Site icon fundsforNGOs

Call for Proposals: Prime Minister Research Chair Scheme (India)

fundsforngos

Deadline: 15-Jul-2026

The Prime Minister Research Chair Scheme supports leading Indian-origin researchers, scientists, and professionals from abroad to undertake high-impact research in India. The scheme offers fellowship fees, research grants, relocation support, allowances, and institutional overheads for research at eligible government higher education institutions, national laboratories, and research institutions. Eligible fellows include Indian nationals, Overseas Citizens of India, and Persons of Indian Origin with distinguished research records and post-PhD experience outside India.

Overview

Applications are open for the Prime Minister Research Chair Scheme, which aims to attract leading Indian-origin researchers and professionals from abroad to contribute to high-impact research in India.

The scheme was established as a Central Sector Scheme by the Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Education.

It is designed to strengthen India’s research value chain by connecting global Indian-origin talent with top government institutions, national laboratories, and research institutions in India.

Key Focus Areas

The Prime Minister Research Chair Scheme focuses on high-impact research across national priority sectors.

Key focus areas include:

Purpose of the Scheme

The purpose of the Prime Minister Research Chair Scheme is to bring leading Indian-origin researchers, scientists, and professionals from abroad into India’s research ecosystem.

The scheme supports original research, innovation, teaching, mentoring, international collaboration, and industry-aligned research.

It aims to create national impact by supporting research that addresses strategic priorities and contributes to India’s scientific, technological, and economic development.

Three Pillars of the Scheme

The scheme is anchored on three core pillars.

These are:

Each pillar plays a distinct role in guiding, hosting, and implementing high-impact research under the scheme.

Lead Institutions

Lead Institutions provide thematic leadership and strategic direction.

Each priority research area is overseen by a designated Lead Institution.

Lead Institutions help ensure that research projects remain aligned with national priorities and emerging needs.

Periodic reviews are conducted to maintain relevance, quality, and impact.

Host Institutions

Host Institutions are the institutions where selected fellows will undertake their research work.

Eligible Host Institutions must be:

Host Institutions are expected to demonstrate strong research capacity, innovation ecosystems, industry-academia linkages, and a track record of patent commercialization.

PMRC Fellows

PMRC Fellows are leading Indian-origin researchers, scientists, and professionals from abroad who are selected to undertake research in India.

Fellows are expected to contribute through:

Fellowship Categories

The scheme offers three engagement categories based on post-PhD experience.

Young Research Fellows

Young Research Fellows are applicants with up to 5 years of post-PhD experience.

This category supports early-career researchers with strong potential for high-impact research.

Senior Fellows

Senior Fellows are applicants with 5 to less than 10 years of post-PhD experience.

This category supports researchers with established expertise and a strong research record.

Research Chairs

Research Chairs are applicants with 10 years or more of post-PhD experience.

This category supports highly experienced researchers, scientists, and professionals with distinguished achievements and leadership capacity.

Who is Eligible?

Eligible fellows must be Indian-origin researchers, scientists, or professionals with a distinguished research record.

Eligible applicants may include:

Applicants must have post-PhD experience outside India and must meet the requirements of the relevant fellowship category.

Financial Support Available

The scheme provides multiple forms of financial support.

Financial support may include:

The amount of support depends on the fellowship category and project requirements.

Fellowship Fee

The annual fellowship fee ranges from INR 0.15 crore to INR 0.60 crore.

The exact amount depends on the category of engagement.

Research Grant

A one-time research grant is available.

The research grant ranges from INR 1 crore to INR 5 crore.

This support is intended to help fellows undertake high-impact research, build research capacity, and support project implementation.

Residential and Medical Allowances

Annual residential and medical allowances are available.

These allowances range from INR 0.05 crore to INR 0.15 crore.

Relocation Benefit

A one-time relocation benefit is available for selected fellows.

The relocation benefit ranges from INR 0.30 crore to INR 0.50 crore.

Operational Costs and Institute Overheads

Annual operational costs or institute overheads are also supported.

These may range from INR 0.20 crore to INR 1 crore.

This support helps Host Institutions manage project-related operational needs and institutional support requirements.

In-Kind Support from Host Institutions

Host Institutions are expected to provide in-kind contributions.

These may include:

Host Institutions may also cover publication and patenting costs arising from research outputs.

Expected Role of Fellows

Selected fellows are expected to contribute actively to India’s research ecosystem.

Their responsibilities may include:

Engagement Period

The engagement period is up to five years.

The final tenure is determined by the Empowered Committee based on the project proposal, category, institutional requirements, and performance.

Application Process

Applications must be submitted through the official PMRC portal.

Both Host Institutions and fellows are required to submit detailed information as part of the application process.

Requirements for Host Institutions

Host Institutions must provide a detailed application package.

This may include:

Requirements for Fellows

Fellows must submit a comprehensive application.

Required information may include:

How to Apply or Prepare a Strong Application

Applicants should prepare a clear, evidence-based application that demonstrates research excellence, national relevance, and institutional fit.

Step 1: Confirm Eligibility

Fellows should confirm that they are Indian nationals, Overseas Citizens of India, or Persons of Indian Origin.

They should also confirm that they have a strong research record and relevant post-PhD experience outside India.

Step 2: Select the Correct Fellowship Category

Applicants should choose the category that matches their post-PhD experience.

The categories are:

Step 3: Align the Proposal with a Priority Sector

The research proposal should be clearly aligned with one or more priority sectors under the scheme.

Applicants should explain how the research contributes to national priorities, technological advancement, innovation, or mission-oriented development.

Step 4: Identify a Suitable Host Institution

The applicant should identify a Host Institution that meets the eligibility criteria and has relevant research infrastructure.

The Host Institution should be able to support the proposed research through laboratories, facilities, institutional backing, and collaboration opportunities.

Step 5: Prepare a Strong Research Proposal

The proposal should explain:

Step 6: Prepare the Budget

The budget should clearly justify the requested fellowship support, research grant, relocation benefit, allowances, and operational costs.

The budget should be realistic and linked directly to the proposed research activities.

Step 7: Submit Through the PMRC Portal

Applications must be submitted through the official PMRC portal.

Applicants should ensure that all required documents are complete, accurate, and uploaded in the required format.

Why It Matters

The Prime Minister Research Chair Scheme matters because it connects global Indian-origin research talent with India’s national research priorities.

The scheme can help strengthen India’s scientific capacity, accelerate innovation, support advanced technologies, and build stronger links between academia, industry, and national laboratories.

By supporting high-impact research across strategic sectors, the scheme contributes to India’s long-term research leadership and technological self-reliance.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Applicants should avoid the following mistakes:

Tips for a Strong Application

A strong application should be research-driven, nationally relevant, and institutionally aligned.

Useful tips include:

FAQ

1. What is the Prime Minister Research Chair Scheme?

The Prime Minister Research Chair Scheme is a Central Sector Scheme that supports leading Indian-origin researchers, scientists, and professionals from abroad to undertake high-impact research in India.

2. Who can apply as a fellow?

Indian nationals, Overseas Citizens of India, and Persons of Indian Origin with distinguished research records and post-PhD experience outside India may apply.

3. What are the fellowship categories?

The three categories are Young Research Fellows, Senior Fellows, and Research Chairs, based on post-PhD experience.

4. What institutions can host fellows?

Eligible Host Institutions include top-ranked government higher education institutions and national laboratories or research institutions under bodies such as DBT, DST, CSIR, ICMR, and similar organizations.

5. What financial support is available?

Support includes an annual fellowship fee, one-time research grant, residential and medical allowances, relocation benefit, and annual operational costs or institute overheads.

6. What is the maximum research grant?

The one-time research grant may range from INR 1 crore to INR 5 crore.

7. How long is the engagement period?

The engagement period is up to five years, with tenure determined by the Empowered Committee based on proposal and performance.

Conclusion

The Prime Minister Research Chair Scheme provides a major opportunity for Indian-origin researchers, scientists, and professionals abroad to contribute to India’s research and innovation ecosystem.

Through fellowship support, research grants, relocation benefits, institutional overheads, and access to leading Host Institutions, the scheme aims to advance high-impact research across strategic national priority sectors. Strong applications should demonstrate research excellence, national relevance, institutional fit, international experience, innovation potential, and a clear plan for long-term scientific and technological impact in India.

For more information, visit CSIR.

Exit mobile version