The Young Researcher Fellowship programme at Digital University Foundation is designed to recognize and support researchers at an early stage of their scholarly careers through structured professional development, mentorship, research engagement, and international academic networking — emphasizing research potential, integrity, and development rather than recognition based solely on publication counts.

Eligibility

Eligibility is primarily defined by career stage rather than age — postgraduate research students, doctoral researchers, postdoctoral and other early-career researchers, normally within a specified period (approximately the first five years) following their highest relevant research degree, with appropriate consideration of career interruptions such as parental leave, illness, or public service.

Fellowship Activities

Academic or professional mentorship, research-development guidance, research integrity and scholarly communication training, seminars, collaborative research opportunities, conference or presentation opportunities, and recognition as a DUF Fellow for the defined fellowship period.

Financial Support

Financial support is not automatically attached to the title of DUF Fellow. Each fellowship call states explicitly whether it is funded (with value, conditions, and duration specified) or non-funded (mentorship, recognition, and training without a stipend). DUF should never advertise a fellowship as funded unless the relevant funding has been formally committed.

Fellowship Status

A DUF Fellowship is a research-development and recognition programme. It does not constitute an academic degree, employment appointment, professional licence, or academic rank unless a particular programme explicitly and lawfully establishes such a relationship.