IITB-Monash Research Academy
IITB-Monash Research Academy is a not-for-profit joint venture between IIT Bombay and Monash University that operates a highly selective joint PhD program awarding dual degrees, with roughly 50 annual seats drawn from 4,000 applicants and research conducted across eight themes for industry and government partners.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2008
- HeadquartersMumbai, India
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingServices
What IITB-Monash Research Academy does
The IITB-Monash Research Academy is a not-for-profit, Section 8 autonomous entity established in 2008 as a joint venture between the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IIT Bombay) and Monash University in Australia. It is governed by an Honorary Board of Directors with equal representation from both institutions and an Advisory Council chaired by Dr. Ramesh Mashelkar, former Director-General of CSIR India. The Academy's primary product is a joint PhD program that awards degrees co-badged by IIT Bombay and Monash University, with students spending approximately three years in India and at least one year at Monash's Australian campus. Admissions are highly selective, drawing up to 4,000 applications annually for roughly 50 seats across two intakes (January and July), with successful applicants receiving scholarships of Rs 4.92L-5.52L per annum.
The Academy conducts multi-disciplinary research across eight named themes: Artificial Intelligence & Advanced Computational Modelling, Clean Energy, Health Sciences, Smart Materials, Sustainable Societies & Management, Circular Economy, Infrastructure Engineering, and Design. Its research infrastructure is purpose-built on the IIT Bombay Powai campus in Mumbai and includes a Bio Lab, Wet Chemistry Lab, Materials Characterization Lab, Earth Science Lab, and a Cisco Tele-presence room for cross-continental collaboration. To date, the Academy has supported close to 200 active PhD students, approximately 400 researchers, and over 400 research projects, with alumni employed at Amazon Lab 126, CSIRO, the Tata Group, and within IIT Bombay faculty positions.
The business model is built on three revenue streams: industry-sponsored PhD students, collaborative R&D contracts, and government grants (including a strategic partnership with India's Department of Biotechnology). Industry partners include BHP, Reliance Industries, TCS, Orica, CSIRO, Thermax, Piramal, Intel, P&G, Infosys, BASF, Emerson, SABIC, and Tata Chemicals, engaged through formal research partnership agreements. The Academy maintains Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) compliance to receive Australian-sourced funding, and a small operations team led by CEO M.S. Unnikrishnan (former Thermax MD/CEO) administers the program. Marketing is conducted through the official website, social media, annual events, and a dedicated business development function, with research partner and prospective student outreach as the primary go-to-market motions.
IITB-Monash Research Academy firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- IITB-Monash Research Academy
- Legal name
- IITB-Monash Research Academy
- Website
- https://iitbmonash.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2008
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- IITB-Monash Research Academy is a not-for-profit joint venture between IIT Bombay and Monash University that operates a highly selective joint PhD program awarding dual degrees, with roughly 50 annual seats drawn from 4,000 applicants and research conducted across eight themes for industry and government partners.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
IITB-Monash Research Academy industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Higher Education Research
- NAICS
- Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (54171), Research and Development in Biotechnology (except Nanobiotechnology) (541714)
- SIC
- Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Comprehensive Doctoral Research Universities (Multi-Disciplinary) (EDAHABAA)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- STEM-Focused Research Universities (Engineering & Applied Sciences) (EDAHABAB), Technical Universities with Specialized Engineering Domains (EDAHAEAI)
Keywords
Where IITB-Monash Research Academy is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Mumbai
- HQ country
- India
- HQ region
- Asia
Offices2 records
Markets served
IITB-Monash Research Academy business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Others
Revenue model
- PhD Program Operations: The Academy operates as a not-for-profit, Section 8, autonomous entity managing a joint PhD program. Revenue is generated through industry partnerships, government funding, and sponsored research projects. Students receive scholarships funded by the program.
- Industry Research Partnerships: Long-term engagement with industry through collaborative research contracts, contract/sub-contract R&D, and sponsored PhD student programs. Industry partners gain access to research outcomes, IP exclusivity, and talent pipeline.
- Sponsored Research: Provisions for sponsored PhD students, collaborative research, joint ventures, outsourced research and development, and research training on a cohort exchange or contract basis.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | Scholarship - First Two Years |
| Subscription | Annual | Scholarship - After First Two Years |
| Other | Annual | Australia Research Grant |
| Other | Multi-year contract | Tuition Fee Waiver |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels7 records
IITB-Monash Research Academy product offering
Product offeringCore offering
The IITB-Monash Research Academy is a not-for-profit joint venture between IIT Bombay and Monash University that operates a joint PhD program awarding dual-badged doctoral degrees. Students spend approximately three years in India and one year in Australia, conducting multi-disciplinary research across eight thematic areas including AI & Advanced Computational Modelling, Clean Energy, Health Sciences, Smart Materials, Sustainable Societies, Circular Economy, Infrastructure Engineering, and Design. The Academy also delivers sponsored collaborative research, contract R&D, and laboratory infrastructure access to industry and government partners.
Product overview
The IITB-Monash Research Academy operates a joint PhD program as its primary offering, established in 2008 as a collaboration between IIT Bombay and Monash University. Students receive a dual-badged PhD degree and engage in multi-disciplinary research across eight thematic areas: Artificial Intelligence & Advanced Computational Modelling, Clean Energy, Health Sciences, Smart Materials, Sustainable Societies & Management, Circular Economy, Infrastructure Engineering, and Design. The Academy provides a purpose-built facility on the IIT Bombay campus with world-class laboratories and meeting infrastructure, and manages admissions through its AFORS online portal. Research is conducted with joint supervision and strong industry and government engagement.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Joint PhD Program A jointly supervised doctoral program operated by IIT Bombay and Monash University, enabling students to spend approximately 3 years in India and 1 year in Australia, culminating in a dual-badged PhD degree from both institutions. Targets graduate students from India's premier engineering and science institutions.
- Industry Collaborative Research and Sponsored PhD Programs Long-term engagement offering for corporations and governments seeking collaborative research contracts, contract/sub-contract R&D, sponsored PhD students, joint ventures, outsourced R&D, and research training on a cohort exchange or contract basis. Industry partners gain access to research outcomes, IP exclusivity, and a talent pipeline.
- Academy Infrastructure and Laboratory Facilities Purpose-built facility on the IIT Bombay campus in Powai, Mumbai, featuring a Cisco Tele-presence room, video-conference rooms, seminar rooms, laboratories (Bio Lab, Wet Chemistry Lab, Materials Characterization Lab, Earth Science Lab), and an Atrium event space. Made available to researchers and industry partners.
- AFORS Online Application Portal The Academy's online recruitment portal (AFORS) that manages the full PhD application process from Expression of Interest submission through Form A upload, supervisor approvals, and candidate selection. Hosts two annual intakes per year.
Quantifiable outcome
- Close to 200 PhD students, 400 researchers, 400+ research projects to date
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use IITB-Monash Research Academy
Customer profileNamed customers10 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
IITB-Monash Research Academy technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature5 records
IITB-Monash Research Academy partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
22 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.
- Monash UniversitycoreFounding institutional partner in the joint PhD program. Monash University is Australia's largest university, ranked in world's top one percent by Times Higher Education. Provides co-supervision, research facilities, and jointly awards PhD degrees.
- Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IIT Bombay)coreFounding institutional partner. IIT Bombay is one of India's elite engineering institutes. Provides co-supervision, research facilities on campus, and jointly awards PhD degrees.
- BHP BillitoncoreWorld's largest diversified resources company. Engaged in collaborative research on mineral resources, energy, and sustainability topics through the Academy's research programs.
- Reliance IndustriescoreIndia's largest private sector enterprise and Fortune Global 500 company. Active partner in research collaboration spanning energy, materials, and petrochemicals.
- Tata Consultancy Services (TCS)majorIndian multinational IT services and consulting company. Engaged in research collaborations in technology and information systems areas.
- Orica Mining ServicescoreWorld's leading supplier of commercial explosives. Research collaboration in mining technology and sustainable development.
- CSIROcoreCommonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization - Australia's national science agency. Collaboration in areas including agribusiness, energy, environment, and health.
- Department of Biotechnology, Government of IndiacoreStrategic partnership to develop health sciences research capability, biotechnology, and biomedical device research.
- Infosys Technologies Ltd.majorGlobal IT services and consulting company. Research collaboration in technology and innovation areas.
- ThermaxmajorUSD One billion engineering major providing energy and environment solutions in over 75 countries. Research collaboration in clean energy and environmental technologies.
- Piramal Enterprises LimitedmajorOne of India's largest diversified companies with presence in pharmaceuticals and life sciences. Research collaboration in health sciences and biotechnology.
- Procter & Gamble CompanymajorServes approximately 4.6 billion people with portfolio of more than 300 brands. Innovation partner in the Academy's innovation hub.
- Intel CorporationmajorWorld's largest semiconductor chip manufacturer. Technology collaboration partner in the Academy's associate partner network.
- JSW FoundationminorSocial development initiatives on behalf of JSW Group of companies. Engaged in CSR-related research collaborations.
- EmersonmajorGlobal technology and engineering company. Partnership announced for collaborative research in automation and control systems.
- BASFmajorGlobal chemical company. High-level delegation visits to the Academy for research collaboration discussions.
- Forbes MarshallminorIndustrial instrumentation and controls company. Research partner in industrial technology and process optimization.
- Tata ChemicalsmajorPart of Tata Group engaged in chemicals and sustainable solutions. Innovation partner with dedicated research programs.
- SABICmajorGlobal diversified chemicals company. Research collaboration in materials science and chemical engineering.
- CognizantminorGlobal IT services company. Technology collaboration partner.
- WoodsidemajorAustralian energy company. Research collaboration in energy and sustainability areas.
- Coromandel InternationalminorIndian agrochemicals and fertilizers company. Innovation hub partner for agricultural technology research.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights6 records
IITB-Monash Research Academy competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Duke Kunshan University: Joint venture between Duke University and Wuhan University offering graduate programs with cross-border faculty supervision and industry-engaged research. Shares the cross-border joint-degree, industry-partnered research, and high-selectivity profile of IITB-Monash.
- NYU Shanghai: Joint NYU / East China Normal University / Shanghai government partnership delivering graduate degrees with international faculty and industry-sponsored research. Comparable cross-border, multi-stakeholder graduate-research model anchored by two top-tier universities and government support.
- ETH Zurich - IIT Madras Joint Doctoral Programme: Bilateral joint-PhD program between ETH Zurich and IIT Madras for students to spend time at both institutions. Direct comparability in offering an India-Swiss cross-border STEM doctoral degree with joint supervision, mirroring the IITB-Monash India-Australia model.
- Tsinghua-Berkeley Shenzhen Institute (TBSI): Joint Tsinghua University / UC Berkeley research and graduate school in Shenzhen offering dual-affiliated PhD programs. Closest analogue to IITB-Monash in offering a cross-border STEM doctoral degree jointly conferred by two top-tier research universities with industry-funded projects.
- Singapore-MIT Alliance for Research and Technology (SMART): Joint research venture between MIT and Singapore's NRF hosting cross-border multi-disciplinary PhD and postdoctoral researchers with industry sponsorship. Most structurally analogous international-university research academy to IITB-Monash, with a similar cross-continental, industry-funded doctoral model.
- MITACS: Canadian not-for-profit that funds and coordinates international research internships and graduate fellowships between universities and industry partners. Comparable in mission (bridging academia and industry through funded graduate research) and in operating multi-country doctoral/fellowship pipelines.
- Cornell Tech: Cornell University's cross-border graduate tech campus in New York City delivering industry-sponsored Masters and PhD programs in partnership with major technology firms (e.g., Bloomberg, Google). Comparable in its industry-funded graduate-research structure and STEM multi-disciplinary focus.
- Stanford-India Biodesign: Joint Stanford-University-of-Global-Health / IIT Delhi / AIIMS program funded by the Indian government's Department of Biotechnology. Operates a similar model of jointly-supervised doctoral / fellowship research with industry involvement and government partnership, and competes for the same India-facing STEM talent pool.
Others
- Indo-US Science and Technology Forum (IUSSTF): Governmental bilateral body funded by the Indian and US governments to promote joint S&T research and researcher mobility. Adjacent, enabling peer — facilitates the kind of cross-border STEM research partnerships that IITB-Monash has institutionalised with Australia.
- Oxford India Centre for Sustainable Development: University of Oxford platform supporting collaborative India-focused sustainable-development research with industry and government partners. Thematically aligned (multi-disciplinary global-challenges research) and structurally similar (cross-border, Oxford-anchored research collaboration with Indian partners).
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
IITB-Monash Research Academy social profiles
Digital presenceIITB-Monash Research Academy financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
IITB-Monash Research Academy leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles10 records
IITB-Monash Research Academy funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
IITB-Monash Research Academy M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about IITB-Monash Research Academy
What does IITB-Monash Research Academy do?
The IITB-Monash Research Academy is a not-for-profit joint venture between IIT Bombay and Monash University that operates a joint PhD program awarding dual-badged doctoral degrees. Students spend approximately three years in India and one year in Australia, conducting multi-disciplinary research across eight thematic areas including AI & Advanced Computational Modelling, Clean Energy, Health Sciences, Smart Materials, Sustainable Societies, Circular Economy, Infrastructure Engineering, and Design. The Academy also delivers sponsored collaborative research, contract R&D, and laboratory infrastructure access to industry and government partners.
Is IITB-Monash Research Academy a public or private company?
IITB-Monash Research Academy is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was IITB-Monash Research Academy founded?
IITB-Monash Research Academy was founded in 2008. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is IITB-Monash Research Academy based?
IITB-Monash Research Academy is headquartered in Mumbai, India, in the Asia region.
How does IITB-Monash Research Academy make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. PhD Program Operations are the primary driver. The others are industry Research Partnerships and sponsored Research.
Who are IITB-Monash Research Academy's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Duke Kunshan University, NYU Shanghai, ETH Zurich - IIT Madras Joint Doctoral Programme, Tsinghua-Berkeley Shenzhen Institute (TBSI), Singapore-MIT Alliance for Research and Technology (SMART), MITACS, Cornell Tech and Stanford-India Biodesign. Others are Indo-US Science and Technology Forum (IUSSTF) and Oxford India Centre for Sustainable Development.
Does IITB-Monash Research Academy have an API?
No public API is recorded for IITB-Monash Research Academy.
What industry is IITB-Monash Research Academy in?
IITB-Monash Research Academy's product category is Higher Education Research. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAHABAA, Comprehensive Doctoral Research Universities (Multi-Disciplinary), with a secondary code of EDAHABAB, STEM-Focused Research Universities (Engineering & Applied Sciences). Its NAICS code is 54171 and its SIC code is 8731.