The Adobe India AI Research Fellowship is a one-year award for PhD researchers in India who work on artificial intelligence. Adobe runs the programme through its Adobe Research unit. The award pays Rs. 12,00,000 over 12 months.
You can apply only if you are a full-time PhD candidate at a recognised university in India with at least 12 months left before you finish. The window for the current round is shut.
What you get
- The stipend is Rs. 12,00,000 for the year, and it is paid in one sum at the start.
- Fellows also get a year of free use of selected Adobe software, including Express Premium, a Creative Cloud subscription and Firefly credits.
- Mentorship from Adobe researchers may be offered, depending on shared interest and fit with the programme’s focus.
- Taking part in mentorship is optional, and it does not promise a job at Adobe.
Who can apply
- Your PhD must be full-time, at a recognised university in India.
- You need at least 12 months of your PhD still to go when you apply.
- You should show a strong research record and a clear plan for advanced AI work.
- Your dissertation should fall in one or more of these areas: AI and machine learning, computer vision, natural language processing, agent-based and multi-agent systems, generative models, human-computer interaction, and databases and systems research.
- The official pages set no rule on category, caste, family income, age or minimum marks. They also list no other exclusions.
How to apply
- Open the fellowship page on Adobe Research’s website.
- Click the Apply Now button on that page to reach the official application portal.
- Submit all required materials before the deadline.
The current round is closed, so you cannot apply now. Official updates and deadlines are posted on the programme’s webpage.
Documents you need
- Your CV should show publications, preprints, patents, code, datasets and other scholarly output.
- A statement of your dissertation focus and its wider context is required.
- Transcripts from your undergraduate and graduate studies must be included.
- Two referees must write for you: your PhD advisor and one other person.
- An essay must explain what your research could add to creative technologies and digital systems.
How students are selected
Applications are judged on academic performance, originality of research and relevance to Adobe’s research themes. Shortlisted candidates then go through an interview.
Renewal
The official pages describe a one-year award. They do not say whether a fellow can receive a second year. The programme is meant to sit alongside a fellow’s ongoing dissertation work.
Important dates
The 2026 round is closed. The official page names three 2026 fellowship winners, from the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, IIT Delhi and IIT (BHU) Varanasi. The official pages give no closing date for a 2026-27 round. Check the official fellowship page for updates.
Official sources
Checked against these official sources on 5 November 2026.
