Chanakya Technology Translation Fellowship: Turn Deep Tech into Real-World Impact

The Chanakya Technology Translation Fellowship IIT Indore is a focused program designed to help researchers move cutting-edge ideas from the lab to the marketplace. Hosted by the IITI DRISHTI CPS Foundation at IIT Indore, this fellowship supports innovators working in cyber-physical systems, digital twin technologies, and Industry 4.0 applications.

For Indian researchers who want to build products, file patents, and collaborate with industry, the fellowship offers structured financial and technical support. It provides not only a competitive monthly fellowship but also access to a dedicated technology innovation hub, mentors, and commercialization pathways.

In this guide, you will learn what the Chanakya Technology Translation Fellowship is, why it matters, who can apply, what funding it offers, and how to prepare a strong application.

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Why the Chanakya Technology Translation Fellowship Matters

The Chanakya fellowship ecosystem was created to accelerate technology translation in cyber-physical systems (CPS). It aims to convert high-quality research into deployable products and startups that address real problems faced by industry, government, and society.

IITI DRISHTI CPS Foundation is a Technology Innovation Hub under the National Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber Physical Systems (NM-ICPS), supported by the Department of Science and Technology. It focuses on digital twin solutions, advanced automation, and data-driven systems.

The Chanakya Technology Translation Fellowship stands out because:

• • It is explicitly designed for market-oriented R&D, not only for academic publications.
  • It encourages patenting, licensing, startup formation, and industry partnerships.
  • It aligns with national priorities in healthcare, smart manufacturing, and industrial CPS solutions.

For early-career researchers who want to stay in India while working at global standards, this fellowship offers a rare blend of stability and entrepreneurial freedom.

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Eligibility / Who This Is For

While the dedicated technology translation page is still evolving, current announcements and Chanakya rules indicate that this fellowship mainly targets PhD-level researchers and postdoctoral professionals who want to commercialize CPS-based technologies.

In general, a strong applicant will:

• • Hold a PhD (or be in the final stages) in a relevant area such as CPS, digital twin, AI, IoT, automation, or data analytics.
  • Have a clear technology prototype or concept that can be translated into a product, solution, or startup.
  • Show evidence of prior research output through publications, patents, or industrial collaborations.
  • Be ready to work full-time at IITI DRISHTI CPS Foundation, IIT Indore, for the fellowship duration.

Because the program focuses on technology translation, it is particularly suitable for:

• • Postdoctoral researchers who want to move beyond pure academic research.
  • Industry R&D professionals seeking a structured environment
    to refine IP and prototypes.
  • Startup-minded scientists who need time and support before incorporation.

Applicants should always confirm the latest eligibility conditions on the official fellowship page and related call documents, as details may change between cycles.

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Key Features, Funding, and Support

Recent public communication from IITI DRISHTI CPS Foundation highlights a Chanakya Technology Translation Fellowship that offers up to ₹1,25,000 per month (consolidated) for selected fellows. This amount is competitive with top postdoctoral schemes in India and reflects the program’s expectation of strong, outcome-oriented work.

Based on Chanakya fellowship documentation and related postdoctoral calls, fellows can typically expect:

• • Tenure: Usually 1 year initially, with the possibility of extension up to 2 years, depending on performance and commercialization progress.
  • Work Location: IITI DRISHTI CPS Foundation, IIT Indore, within a dedicated tech-translation and research park.
  • Focus Areas:
    • Digital twins for healthcare and industrial systems.
    • Industry 4.0 and smart manufacturing solutions.
    • CPS-based automation, advanced sensing, and analytics.
  • Expected Outputs:
    • Advancement of product readiness levels.
    • Patent filings and IP generation.
    • Licensing opportunities or startup creation aligned with DRISHTI CPS incubation schemes.

In

addition, fellows gain access to:

• • High-end labs and testbeds in CPS and digital twin technologies.
  • A network of industry partners, clinicians, and technology adopters.
  • Training and mentoring for business planning, IP strategy, and regulatory pathways.

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Step-by-Step: How to Apply

Exact application procedures may vary with each call. However, fellowship calls from DRISHTI CPS usually follow a clear process.

1. Monitor the Official Fellowship Page

First, regularly check the Chanakya Technology Translation Fellowship section under the “Technology Development” initiatives on the DRISHTI CPS website:
drishticps.iiti.ac.in

Additionally, follow the Foundation’s LinkedIn announcements for newly opened calls and deadlines.

2. Study the Call Document Carefully

Secondly, download the latest call brochure or PDF, which outlines:

• • Eligibility details.
  • Thematic areas and problem statements.
  • Evaluation criteria and timelines.

You should map your proposal directly to these expectations.

3. Prepare a Focused Technology Translation Proposal

Your proposal should clearly explain:

• • The problem and its relevance to healthcare, industry, or public systems.
  • Your current technology readiness level (TRL) and validation status.
  • The translation pathway: prototyping, pilots, regulatory steps, and commercialization routes.

Include milestones for each year, with realistic deliverables such as

prototypes, trials, or IP filings.

4. Assemble Supporting Documents

Typically, you will need:

• • Detailed CV with publications, patents, and prior projects.
  • A 2–4 page research and translation plan.
  • Names and contact details of referees.
  • Evidence of previous funding, industry collaboration, or prototype development, if available.

You should always verify the exact document list in the current call.

5. Submit Online and Track Communication

Finally, submit your application through the indicated portal or email address. Some Chanakya calls use dedicated online forms, while others use institutional systems.

Shortlisted candidates usually face an online or in-person presentation and interaction round, where they must justify technical feasibility, market need, and execution capacity.

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Tips, Common Mistakes, and Expert Advice

Because the Chanakya Technology Translation Fellowship IIT Indore is highly competitive, careful preparation matters.

Practical tips:

• • Anchor your idea in end-user needs. For example, frame a digital twin project around specific hospital workflows or manufacturing lines, not abstract simulations. Demonstrate prior traction. Even a small pilot, prototype, or PoC can significantly strengthen your proposal.
  • Clarify IP ownership and commercial strategy. Indicate how patents, licenses, and revenue sharing may be structured within IITI DRISHTI CPS policies.

Common mistakes to avoid:

• • Submitting a purely academic research proposal with no clear translation pathway.
  • Ignoring industry partners or potential adopters in your plan.
  • Underestimating regulatory, data security, or integration challenges.

You can also benchmark your application against other Chanakya schemes (UG, PG, PhD, postdoctoral, and chair professorships) to understand the program’s overall expectations on innovation and impact.

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Conclusion / Final Thoughts

The Chanakya Technology Translation Fellowship is an important opportunity for researchers who want to build real-world solutions from their CPS work. It brings together generous funding, a strong innovation ecosystem, and access to national-level partners at IIT Indore.

For Indian and India-focused researchers, this fellowship can serve as a bridge between conventional academic careers and deep-tech entrepreneurship. It encourages you to convert ideas into prototypes, patents, and deployable products.

You should begin by mapping your technology to the priority areas of digital twin, Industry 4.0, and related CPS verticals. Then you can develop a focused translation plan, gather supporting evidence, and align your proposal with DRISHTI CPS strategic goals.

If you are serious about innovation-led impact, now is a strong time to start preparing. Visit the official DRISHTI CPS website, watch for the next call, and refine your proposal with guidance from mentors and industry partners.

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Summary Table

Feature	Details
Program	Chanakya Technology Translation Fellowship
Host	India
Funded	IITI DRISHTI CPS Foundation, IIT Indore, under NM-ICPS
Duration	Typically 1 year, extendable up to 2 years (subject to performance and call conditions
Mode	Full-time, in-person at IITI DRISHTI CPS Foundation, IIT Indore
Eligibility	Primarily PhD-qualified or equivalent early-career researchers in CPS-related domains, focused on technology commercialization
Financial	Up to ₹1,25,000 per month (consolidated fellowship), plus access to labs and innovation support
Fields	Cyber-Physical Systems, Digital Twin for Healthcare and Industry 4.0, Automation, AI/IoT, Data-driven systems
Deadline	Varies by call; applicants should monitor official announcements and DRISHTI CPS news pages
Official	DRISHTI IITI Technology-translation-fellowships

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