About the Program
CASI’s Visiting Scholars/Fellows Program is designed to bring individuals to the University of Pennsylvania with different areas of expertise from academia, the bureaucracy and civil services, NGOs, and civil society (such as media). Scholars and fellows participate in CASI events; engage in scholarly research projects; present their research as a part of the CASI seminar series; and interact with undergraduate and graduate students, and Penn faculty.
Fellowships are typically one to three months in duration. Fellows are invited to apply for the 2025-26 Academic Year (September 2025 to May 2026). For an in-depth look at Penn and CASI activities throughout the year, please reference Penn’s Academic Calendar and CASI’s Calendar of Events.
Our program values interdisciplinary research, collaboration, and collegiality; is committed to promoting a culturally diverse intellectual community; and strongly encourages applications from women, minorities, and under-represented communities.
Highlights of CASI at Penn
Since its founding in 1992 within the School of Arts & Sciences (SAS), CASI has continued to uphold Penn's global reputation as a leading U.S. institution of research in South Asian studies and scholarship on India. CASI’s goals are to engage in policy-relevant research focused on the challenges facing contemporary India; to nurture discussion in contemporary India through interactions with visiting scholars and opportunities to work and conduct research in India; and to act as a public forum on contemporary India through seminars, workshops, conferences, and publications.
The University of Pennsylvania is host to one of the most premiere South Asia collections in the United States. During your time in-residence, you will encounter an engaged community of scholars conducting research on India. While at CASI, you will work on your own research projects as well as contribute to CASI’s related research program. Program participants typically present in a seminar attended by faculty and students as well as contribute a short article for India in Transition, CASI’s bi-weekly publication.
Fellowship Provides
- Furnished accommodation near campus
- Roundtrip Economy international airfare to Philadelphia
- A monthly living stipend
- A modest research fund
Eligibility Guidelines
Applicants for our academic or researcher track must hold a PhD. Applicants for our policymaker/civil society/media track must have a minimum of 5 years’ experience and preferably a masters in their chosen field.
Application Process
APPLY FOR THE 2025-26 COHORT
Applications for the 2025-2026 Academic Year (beginning September 2025 through May 2026) are accepted through January 2, 2025, at 11:59 PM EST.
Please note that due to the volume of applications we receive, we cannot provide feedback on applications or individual notifications of unsuccessful applications.
Diversity Statement
The University of Pennsylvania values diversity and seeks talented students, faculty and staff from diverse backgrounds. The University of Pennsylvania does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, creed, national or ethnic origin, citizenship status, age, disability, veteran status or any other legally protected class status in the administration of its admissions, financial aid, educational or athletic programs, or other University-administered programs or in its employment practices. Questions or complaints regarding this policy should be directed to the Executive Director of the Office of Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Programs, Sansom Place East, 3600 Chestnut Street, Suite 228, Philadelphia, PA 19104-6106; or (215) 898-6993 (Voice) or (215) 898-7803 (TDD).