Deadline: 3-December-2025
The Prime Minister’s Early Career Research Grant aims to strengthen the research ecosystem by supporting young researchers embarking on their academic or scientific journey. Under this initiative, ANRF will provide a research grant of up to Rs60 lakh plus overheads for a period of three years.
The program emphasizes ease of doing research through flexibility in utilizing resources under the recurring head, flexibility in manpower recruitment, enhanced travel, contingency and overhead charges, and support for expenses related to open access publications and patent filing charges. International travel for project-related activities is also permitted under the scheme, further facilitating global exposure and collaboration.
Each year, a maximum of 700 grants will be awarded across all subject areas, ensuring broad inclusivity in research disciplines. Eligible applicants must be Indian citizens. Persons of Indian Origin (PIO) or Overseas Citizens of India (OCI) working as regular employees in any public-funded and recognized R&D laboratories or institutions in India are also eligible to apply as Principal Investigators in collaboration with an Indian Co-Principal Investigator, provided they fulfill the eligibility criteria notified by ANRF.
Applicants must hold a PhD degree in Science or Engineering or an MD/MS/MDS/MVSc degree, and must have joined their institution on or after February 01, 2023. Only those holding a regular academic or research position in a recognized academic or R&D institution are eligible.
Research Associates, Postdoctoral Fellows, Ad-hoc or Guest Faculties, Visiting Scientists, Consultants, Project Fellows, and faculty members whose contracts are renewed annually are not eligible for this grant. ANRF reserves the right to determine eligibility in cases not specifically mentioned.
After project completion, researchers must submit to ANRF a Final Consolidated Statement of Expenditure, Utilization Certificates for each financial year, a Project Completion Report (PCR) with details of publications and patents, and a Demand Draft or cheque for any unspent grant.
The Principal Investigator is responsible for timely submission of all reports, certificates, and refunds at project closure. The last date for submitting applications is Wednesday, December 03, 2025.
For more information, visit India Science Technology and Innovation.
