Applications for FAST-SF 2027 are now open, and the last date to apply online is 30 November 2026. The Focus Area Science Technology Summer Fellowship 2027 will offer about 200 fellowships to students and teachers from North East India and other focus regions of the country.
The fellowship lets selected candidates spend two months working with a scientist linked to India’s three leading science academies. Selected fellows receive round trip train fare and a monthly fellowship to cover living expenses at the place of work.
If you study or teach in Assam, Bihar, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir or any other eligible region, this guide explains everything you need. It covers FAST-SF 2027 eligibility, documents, the online application process, important dates and tips to strengthen your application.
FAST-SF 2027 Key Highlights
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Fellowship name | Focus Area Science Technology Summer Fellowship (FAST-SF) 2027 |
| Organised by | Indian Academy of Sciences (Bengaluru), Indian National Science Academy (New Delhi), The National Academy of Sciences, India (Prayagraj) |
| Number of fellowships | About 200 |
| Who can apply | UG/PG students and teachers from the focus regions |
| Duration | Two months (summer months preferred) |
| Benefits | Round trip train fare + monthly fellowship |
| Mode of application | Online only |
| Last date to apply | 30 November 2026 |
| Selection results | Around March–April 2027 |
| Official website | webjapps.ias.ac.in/fastsf2027 |
What Is the Focus Area Science Technology Summer Fellowship?
FAST-SF is a short-term research fellowship started by the Inter Academy Panel to spread science and technology to specific regions of India. It is run jointly by the Indian Academy of Sciences (IASc), the Indian National Science Academy (INSA) and The National Academy of Sciences, India (NASI).
Unlike many summer research programmes open to the whole country, FAST-SF 2027 is reserved for students and teachers from selected focus regions. This gives learners from these areas a dedicated chance to train in top laboratories.
Fellows can be placed with scientists associated with the three Academies anywhere in India. A list of scientists and faculty who have agreed to guide fellows on short-term projects is published online along with the application format.
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FAST-SF 2027 Eligible States and Union Territories
Only students and teachers studying or working in the following regions can apply. Their institutions must be affiliated to UGC, AICTE or MCI, or be accredited institutions or private universities.
| Region | States / UTs |
|---|---|
| North East India | Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim, Tripura |
| Islands | Andaman, Lakshadweep |
| Central and Eastern India | Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh |
| Himalayan region | Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, UTs of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh |
Note that eligibility depends on where you study or teach, not on your home state. A student from Bihar studying in Delhi, for example, would not qualify under the stated rules.
FAST-SF 2027 Eligibility Criteria for Students
Students must be enrolled in a specific course and a specific year of study. Applying from the wrong year is one of the most common reasons for rejection, so check this table carefully.
| Course | Eligible year(s) |
|---|---|
| BS / BSc | II year only |
| BSc (Research) | III year only |
| BStat / BMath | II year only |
| BPharm | III and IV years |
| BE / BTech / BCA | II and III years |
| BArch | II, III and IV years |
| MS / MSc / MVSc / MPharm | I year only |
| ME / MTech / MCA / MArch | I year only |
| MStat / MMath | I year only |
| 5-year integrated MS / MSc / MTech / MBBS / BVSc | II, III and IV years |
| PharmD | III and IV years |
| Dual degree BTech + MTech | II, III and IV years |
| Dual degree BE + MSc | II, III and IV years |
| Dual degree BS + MS | II, III and IV years |
| Integrated PhD | I and II years |
| MSc Tech | I and II years |
Minimum marks requirement
Student applicants need an average of 65% or above in core subjects from Class X up to their current level. Language subjects are excluded from this calculation, so only science, mathematics and other core papers count.
Who is not eligible
PhD students cannot apply for FAST-SF 2027. Students in years not listed above, such as BSc first year or MSc second year, are also outside the eligibility window.
FAST-SF 2027 Eligibility for Teachers
Teachers working in any of the eligible states and union territories can apply. The 65% minimum marks rule does not apply to teacher applicants.
Teachers should upload their publications, if any, with the application. If selected, they must send an authorization letter from their Principal or Head of Department granting permission or leave. This letter goes by post to The Coordinator, FAST-SF 2027, Indian Academy of Sciences, Bengaluru 560 080.
Benefits of the FAST-SF 2027 Fellowship
Selected fellows get financial support plus hands-on research experience under an established scientist. The main benefits are:
- Two-month research project with an assigned guide at a leading institution anywhere in India, at any time in the calendar year (summer is preferred).
- Round trip train fare to and from the place of work, as entitled.
- Monthly fellowship to meet living expenses during the project. The announcement does not state the exact amount.
- Research exposure that strengthens future applications for higher studies, PhD positions and jobs.
- Academic network with scientists from IASc, INSA and NASI, which can lead to strong recommendation letters.
Documents Required for FAST-SF 2027
Keep these ready before you start the online form, because the form expects them during submission.
| Document | Who needs it | Format / note |
|---|---|---|
| Mark sheets from Class X to the last examination | Students and teachers | Scanned JPEG, max 700 KB each |
| Write-up on area of interest | Students and teachers | About 150–250 words, original |
| Contact details and email of a present teacher | Students | For the recommendation letter |
| Publications | Teachers | If any |
| Authorization letter from Principal/HoD | Teachers | Sent by post, only after selection |
Do not send hard copies of mark sheets or the application. Everything is submitted online.
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How to Apply Online for FAST-SF 2027: Step by Step
The FAST-SF 2027 apply online process takes place only through the official portal. Follow these steps:
- Check eligibility against the course, year, region and 65% marks rules above.
- Read the instructions on the official instructions page.
- Browse the list of guides published online and note scientists whose work matches your interest.
- Scan your mark sheets from Class X onward as JPEG files under 700 KB each.
- Draft your write-up of about 150–250 words offline first.
- Open the application portal via www.ias.ac.in, www.insaindia.res.in or www.nasi.ac.in.
- Fill in the form, completing every field marked with an asterisk (*).
- Upload documents and enter your teacher’s contact details (students only).
- Submit and save the registration number. You must quote it in all future correspondence.
Submit only one application. If a candidate submits more than one, none of the applications will be considered.
How to Write a Strong FAST-SF 2027 Write-Up
The 150–250 word write-up is your best chance to stand out. The Academies want to see a specific research interest, not a textbook summary of a subject.
- Be specific. Name the exact experiment, technique or theory you want to work on. “I want to study CRISPR-based gene editing in rice” beats “I like biotechnology.”
- Avoid general descriptions. The instructions clearly say the write-up should not be a general description of the area.
- State your goals. Explain what you want to learn and achieve, such as a new lab skill or a deeper understanding of a method.
- Link to a guide. If a listed scientist works in your area, shape your interest around problems they study.
- Write it yourself. The write-up must not be copied and pasted from any source.
- Use plain characters. Avoid apostrophes and special symbols like Ø or Ü, as the system may block the upload. Write “do not” instead of “don’t”.
FAST-SF 2027 Important Dates and Selection Process
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Announcement released | 10 September 2026 |
| Last date to apply online | 30 November 2026 |
| Selection information dispatched | Around March–April 2027 |
| Fellowship period | Two months during 2027 (summer preferred) |
After the deadline, the Academy contacts each student’s listed teacher for a recommendation letter in a prescribed format. Selection decisions rest solely with the Academies. Selected candidates receive the result together with the concurrence of their assigned guide.
Common Mistakes to Avoid in the FAST-SF 2027 Application
Small errors can get a strong application rejected. Watch out for these:
- Applying from an ineligible year of study, such as BTech IV year or MSc II year.
- Submitting more than one application, which cancels all of them.
- Uploading mark sheets larger than 700 KB or in PDF instead of JPEG.
- Leaving out mark sheets for any year from Class X onward.
- Using apostrophes or special scientific characters in the form.
- Writing a generic or copied write-up.
- Giving the email of a teacher who does not know your work well.
- Providing false information. If found, the fellowship is cancelled, the amount must be repaid, and the guide and your institution are informed.
- Waiting until the last day, when servers can be slow.
FAST-SF 2027: Frequently Asked Questions
What is the last date to apply for FAST-SF 2027?
The last date to submit the online application is 30 November 2026.
How many fellowships are offered under FAST-SF 2027?
About 200 fellowships will be awarded to eligible students and teachers in 2027.
Can a student from West Bengal or Delhi apply for FAST-SF 2027?
No. Only those studying or teaching in the listed North Eastern states, Andaman, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, Lakshadweep, Madhya Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Ladakh and Uttarakhand can apply. Students elsewhere can look at the regular IASc-INSA-NASI Summer Research Fellowship Programme.
Is there an application fee for FAST-SF 2027?
The official announcement and instructions do not mention any application fee.
What is the minimum percentage required for FAST-SF 2027?
Students need an average of 65% or more in core subjects, excluding languages, from Class X onward. Teachers are exempt.
Can PhD students apply?
No. PhD students are not eligible. Integrated PhD students in their I or II year can apply.
Do I need to send hard copies?
No. Do not send hard copies of mark sheets or applications. Only selected teachers must post an authorization letter.
When will FAST-SF 2027 results be announced?
Selection information, with the guide’s concurrence, will be sent around March–April 2027.