The London School of Economics and Political Science is now accepting applications for the prestigious Subir Chowdhury Postdoctoral Fellowship on Quality and Economics for the 2026/27 academic year. Hosted by the LSE India Observatory, this international research fellowship provides early-career scholars with the opportunity to conduct advanced research focused on the relationship between quality, human behaviour, and economic development in Asian countries, especially India and Bangladesh.

The fellowship is designed for postdoctoral researchers in the social sciences who are passionate about producing impactful academic research while engaging with one of the world’s leading institutions for economics, politics, and global development studies.

About the Subir Chowdhury Postdoctoral Fellowship

Established in 2010 at the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE), the Subir Chowdhury Postdoctoral Fellowship on Quality and Economics was created to support innovative research examining how people quality, governance, institutions, and behaviour influence economic systems and development outcomes.

The fellowship is supported by the Subir and Malini Chowdhury Foundation and is administered through the LSE India Observatory under the International Inequalities Institute.

The programme focuses particularly on:

Economic development in India and Bangladesh
Quality and governance systems
Labour markets and employment
Financial systems and banking
Environmental governance
Public health and socio-economic issues
Technology and industrial transformation
Human capital development
Sustainability and development policy

Researchers selected for the fellowship will spend three months at LSE conducting research while engaging with the academic community of the India Observatory.

Fellowship Benefits

Selected fellows will receive several academic and financial benefits throughout the fellowship duration.

Financial Support

Fellows will receive:

A monthly subsistence allowance of up to £1,750
Support toward travel and related expenses
Shared workspace at LSE
Access to LSE research facilities and academic resources

Please note:

No additional funding is available for fieldwork or external research costs
Applicants are expected to secure all required research data before arriving at LSE

Research Focus Areas

The fellowship supports research exploring the impact of people quality and behaviour on economic systems and development outcomes across Asian nations.

Priority research regions include:

India
Bangladesh

However, studies connected to broader Asian economies may also be considered.

Potential research themes include:

Governance quality and institutional performance
Labour market dynamics
Financial inclusion and banking systems
Environmental governance and sustainability
Industrial transformation
Public policy and economic reforms
Technology adoption and productivity
Human development and economic growth
Social inequalities and development economics

Expectations for Fellows

Successful candidates will be expected to:

Conduct independent research during the fellowship period
Produce a publishable-quality research paper
Present their findings at a seminar hosted by the India Observatory
Participate in academic discussions and research activities at LSE

This fellowship offers a valuable opportunity for researchers to collaborate with experts, strengthen academic networks, and enhance the visibility of their work globally.

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must meet the following requirements:

Academic Requirements

Applicants should:

Be early-career postdoctoral researchers
Hold a completed PhD degree
Work in the social sciences or related disciplines
Conduct research related to quality and economics in Asian nations

Employment Requirements

Applicants must:

Be in permanent employment with an established institution

Research Focus

Research should examine:

The relationship between people quality, institutions, behaviour, and economic systems
Issues connected to India and/or Bangladesh

Additional Notes

The fellowship is not open to current PhD students
Senior academics are not the target group for this programme
Scholars from all nationalities and ethnic backgrounds are encouraged to apply

Fellowship Duration

The fellowship will run for:

Three months during the academic year

The selected fellow will be based at LSE during the fellowship period.

Previous Fellowship Research Topics

Over the years, fellows have explored diverse and impactful topics including:

Energy poverty and quality of life in India
Environmental governance and market systems
Trade liberalisation and innovation
Banking sector governance
Digital technologies and labour markets
Agricultural development in India and Bangladesh
Urban development and population resettlement
Farmers’ suicides and socio-economic concerns

These research projects demonstrate the fellowship’s strong interdisciplinary approach to understanding development and economic transformation.

How to Apply

Applicants must submit their applications online through the official application form.

Application link:

APPLY HERE

Application Deadline

The deadline to apply for the Subir Chowdhury Postdoctoral Fellowship 2026/27 is:

30 June 2026

Applicants are encouraged to prepare their research materials and submit early.

Why You Should Apply

This fellowship provides a unique opportunity for emerging researchers to:

Conduct research at one of the world’s leading universities
Build international academic collaborations
Access world-class research facilities
Gain visibility for their research
Publish high-quality academic work
Contribute to critical debates on economic development and quality systems in Asia

For scholars interested in development economics, governance, labor systems, sustainability, and policy research, this fellowship offers an exceptional academic platform.

For more information about the fellowship and the India Observatory visit here

Discover more fellowship opportunities on OFY on here