RMIT-AcSIR Joint Research Program

Established in 2011 as an ‘Institution of National Importance’, the Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR) has adopted the mandate to create and train some of the best of tomorrow’s science & technology leaders through a combination of innovative and novel curricula, pedagogy and evaluation. AcSIR’s focus is on imparting instruction and providing research opportunities in such areas that are not routinely taught in regular academic universities in India.
AcSIR has been set-up based on a ‘hub and spoke’ model where the hub (AcSIR-HQ Ghaziabad) is responsible for centralised administrative functions. The spokes are located in the 38 institutes/units (AcSIR Academic Centres) and 14 non-CSIR Institutes (AcSIR Associate Academic Centres) spread along the length and breadth of India, which act as the academic campuses of AcSIR. In addition, AcSIR has collaborative academic programs with other national and international educational institutions.

Current academic programs are offered under 5 faculties of study:

1. Biological Sciences
2. Chemical Sciences
3. Engineering Sciences
4. Physical Sciences
5. Mathematical & Information Sciences.

As of 31 January 2023, more than 4,300 Masters and PhD students have already graduated from AcSIR; PhD graduates comprise the major proportion of them.

Currently, with about 6,000 PhD students on its rolls in Science & Engineering, AcSIR is the largest institution of higher learning in India and has awarded 577 PhD degrees in the year 2022 in various areas of STEM.

Admission Process

Students who are already enrolled in an AcSIR PhD program are eligible to apply for an RMIT-AcSIR PhD Research Scholarship. The PhD student will continue to be based at the AcSIR host institute in India but will spend up to 12 months of the latter stage of their program in RMIT University with an RMIT co-supervisor in Australia.

Benefits of a Joint PhD Degree

• At the successful completion of the degree, the candidate will be awarded PhDs from both RMIT University and AcSIR
• Candidates will gain access to RMIT’s state-of-the-art research facilities and labs
• Candidates will benefit from supervision under research scholars from both Australia and India
• Candidates will receive a tax-free stipend scholarship for up to 12 months of approximately AUD $32,800 p.a
• Candidates will have international research collaboration opportunities

The Scholarship includes

• A tuition fee scholarship at RMIT University for the duration of candidature up to 4.0 years
• Single Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) for up to 12 months to study at RMIT University in Australia
• Visa sponsorship for up to 12 months to study at RMIT University in Australia
• A stipend scholarship for up to 12 months while attending RMIT University in Australia. This scholarship will be paid at same rate of pay as the current RMIT Research Stipend Scholarship (approximately AUD $32,800 p.a.)
• Candidates may be considered for a relocation grant of up to a maximum of AUD $1,540 per candidate towards airfare when they come to Melbourne, Australia
• Return airfare (economy class) will be paid by STEM College
• HDR support fund of $3,500 from STEM College when enrolled onshore
• At the satisfactory completion of all requirements of an RMIT PhD program the candidate will receive a PhD degree from RMIT in addition to their AcSIR PhD degree

Eligibility

To be eligible you must satisfy the following:

• Been awarded a fellowship (such as NET, JRF, INSPIRE, AcSIR or CSIR fellowships) tenable at CSIR institutes; or hold an industry funded sponsorship; and
• Been accepted to a CSIR laboratory for an AcSIR PhD program; and
• Have commenced an AcSIR-CSIR PhD program;
• Have completed more than 6 months but less than 2.5 years of an AcSIR PhD program;
• Applicants must also meet the minimum entry requirements into a RMIT PhD program, including English language requirements. See the RMIT Postgraduate website for more details.

How to Apply

Interested applicants should first email their AcSIR coordinator at their CSIR and/or Arpita Sengupta arpita.acsir@acsir.res.in in the AcSIR Head Office.

For any information regarding RMIT and the admission process, please contact School of Graduate Research at sgr.admissions@rmit.edu.au

For any information regarding the RMIT-AcSIR Joint Research Program, please contact Tae Kim the Senior Officer, Offshore Program Support, STEM Research and Innovation at taehyun.kim@rmit.edu.au