Deadline: On a rolling basis
The Northeast India AI Research Fellowship 2026 invites applications from students and early-career researchers passionate about Artificial Intelligence (AI), Natural Language Processing (NLP), and language technology, with a focus on the rich linguistic diversity of Northeast India. This prestigious fellowship offers a unique opportunity to contribute to research in low-resource language technologies while collaborating with experts in the field.
About the Northeast India AI Research Fellowship 2026
The Northeast India AI Research Fellowship 2026 is a competitive 8–12-week remote research program designed to advance AI and language technology for underrepresented languages spoken across the Northeast region of India. The program focuses on developing tools, datasets, and models that support linguistic preservation, inclusivity, and innovation.
Fellows will work closely with the MWire Labs Research Team, gaining mentorship and hands-on experience in cutting-edge AI and NLP projects. The initiative emphasizes open-source collaboration, cultural relevance, and scientific excellence.
Focus Areas
Participants in the fellowship will engage in research across several domains related to AI and language technology, including:
- Language Modeling and Multilingual Natural Language Processing (NLP) for Northeast Indian languages
- Dataset Creation (text, speech, and multimodal resources)
- Translation Systems and Cross-lingual Model Development
- Speech Recognition and Synthesis
- Development of Evaluation Benchmarks for low-resource languages
Languages of focus include, but are not limited to, Khasi, Garo, Adi, Ao, Kokborok, Meitei, Assamese, and other languages of the region.
Eligibility Criteria
The fellowship welcomes applications from individuals with a passion for AI and language preservation. Ideal candidates include:
- Undergraduate or Graduate Students in computer science, artificial intelligence, data science, linguistics, or related disciplines
- Native or Heritage Speakers of Northeast Indian languages (strongly encouraged to apply)
- Applicants from any location, with special consideration for individuals from Northeast India or the diaspora
- Individuals with experience in machine learning, NLP, or data science (beneficial but not mandatory)
- Passionate learners eager to contribute to language technology and cultural preservation
Benefits of the Fellowship
Selected fellows will enjoy an enriching and practical research experience, including:
- Hands-on AI and NLP Research Experience under the mentorship of MWire Labs researchers
- Opportunities for co-authorship on academic papers, technical reports, and open-source projects
- Professional mentorship from leading AI and language technology experts
- A Certificate of Completion recognizing the fellowship achievements
- Potential letters of recommendation for academic or professional advancement
- A public portfolio of contributions featured on platforms such as GitHub, Hugging Face, or in academic publications
Application Process
Interested applicants are required to prepare and submit:
- A Statement of Purpose (SOP) explaining their motivation for joining the fellowship and the specific language or problem area they wish to explore
- A CV/Resume highlighting academic background, relevant experience, and technical skills
- (Optional) Links to code repositories, research projects, or prior work in AI/NLP
The selection process emphasizes clarity of motivation, language focus, and demonstrated interest in AI for social impact.
Programme Duration and Mode
- Duration: 8–12 weeks
- Mode: Fully Remote
This flexible format allows participation from anywhere while ensuring regular mentorship sessions and collaborative project meetings.
Application Deadline
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. Early applications are encouraged due to limited fellowship slots.
How to Apply
Eligible candidates can submit their applications through the official fellowship portal.
👉 Click here to apply
To explore more details about the fellowship, focus areas, and eligibility requirements,
👉 Read more about the programme here
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