LUCKNOW, 26th November 2025: Indian Institute of Management Lucknow has announced the launch of 99 Moonshots, a 1999 Batch Fellowship grant aimed to enhance research productivity among doctoral scholars. Funded by the Institute’s Post-Graduate Program (PGP) Class of 1999, the fellowship will support IIM Lucknow’s long-term vision of elevating its academic and research standing.
Welcoming the initiative, Prof. M.P. Gupta, Director, IIM Lucknow, said, “I feel an immense pride in announcing the IIM Lucknow 1999 Batch Fellowship for PhD students, a meaningful initiative that reflects our alumni’s enduring commitment to advancing research excellence. Recognising Ms. Ayushi Singh and Mr. Satish Kumar as the first recipients sets a strong precedent for nurturing impactful scholarship. This fellowship will empower our doctoral community to pursue rigorous inquiry and contribute solutions that shape academia, industry, and society. I am extremely grateful to the 1999 Batch for this support.”
Recognising the initiative taken by PGP Class of 1999, Prof. Sanjay Singh, Dean (Programme), IIM Lucknow, said, “I hereby extend my heartfelt gratitude to the Class of 1999 for their generous contribution in establishing this fellowship for our PhD students. Their commitment to nurturing future scholars reflects the true spirit of the IIM Lucknow alumni community. I warmly congratulate the first fellowship awardees for their outstanding academic promise. This support will undoubtedly inspire them to pursue impactful research and uphold the highest standards of scholarship.”
Speaking about the fellowship, Mr. Ashish Bhagare, Alumnus, Batch of 1999, IIM Lucknow, said, “With an aim to elevate our alma mater’s global rankings by strengthening the research output, this fellowship is our way of supporting this goal. We are proud to sponsor two PhD scholars this year and hope to support many more in the future. I sincerely thank all the students who submitted their proposals this year, IIM Lucknow’s administration for their support, and my batchmates who have made this possible.”
Motivated to support their alma mater, the 1999 batch proposed this fellowship to strengthen high-quality research output at the Institute. Designed to empower promising doctoral scholars, the fellowship will provide advanced academic support, publication incentives, and conference participation opportunities.
The fellowship selection process required the applicants to pitch their research proposal to a designated selection committee where the proposals were evaluated on pre-defined criteria. After a rigorous selection process two PhD scholars were recommended for the grant:
1. Ms. Ayushi Singh (PhD 23028) – Operations & Supply Chain Management
2. Mr. Satish Kumar (PhD 23033) – Strategic Management
In addition to covering the fellowship, the grant will also include:
1. A publication award of Rs. 1 Lakh for research published or accepted in top-tier (Category A and above) journals;
2. A conference grant of Rs. 3 Lakh to enable scholars to present at leading international conferences; and
3. Academic support, including contingency and data-collection grants, in line with the PhD Programme Manual
Speaking about the fellowship, Prof. Pushpendra Priyadarshi, Chairperson, Doctoral Program in Management, IIM Lucknow, said, “Through this unique initiative, our alumni have kept the PhD programme front and centre in their bit to reinforce IIM Lucknow’s commitment to cutting-edge management research. Their involvement and commitment to this initiative have been admirable and I am very happy to find them impressed with the research ideas shared by our students. I look forward to more alumni joining this initiative, engaging, and strengthening the programme.”
To ensure sustained academic progress, the awardees will present their research updates every six months to a monitoring committee comprising their Thesis Advisory Committee (TAC) and a representative from the 1999 batch.
Speaking about receiving the fellowship, Ms. Ayushi Singh, said, “Receiving this grant is truly motivating, and I am thankful to the PGP 1999 batch for their thoughtful support. It feels wonderful to be acknowledged. IIM Lucknow is very encouraging toward its scholars, and this award strengthens my motivation to keep striving for meaningful, high-quality research.”
Speaking about the encouragement the fellowship has given him, Mr. Satish Kumar said, “Receiving the fellowship has reinforced my motivation to work on my research with greater sincerity. I sincerely thank my mentors, the advisory committee, and the PGP batch of 1999 for this initiative.”
The fellowship marks a significant milestone in IIM Lucknow’s tradition of advancing research, innovation, and impactful scholarship. IIM Lucknow expresses its deep appreciation to the PGP batch of 1999 for their support and continued engagement with the IIML community.
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