Dr Kasturirangan Trust Launched to Support Young Researchers in India
Bengaluru, October 26, 2026: The Dr Kasturirangan Trust was launched in Bengaluru on October 25 to support young researchers, promote scientific research and encourage solutions to societal challenges. The Trust will focus on four areas: space and technology, education, sustainability, and public policy.
The initiative aims to carry forward the legacy of Dr. Krishnaswamy Kasturirangan, whose work over six decades contributed to India's development in space, science and technology, and education.
The Trust plans to support researchers through fellowships, scholarships and grants. Its activities will also include conferences, support for book-writing and scientific curation, and collaborations with institutions in India and abroad to promote research and inform public policy.
The organisation aims to build an institution focused on future-oriented research, thought leadership and practical problem-solving. It will operate as a non-profit, non-political public charitable trust governed by a Board of Trustees, an Advisory Board and an Executive Council. Its work will be guided by the principles of responsible research, compassion, excellence and respect for nature.
Dr. Sanjay Rangan, Trustee of the Dr Kasturirangan Trust, said, “Dr. Kasturirangan believed in the power of knowledge and research to address the challenges facing our country. Through this Trust, we hope to carry forward his vision by bringing people and institutions together to find solutions that benefit society and support future leaders.”
The Trust's first initiative, the Dr Kasturirangan 2027 Fellowship, will support six PhD and post-doctoral researchers whose work spans more than one of its four focus areas and has practical applications. Each selected fellow will receive a one-time grant of ₹4 lakh towards research costs, along with mentorship, opportunities to present their work at two workshops annually, and access to a growing peer community.
The fellowship is open to candidates who submitted their PhD thesis between January 1, 2025, and December 31, 2026. For its inaugural year, nominations must be submitted either by a group of eminent individuals who knew Dr. Kasturirangan or by leading universities. The Trust plans to introduce an open application process in subsequent years.
Nominations for the fellowship will open on October 27, 2026, and close on December 31, 2026. The first cohort of fellows is scheduled to be announced on April 25, 2027.
Through its research support programmes and institutional collaborations, the Dr Kasturirangan Trust aims to create opportunities for emerging researchers and encourage interdisciplinary work addressing India's scientific, social and development priorities.
