scholarship Application Process

• Complete your application by the relevant funding deadline for a full-time DPhil programme at Oxford University.
• Your proposal should focus on the objectives of the Oxford India Centre for Sustainable Development.
• Await instructions from OICSD regarding the scholarship application procedure.

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Conclusion

Oxford Indira Gandhi Graduate Scholarship offers an exceptional opportunity for outstanding researchers to further their academic aspirations at Oxford University whilst making an important contribution to India’s Sustainable Development Goals. Candidates should be able to prepare a strong proposal and demonstrate how they will solve one of India’s most pressing challenges through their research.