Looking for Industry-Relevant Research Funding? This Fellowship Opens the Door

Applications are now open for this Post-Doctoral Fellowship program in India. The deadline is 04 August 2025. Every year, they take in 25 fellows. It is a one-year fellowship, and the focus is on research in areas that are still developing or emerging.

This is not for just anyone. They are looking for people with a solid research background. People who have published papers, maybe won some recognitions. Basically, people who have already proven they are serious about research.

The fellowship gives Rs. 1.08 lakh per month. That is under the main fellowship budget. Apart from that, there is an additional Rs. 1.0 lakh per year as a contingency grant. But again, it is temporary. Only for one year.

Now, here is how it works. The proposal has to be submitted by institutions,  not by individuals directly. Only certain eligible institutions can send in the proposal. And if the proposal is accepted, that institution will enroll the selected fellow. So, if you are planning to apply, you need to do it through one of those institutions.

There are some eligibility rules. You must be an Indian citizen. You must have a PhD from a recognized university. And all your academic records, right from the beginning, should be first-class. Your PhD should have been completed not more than five years ago. Also, you should be under 40 years of age at the time of applying.

You cannot apply to the same institution from which you completed your PhD. That is not allowed. Also, your application needs to include the name of a mentor. This mentor should be someone already working in that institution in a regular academic or research post. They must also have a PhD, either in science or engineering.

They will give preference to candidates who have some kind of industry connection. Maybe you are solving a problem that is relevant to industry. Or you are collaborating with an industry partner. That helps. Your proposal needs to be clear. It should explain what you plan to do, what you hope to achieve, and how you will go about it.

There are a few restrictions, too. If you are in regular employment, you cannot apply. But if you are in a temporary job, then you can, only if you are ready to resign if selected. Also, if you are already getting another fellowship, then you cannot apply.

In case someone decides to quit the fellowship midway, then the institution has to inform the PhD Cell at DIC, MeitY. They need to give at least one month’s notice, and they have to stop using the fellowship funds from the date the fellow leaves.

There are other reasons why the fellowship could be canceled. Like if the fellow is not making good progress, or if they misuse the funds, or do not follow the guidelines. Also, if they take up any part-time or full-time job during the fellowship, that will lead to cancellation.

For More details, check HERE