Two Malayali scholars have been selected for the prestigious Raghunathan Fellowship and Bajaj Fellowship, among the four postdoctoral research fellowships offered annually by the Lakshmi Mittal and Family South Asia Institute at Harvard University, USA. Each fellowship is awarded to one recipient annually, with this year’s honours going to Dr Tresa Abraham from Mumbai and Dr Rose Sebastian from Ernakulam. Both scholars are also past recipients of the Charles Wallace Research Fellowship in the UK.

Exploring the history of taxidermy
The art of preserving and mounting animals, known as taxidermy, forms the focus of Dr Tresa Abraham’s research. She has been awarded the Raghunathan Family Fellowship to study the social and cultural history of taxidermy. Tresa, who is currently a Business Communication Fellow at NMIMS (Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies) in Mumbai, will join Harvard soon after resigning from her position.

Under the fellowship, she will receive a stipend of $50,855 per year (around ₹45 lakh).

Tresa is the daughter of P M Abraham and Nirmala Abraham of Panakkathottam, hailing from Karimba in Palakkad. She is married to Sibin Menacherry.

Studying science museums in post-Independence India
Dr Rose Sebastian has been awarded the Jamnalal Kaniram Bajaj Fellowship for her research on science museums in post-Independence India. Her stipend will be $22,534 per semester (around ₹20 lakh).

She will carry out her research through the Science, Technology, and Society (STS) programme at the Harvard Kennedy School, where she is also serving as an STS Fellow this year. Rose is an Assistant Professor at Bharathamatha College, Thrikkakara, Ernakulam.

She is the daughter of Sheela Devassy and T R Devassy of Thommana Veettil, Maramkodu, Chalakudy, and is married to filmmaker Christo Tomy.

The Lakshmi Mittal South Asia Institute
Operating under Harvard’s Faculty of Arts and Sciences, the Mittal Institute focuses on interdisciplinary studies of South Asia. Apart from the Raghunathan and Bajaj Fellowships, Indian candidates can apply for the Climate Fellowship and the Visiting Artist Fellowship.

Applicants who have completed a PhD within the past five years are eligible for up to two semesters of funding, while those who completed their PhD earlier can apply for a one-semester fellowship.

A strong proposal statement is key to selection, detailing research objectives, reasons for choosing Harvard, expected outcomes, and methodology. Applications must also include a CV, letters of recommendation, and published work samples.

Applications for the 2026–27 academic year are open until December 8. More details are available at: https://mittalsouthasianinstitute.harvard.edu/fellowships.

Why Harvard?
Harvard offers access to world-class libraries, research supervision by leading scholars, and opportunities to engage with global experts. Fellows can also present papers at university conferences and enrol in relevant courses.

For instance, Rose Sebasian is currently attending an advanced course on Science, Power, and Politics, directly connected to her research theme.