Fellowships & Scholarships
VAJRA, launched in 2017, is a dedicated program exclusively for overseas scientists and academicians with emphasis on Non-resident Indians (NRI) and Persons of Indian Origin (PIO) / Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) to participate and contribute to research and development (R&D) in India by working as adjunct / visiting faculty in Indian Public funded academic and research institutions for a specific duration. It recognizes the value of collaborative research as a crucial element for information sharing among researchers for updating and acquiring knowledge and skills, and also to draw different perspectives to solve a shared problem. This scheme is to welcome accomplished Overseas Scientists to take up challenging research problems in the Indian setting. A Selection Committee of eminent scientists will evaluate the applications, meeting twice a year in Jan and July. Subsequently, SERB would announce the results in the month of April and Sept.
Eligibility:
i) This scheme is open to overseas scientist / faculty /R&D professional including NRI and PIO / OCI
ii) Applicant should be an active researcher working with overseas academic / research / industrial organizations with proven track record of research and development. Fellowship amount: The VAJRA Faculty will be provided US $15000 in the first month of engagement in a year and US $10000 p.m. in the other two months to cover their travel and honorarium. While no separate support is provided e.g. for accommodation, medical / personal insurance etc., the host institute may consider providing additional support. The VAJRA Faculty will work for minimum of 1 month and a maximum of 3 months a yr in an Institution in India. The Indian Host Institution may engage him/her for longer duration even after the completion of the assignment. The adjunct position will be offered initially for 1 yr, and can be renewed every yr.