Indian Institute of Technology Madras – Deakin University Research Academy

Together, we’ll work on leading-edge, cross-disciplinary research challenges that will make a difference in India, Australia and the global community. Our aim is to produce a talented pool of postgraduate research scholars from South Asia and Australia.

When you study a PhD with the IIT Madras – Deakin University Research Academy, you’ll help to drive forward the socio-economic prosperity of India and Australia at an international level. You’ll be part of cutting-edge research tackling global challenges from climate change, smart manufacturing, energy to future infrastructure and critical technology.

Study a jointly supervised PhD in Australia and India

The IIT Madras – Deakin University Research Academy offers jointly supervised PhD programs (Cotutelle PhD) that are jointly awarded from Deakin University and IIT Madras. You’ll have the opportunity to combine travel and research, plus you’ll have access to supervision, facilities, resources and funding opportunities from both institutions. Upon completion, you’ll receive a unique testamur issued by two world-leading universities. Thirty jointly supervised PhD opportunities were offered in 2024. Further places are being offered in 2025.

The research academy welcomes students from across the globe. You’ll start your research at your home institution and undertake a residency at the host institution, usually in the second year of study. Application criteria:

• If you hold an Indian passport, you will start your project at IITM, and complete a year of your study at Deakin University in Melbourne, Australia.
• If you are an Australian citizen, you will commence at Deakin, and complete a year at IITM in Chennai, India.
• If you hold citizenship from a country other than India or Australia, you can choose your home institution.

For students studying predominantly in Australia, see Deakin’s entry requirements. For students studying predominantly in India, see IITM’s eligibility criteria. Students with an Indian passport should apply directly via IITM.

IIT Madras and Deakin enjoy a productive research partnership centred on materials science and engineering research. Deakin’s Institute for Frontier Materials and IIT Madras’ Department of Metallurgical and Materials Engineering began collaborating in 2012 with faculty and student exchanges, and co-supervised research scholars.

In 2018, IIT Madras and Deakin were jointly awarded a prestigious Australia–India Strategic Research Fund grant, enabling India’s first bilateral Centre of Excellence in Advanced Materials to be established.

The two institutions also partnered in 2022 to launch the Australia–India Centre for Energy, a virtual centre promoting collaboration in transdisciplinary research, education and training.