Deadline: 01-Sep-2025
The Anusandhan National Research Foundation has launched a call for proposals under the PM Professorship program to harness the expertise of superannuated scientists and faculty from reputed institutions, research labs, and industry. The initiative is aimed at improving research ecosystems in less endowed state universities by placing experienced mentors who can raise the standard of research and innovation.
The Prime Minister Professor will play a vital role in mentoring faculty and students, strengthening research capabilities, and promoting collaboration between universities, research institutions, and industries. The program focuses on enhancing the research culture through sustained knowledge exchange and capacity building.
Eligible applicants include retired or superannuated scientists and faculty from Indian and international institutions, NRIs, PIOs, OCIs, industry professionals, and Professors of Practice with a strong research and innovation record. Applicants must be actively engaged in research and willing to relocate full-time to the host university.
Each selected PM Professor will receive a fellowship of ₹30 lakh per annum, along with a research grant of ₹24 lakh for consumables, domestic travel, contingencies, and minor equipment. An additional overhead of ₹1 lakh per year is also provided. The term of the professorship is five years, with a performance review after three years.
Only state universities categorized as “Spoke Institutions” under Category A of the PAIR program are eligible to host a PM Professor. The host university must ensure adequate support in the form of office and laboratory space, library access, and other infrastructure.
Applications must be submitted jointly by the prospective mentor and departments of the host university. The proposal should clearly describe the mentor’s role, planned contributions, strategies to enhance research quality, and how they will guide the faculty and students in conducting impactful research.
Proposals may include plans for establishing or upgrading research labs, potentially utilizing the research grant or CSR funds, with the necessary approvals. At least two departments aligned with the mentor’s expertise must be involved, and only one proposal is allowed per university.
Submissions will be evaluated based on the mentor’s academic and professional achievements, the proposal’s novelty and potential, and the research credentials of the participating university departments. Evaluation will also consider faculty performance over the last five years, ongoing projects, publications, patents, collaborations, and available facilities. A projected five-year research activity plan must be included, with an emphasis on mentoring and support for prototype development or patent generation.
For more information, visit ANRF.
