We are delighted to announce two exciting opportunities at Ashoka University this summer: the Ashoka International Summer Research Programme (AISRP)  and the Summer Course Programme at Ashoka. If you are interested in the Summer Programmes, please see Ashoka University Summer Semester. To apply for the AISPR, please follow the guidance below. 

One place is available for the AISRP programme. Applicants must meet Widening Participation criteria to be eligible to apply. The application form is in the purple section at the bottom of this page. The deadline for applications is 27 February 2025 23:59.

The Programme

The Ashoka International Summer Research Programme offers research projects for undergraduate students to participate in cutting edge interdisciplinary research carried out by faculty and research centres at Ashoka. Participants will work closely with faculty mentors and their research groups

A list of summer research projects for 2025 can be found here.

What are the costs?

One student will be nominated by Durham to participate in the programme. This student will be considered an exchange student and tuition fees will be waived. The remaining fee for the programme is 185000 INR (approx. £1700) which covers room and board.

What funding is available?

A Turing grant is available to support this opportunity as follows:

• Living cost grant: £21 per day towards the fee for the programme
• Travel grant: up to a maximum of £745 (reclaimable against receipts)  
• Additionally, the balance between the living grant amount and the fee for the programme will be covered in full by Durham University.

You must meet certain Widening Participation criteria to be eligible. Students’ eligibility for support will be assessed as part of the application process.  

Fair Access

Fair Access: This initiative is open to any Durham student who meets the eligibility criteria.  Expressions of interest are particularly welcomed from students from backgrounds where participation in study or work abroad is traditionally low. This includes students who: have received or are eligible for the Durham Grant Scheme; have participated in the Supported Progression Scheme or Sutton Trust Summer school at Durham University; are from a minority ethnic group; have a home address in an area of low progression to higher education (i.e. your postcode is listed '1' or '2' in the Polar checking tool.

Widening Participation

For the purposes of funding, the University's definition of Widening Participation includes:

How to Apply

Eligibility:

Interested students need to meet the following eligibility criteria. At the point of expressing interest in this initiative students must:

• Meet certain Widening Participation criteria;
• Have already have completed at least one year of their degree. Typically students will currently be in second year (though some students on four-year integrated Masters programmes may apply in third year);
• Have one full year of study remaining at the time of the research programme (summer 2025);
• Have a minimum weighted average of 65% or higher for their most recent academic year, equivalent to a high 2:1
• Be able to spend 8 weeks within in the period June – August 2025 in India;
• Their chosen research project must match their degree programme.

Application Process

Please note that completing the 'register to apply' form is only the first step of a longer two-step application process. Students must:

1. Apply to Durham, who will select one student to nominate to Ashoka.
2. The nominated student will then have to complete an application with Ashoka.

If you do not complete step 1 and directly apply to Ashoka you will not be considered an exchange student (and they will charge associated tuition fees).

1. Application to Durham

The application form (in the purple section at the bottom of this page) will ask for:

• Personal details
• Name of the project you wish to undertake (see: Ashoka University)
• Upload of a Transcript of Marks indicating that you meet the 65% average requirement;
• Declaration of whether you meet the University's Widening Participation criteria.
• Short personal statement detailing motivation for application

The deadline for applications is Thursday 27 February 23:59

Selection by Durham 

All applications will be vetted by Durham to ensure they meet the eligibility criteria. The nominated space will be allocated based on a combination of academic performance and the personal statement.

2. Application to Ashoka

The selected student will need to apply to Ashoka by 15 April 2025, providing the following:

• Latest academic transcript 
• Statement of purpose (motivation to apply for the programme, max 500 words)
• Letter of recommendation from an academic staff (a professor/lecturer)
• Copy of passport

Following your nomination, the application portal can be accessed here: Ashoka University

Visa and insurance

All international students will require a visa for India. Once accepted, students receive a visa support letter from Ashoka University. It is mandatory that international students have health insurance coverage for India.

Please Note: It is mandatory that students complete Durham's predeparture processes, including VIATOR travel cover and the health declaration form.

Contact for further information: exchanges.studyabroad@durham.ac.uk