Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Lucknow has launched a significant new program named the '99 Moonshots' Fellowship . This fellowship is designed to greatly help PhD students (also called doctoral scholars) with their important research work. The entire program is generously funded by the alumni from IIM Lucknow's Post-Graduate Program (PGP) Class of 1999.
The main goal of this fellowship is to boost the amount and quality of research done by students at IIM Lucknow. It aims to improve the institute's standing in both academics and research in the long run. By supporting doctoral students, IIM Lucknow hopes to produce more valuable knowledge and solutions that can benefit various fields.
Two students have been announced as the first recipients of this prestigious fellowship: Ayushi Singh and Satish Kumar . Ayushi Singh is a Research Scholar specializing in Operations & Supply Chain Management. Satish Kumar is a PhD Scholar focused on Strategic Management. Both were selected for their promising academic records and innovative research proposals.
Why This Fellowship Matters
The idea for the 99 Moonshots fellowship came from IIM Lucknow's 1999 PGP batch. They proposed this initiative to help the institute create more high-quality research. This kind of support from former students shows their deep commitment to IIM Lucknow's mission and future success. It helps ensure that current students have the best possible environment to excel in their studies.
Prof. M.P. Gupta , the Director of IIM Lucknow, expressed his pride in launching this fellowship. He highlighted that it reflects the alumni's lasting commitment to pushing forward research excellence. He noted that recognizing Ayushi Singh and Satish Kumar as the first winners sets a strong example for nurturing impactful academic work. Prof. Gupta believes this fellowship will empower PhD students to conduct detailed investigations and contribute solutions that shape academia, industry, and society. He conveyed his sincere thanks to the 1999 Batch for their support.
Prof. Sanjay Singh , Dean (Programme) at IIM Lucknow, also extended his heartfelt thanks to the Class of 1999 for their valuable contribution. He warmly congratulated the first fellowship awardees for their excellent academic potential. Prof. Singh believes this financial aid will certainly inspire them to pursue meaningful research and maintain the highest standards of scholarship.
Benefits of the 99 Moonshots Fellowship
The 99 Moonshots grant offers several key advantages to the selected PhD scholars:
- Publication Award: Students who get their research published or accepted in top-tier journals (Category A and above) will receive an award of Rs. 1 Lakh . Publishing in such highly respected journals means their work is recognized as excellent by experts in their field, which is a major achievement for any researcher. This award encourages students to aim for high-quality, impactful research.
- Conference Grant: The fellowship includes a grant of Rs. 3 Lakh . This money allows scholars to travel and present their research at leading international conferences. Attending these conferences is important for sharing new ideas, getting feedback from global experts, and building connections with other researchers around the world. It helps students grow professionally.
- Academic Support: Scholars will also receive other necessary academic support. This includes grants for unexpected expenses (contingency funds) and money for collecting research data. This support is provided according to the PhD Programme Manual, making sure students have the necessary resources to conduct their studies properly without financial stress.
Prof. Pushpendra Priyadarshi , Chairperson of the Doctoral Program in Management at IIM Lucknow, praised this initiative. He said that through this unique program, the alumni have kept the PhD program at the forefront of IIM Lucknow's efforts to do cutting-edge management research. He found the alumni's involvement and dedication admirable and was happy with the research ideas shared by the students. He expressed his hope that more alumni will join this program to make it even stronger.
This new fellowship marks a major step for IIM Lucknow in strengthening its research capabilities and supporting its doctoral students. It shows how strong alumni networks can play a crucial role in advancing education and academic excellence, helping students achieve their research goals and contribute valuable insights to their fields. The program is expected to attract more talented students to the doctoral program, further strengthening IIM Lucknow's position in the academic world.
