IIT Madras WSAI Post Bacc Fellowship Program 2026 | Research Fellowship in Data Science and Artificial Intelligence

The Wadhwani School of Data Science and Artificial Intelligence (WSAI), Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) has announced the Post Bacc Fellowship Program 2026 for exceptional graduates and postgraduates interested in pursuing advanced research in Data Science and Artificial Intelligence.

The fellowship provides an outstanding opportunity to work alongside renowned researchers, contribute to cutting-edge AI research, publish in top international venues, and gain access to world-class computational infrastructure. The program is ideal for students planning higher studies, research careers, or doctoral programs in AI and Data Science.

Programs Available

1. WSAI Post Bacc Fellowship Program

A two-year research fellowship for outstanding graduates and postgraduates interested in advanced research in Artificial Intelligence and Data Science.

2. WSAI Post Bacc-W Fellowship Program (For Women)

An exclusive fellowship designed to encourage women researchers in Data Science and Artificial Intelligence, offering mentorship, research opportunities, and professional development.

Eligibility Criteria

WSAI Post Bacc Fellowship

Applicants must have:

• A 4-year Bachelor's Degree or a Master's Degree in disciplines relevant to WSAI.
• Age below 27 years at the time of application.

WSAI Post Bacc-W Fellowship

Applicants must have:

• A 4-year Bachelor's Degree or a Master's Degree in relevant disciplines.
• Women candidates below 28 years are encouraged to apply.

Research Areas

Fellows may work in diverse domains including:

• Artificial Intelligence
• Machine Learning
• Data Science
• Computer Vision
• Natural Language Processing
• Robotics
• Healthcare AI
• Deep Learning
• Reinforcement Learning
• Generative AI
• Responsible AI
• Interdisciplinary AI Applications

Program Benefits

Selected fellows will receive:

• Opportunity to work at one of India's leading research centres for Data Science & Artificial Intelligence.
• Collaboration with renowned scientists and researchers from around the world.
• Access to state-of-the-art CPU/GPU High-Performance Computing (HPC) infrastructure.
• Opportunity to earn course credits at IIT Madras.
• Guidance from experienced faculty members and research mentors.
• Opportunity to publish research in top international journals and A* conferences.
• Institutional support for publications accepted at premier research venues.
• Fully funded participation in one national conference every year.

Additional Benefits for Post Bacc-W Fellowship

• Mentorship by leading women researchers from academia and industry.
• Opportunities to attend prestigious events such as:
  • ACM-W
  • Grace Hopper Celebration of Women in Computing
  • Other national and international networking events.

Who Should Apply?

This fellowship is ideal for:

• Final-year students completing their Bachelor's degree.
• Recent graduates.
• Master's graduates planning for Ph.D. programs.
• Candidates interested in AI research before pursuing higher education.
• Students aiming for careers in research laboratories, academia, and advanced AI industries.

Why Join WSAI IIT Madras?

• Work at one of India's premier AI research centres.
• Learn directly from internationally recognized faculty and researchers.
• Gain hands-on research experience on cutting-edge AI projects.
• Build a strong research profile for Ph.D. admissions worldwide.
• Access world-class computing infrastructure and collaborative research ecosystem.

Important Details

• Organization: Wadhwani School of Data Science and Artificial Intelligence (WSAI), IIT Madras
• Program: Post Bacc Fellowship & Post Bacc-W Fellowship
• Duration: Up to 2 Years
• Mode: Full-Time Research Fellowship
• Location: IIT Madras, Chennai, Tamil Nadu

How to Apply

Interested candidates should apply through the official WSAI IIT Madras Fellowship Portal and submit the required application documents before the announced deadline.

Why You Should Apply

The WSAI Post Bacc Fellowship provides an excellent platform for young graduates to gain intensive research experience in Artificial Intelligence and Data Science while working with globally recognized researchers. The program also serves as a strong stepping stone toward prestigious Ph.D. programs, research careers, and AI industry leadership roles.