Fellowship aims to support scholars and practitioners working on responsible business, sustainability and evidence-based CSR practice in India
NEW DELHI (India CSR): A new research-focused initiative, the Chatterjee National CSR Fellowship, has been announced to encourage high-quality research, thought leadership and evidence-based practice in the field of Corporate Social Responsibility.
The fellowship has been designed to support both academic and practitioner-led research in CSR. It seeks to create a stronger bridge between academic inquiry and practical field-level experience.
Dr. Bhaskar Chatterjee is widely regarded as the Father of CSR in India, known for his key role in shaping India’s CSR framework, including CSR guidelines for Public Sector Enterprises and Section 135 of the Companies Act, 2013.
As CSR continues to gain strategic importance in India, the need for credible research, policy insights and impact-oriented knowledge has become more important. CSR spending in India is expected to grow significantly in the coming years, creating a strong need for research-backed decision-making and responsible implementation.
Two Fellowships Every Year
Under the programme, two fellowships will be awarded every year. One fellowship will be given to a practitioner and one to an academic.
Each selected fellow will receive a fellowship award of Rs. 1,00,000. The duration of the fellowship will be one year.
The fellowship is open to individuals who hold a Master’s degree or higher from a recognized university. Practitioners, former practitioners, academicians and research scholars with a demonstrated interest in CSR are eligible to apply.
Focus on Research and Policy Contribution
The fellowship will give selected candidates the opportunity to undertake a comprehensive research study in the area of CSR and sustainability.
Awardees will be required to submit detailed reports and follow academic integrity standards. The programme also includes periodic monitoring and milestone-based fund disbursement to ensure accountability and quality of research.
The initiative aims to encourage research that can contribute to responsible business, sustainable development and better CSR practices in India.
Mentorship and Knowledge Support
One of the key features of the fellowship is research mentorship. Selected fellows will collaborate closely with Dr. Chatterjee’s research and analysis team.
The fellowship will also offer exposure to CSR and sustainability policy formulation. Fellows may get opportunities to contribute to teaching, publishing and knowledge-building platforms.
The initiative also seeks to help fellows develop strategic and systems-level thinking in CSR and sustainability.
Networking with CSR Leaders
The fellowship will provide selected candidates opportunities to engage with experts from academia, industry, government and civil society.
This networking exposure is expected to help fellows understand the evolving CSR ecosystem in India and contribute more meaningfully to future policy and practice.
Application Timeline
Registration forms for proposal submission will be open from April 1 to June 15, 2026.
Applicants can register through the official form:
https://forms.gle/NkHq34uN4h6RcryJ7
An application processing fee of ₹5,000 is applicable at the time of registration. The fee is non-refundable.
After successful registration, applicants can proceed to submit their detailed research proposal.
Institutions Invited to Share the Opportunity
Academic institutions have been invited to disseminate the fellowship opportunity among faculty members, research scholars and alumni networks.
The organizers believe that academic institutions can play a vital role in nurturing impactful CSR research and supporting the next generation of CSR thought leaders.
Detailed guidelines and the application roadmap are available through the official fellowship communication and the Fellowship – Bhaskar Chatterjee page.
A Step Towards Strengthening CSR Research
The Chatterjee National CSR Fellowship comes at a time when India’s CSR ecosystem is expanding in both scale and complexity.
With companies increasingly focusing on measurable impact, sustainability and community development, the demand for strong research and evidence-based practice is growing.
The fellowship is expected to encourage meaningful research that can support better CSR policy, stronger implementation and deeper social impact.
