About the Program

The CAPABLE program aims to enhance research capacity at the undergraduate and post graduate levels and strengthen the bridge between academia and industry in the UK and India. By providing micro-research grants and an extensive training program, we seek to prepare students for advanced research roles and sustainable practices within the built environment.
A two-year-long research program titled 'Capacity Building in Built Environment Sustainability Research (CAPABLE)' funded by the UK- India Education and Research Initiative (UKIERI)- under Call 4 and Strand 3 and Scheme for Promoting Academic and Research Collaborations (SPARC) - Call 3 is proposed collaboratively by IIT Bombay, Mumbai, Liverpool John Moores University, UK, and Dr. B. N. College of Architecture, Pune as academic partners, and Pune Construction Engineering Research Foundation (PCERF), Pune as industry partner between April 2024 and March 2026. The program aims to develop a program to involve young researchers through micro-research grants for undergraduate and master students. Indian and UK Institutions jointly designed a joint proposal tailored to the needs and interests of students and industry. A cohort of 20 undergraduate/postgraduate students from disciplines related to Sustainability with equal student representation from India and the UK will be selected for the research program. The partnering institutes will run an 8-month joint training program, including up to 2 months of face-to-face, hands-on training hosted at and by the partner institute. At the end of the program, a joint dissemination conference will be held in India. This program aims to develop a pipeline of research capacity-building programs at the undergraduate and postgraduate level, and strengthen UK-India industry-academia engagement. It also seeks to provide pathways to a career in research.

Program Details

Duration

April 2024 - March 2026

Training Program

Participants will undergo an 8-month hybrid training program in Research Methodology and Circularity in the Built Environment, which includes 6 months of online coursework and 2 months of intensive, face-to-face training split between the UK (5 weeks) and India (3 weeks).

Research Focus

Students will engage in year-long research under expert guidance, focusing on innovative solutions for circularity in the built environment. This hands-on research experience is designed to culminate in a research paper, to be presented at an international conference and published in a refereed journal.

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must be currently enrolled as an undergraduate and postgraduate student within the relevant disciplines in the UK or India for the academic year 2024-25.
In addition, a valid passport through March 2025 is required.

Requirements

Commitment to complete the 8-month training program and the subsequent research. Also, availability to travel for the face-to-face training segments.

How to Apply

Applications must include: Completed application form.
Current curriculum vitae.
Support letter from your current academic advisor or department head.
Submit your application through the designated email address or portal by 1st May 2024.
Ensure all documents are included to avoid delays in the processing of your application.