Archive · 19 Aug 2026
Valliappa Foundation Announces Three PhD Fellowships Honoring Prof Rajinder Kumar
The Valliappa Foundation has created a fellowship to help three PhD students with their research.
Each student will receive Rs 1 lakh every year for three years.
This adds up to Rs 3 lakh for each student.
The money can help pay for research materials, academic travel and other study activities.
Students must already be doing a full-time PhD at one of India’s top 100 NIRF-ranked institutions.
Experts from Sona College of Technology and Vee Technologies will help choose the winners.
The fellowship is named after Prof Rajinder Kumar, a scientist and educator known for work in chemical engineering.
Applications for the first fellowships close on September 15, 2026.
Three selected PhD scholars will receive Rs 1 lakh annually for three years, or Rs 3 lakh each in total.
The Valliappa Foundation fellowship is intended to fund research materials, academic travel and other doctoral activities.
Applicants must be full-time PhD scholars registered at institutions ranked among the NIRF’s top 100.
Applications for the inaugural fellowships close on September 15, 2026, with selection by experts from Sona College of Technology and Vee Technologies.
The fellowship honors Prof Rajinder Kumar’s contributions to chemical engineering, research, education and institution-building.
- Who
- The Valliappa Foundation, three PhD scholars, Prof Rajinder Kumar, Chocko Valliappa, C Valliappa and Prof KS Gandhi.
- What
- The launch of three doctoral research fellowships providing Rs 1 lakh per year for three years to each selected scholar.
- When
- Announced on Tuesday; applications for the inaugural fellowships close on September 15, 2026.
- Where
- India; the reports are datelined Bengaluru and New Delhi, and the fellowships are open to scholars at eligible Indian institutions.
- Why
- To support doctoral research, honor Prof Rajinder Kumar’s legacy and encourage high-quality research and practical scientific applications.
- Fellowship
- Padma Bhushan Prof Rajinder Kumar Research Fellowship
- Funding organization
- Valliappa Foundation
- Number of recipients
- Three PhD scholars
- Annual support
- Rs 1 lakh per scholar
- Duration
- Three years
- Total support
- Rs 3 lakh per scholar
- Eligibility
- Full-time PhD scholars registered at institutions ranked among the NIRF top 100
- Application deadline
- September 15, 2026
