New Delhi: The Indian Institute of Technology Delhi (IIT Delhi) has launched the Deepak Raghavan Family Foundation Accelerator Program, a strategic initiative designed to strengthen the Institute’s research ecosystem by supporting high-potential young faculty members. The programme is facilitated by the IIT Delhi Endowment Management Foundation and has been instituted by eminent alumnus Dr. Deepak Raghavan, founder of the Deepak Raghavan Family Foundation and co-founder of Manhattan Associates.
A key feature of the initiative is a five-year Endowed Chair Professorship for faculty members aged 45 years and below. The Chair is supported through a dedicated research fund, access to research staff, and institutional resources, enabling the selected faculty member to build a strong, independent research programme while contributing to teaching and academic leadership at IIT Delhi.
The Accelerator Program provides a flexible research grant, which can be utilized for acquiring equipment and software, conducting experiments and fieldwork, developing prototypes, and hiring postdoctoral fellows and research staff. The initiative also promotes collaboration with industry and external institutions, encouraging the translation of research outcomes into real-world applications, patents, and emerging technologies.
In addition, the programme includes a fully funded PhD fellowship once every five years, allowing a doctoral scholar to work closely with the Endowed Chair Professor. The fellowship supports participation in national and international conferences, offering young researchers valuable global exposure.
Commenting on the launch, Prof. Rangan Banerjee, Director, IIT Delhi, said that IIT Delhi is home to some of the finest academic and research talent in the country. He added that initiatives like the Accelerator Program enable faculty members to elevate their research and help ensure India’s competitiveness in global research and innovation.
Through this initiative, IIT Delhi reaffirms its commitment to nurturing academic leadership, advancing high-impact research, and addressing real-world challenges through sustained institutional and philanthropic support. The programme reflects the shared vision of Dr. Deepak Raghavan and the IIT Delhi Endowment Management Foundation, which works to mobilize long-term philanthropic capital to strengthen excellence in education, research, and innovation at IIT Delhi.
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