The Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Lucknow has officially introduced the “99 Moonshots” Fellowship, a new research-focused grant aimed at boosting the research productivity and global academic contribution of its PhD scholars, the fellowship is funded by the 1999 alumni batch of IIM Lucknow and will support two doctoral scholars in its inaugural year.
Conceptualised to encourage high-quality, impactful research across management domains, the fellowship provides financial support, academic resources, and global exposure opportunities. It reflects the institute’s mission to nurture world-class researchers capable of contributing to academia, industry, and policy-making at a national and international level.
Purpose of the 99 Moonshots Fellowship
The fellowship empowers promising scholars by providing advanced research support through:
- High-impact publication incentives
- Conference travel grants
- Access to academic resources
- Structured feedback through periodic research reviews
Sanjay Singh, Dean (Programme) at IIM Lucknow, acknowledged the alumni’s vision and contribution, emphasising that their initiative demonstrates a strong commitment to strengthening the institute’s research ecosystem.
Alumni Contribution Towards Research Excellence
Driven by a desire to elevate IIM Lucknow’s global research standing, the class of 1999 proposed and funded the fellowship. According to alumnus Ashish Bhagare, the initiative aims to uplift the institute’s international rankings by reinforcing high-quality research output.
The alumni also intend to scale the fellowship in coming years to support more deserving scholars.
Selection Process
Applicants must present a detailed research proposal before a designated selection committee. Proposals are evaluated based on predefined academic criteria, research potential, and relevance.
Key Benefits of the 99 Moonshots Fellowship
Awarded PhD scholars will receive:
- Rs 1 lakh publication award for research published or accepted in top-tier journals
- Rs 3 lakh international conference grant for presenting research abroad
- Contingency and data-collection grants as per the PhD programme manual
- Continuous academic and research support from faculty and alumni
To maintain academic rigor, fellowship recipients must submit research progress reports every six months to a monitoring committee comprising the Thesis Advisory Committee and a representative from the 1999 batch.
The fellowship is a significant milestone in IIM Lucknow’s ongoing efforts to build a strong research culture and support scholars in producing globally relevant work.
Quick Reference Summary Table
| Key Feature | Details |
| Fellowship Name | 99 Moonshots Fellowship |
| Funding By | IIM Lucknow PGP Class of 1999 |
| Beneficiaries | 2 PhD Scholars (first year) |
| Publication Award | Rs 1,00,000 |
| Conference Grant | Rs 3,00,000 |
Frequently Asked Questions
| What is the 99 Moonshots Fellowship at IIM Lucknow? |
| A research fellowship funded by the 1999 alumni batch to support PhD scholars. |
| How many scholars will be selected this year? |
| Two scholars will be awarded the fellowship in the first year. |
| What benefits does the fellowship provide? |
| Rs 1 lakh publication award, Rs 3 lakh conference grant, and academic support. |
| Who funds the fellowship? |
| The PGP Class of 1999 from IIM Lucknow. |
| How are applicants selected? |
| Through a proposal presentation evaluated by a selection committee. |
| Do fellows need to report progress? |
| Yes, fellows must submit updates every six months. |
| What is the aim of the fellowship? |
| To improve research productivity and elevate IIM Lucknow’s global academic standing. |
| Is international conference participation supported? |
| Yes, up to Rs 3 lakh for leading global conferences. |
The 99 Moonshots Fellowship marks a transformative step toward strengthening IIM Lucknow’s research ecosystem. By offering financial support, academic mentorship, and global exposure, the initiative empowers doctoral scholars to pursue ambitious, high-impact research. Candidates are encouraged to stay updated through the official IIM Lucknow website and consider bookmarking this page for future reference, for more details and apply CLICK HERE
