Details

The Prime Minister’s Fellowship for Doctoral Research is one of the most prestigious initiatives launched by the Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB) under the Department of Science and Technology, Government of India. This scheme reflects a significant step toward strengthening university research while aligning it with the needs and expectations of industry. Its primary objective is to encourage young, talented, and enthusiastic scholars to undertake research that is not only academically enriching but also industrially relevant, thereby bridging the gap between knowledge creation and its practical application.

The scheme was conceptualized with the intent to leverage India’s research potential by integrating it with the innovative capacities of industry. By offering access to specialized know-how, advanced technologies, and world-class facilities, the fellowship enables researchers to generate outcomes that hold tangible economic value. These outcomes may include patents, licenses, innovative products, and processes that can play a transformative role in the country’s industrial and technological growth.

Introduced in 2013, the fellowship offers 100 slots annually to aspiring doctoral researchers who wish to pursue their Ph.D. in reputed technological and research institutions across India. The scheme is implemented by the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) on behalf of SERB, ensuring smooth coordination between academia and industry.

The aims of the fellowship are threefold. First, it seeks to encourage and inspire promising young Indian researchers to focus their doctoral studies on areas that directly contribute to industry requirements in fields such as Science, Technology, Engineering, Agriculture, and Medicine. Second, it endeavors to foster strong collaborations between industry and academia for the advancement of research and development. Third, it aims to promote high-quality research on subjects of industrial significance that can contribute to India’s innovation ecosystem.

What makes the Prime Minister’s Fellowship unique is not just the financial support it provides but also the holistic and enriching experience it guarantees to its recipients. Selected fellows are offered mentorship by both academic experts and industry leaders through annual review meetings and periodic sessions facilitated by external agencies. This ensures that scholars receive both theoretical knowledge and practical insights, equipping them with skills to address real-world challenges. Additionally, fellows are given opportunities for both national and international exposure, enabling them to broaden their perspectives and enhance their research competencies.

The duration of the fellowship is fixed at a maximum of four years, in line with the provisions of the scheme. During this period, scholars are expected to not only complete their doctoral research but also contribute meaningfully to the advancement of knowledge, technology, and industrial processes in India.

In conclusion, the Prime Minister’s Fellowship for Doctoral Research stands as a visionary program that blends academic excellence with industrial applicability. By nurturing bright young minds and fostering industry-academia partnerships, the scheme is helping India move toward becoming a global hub of innovation, research, and development.

Benefits

1. The Prime Minister’s Fellowship for Doctoral Research offers exceptional advantages to aspiring scholars. Firstly, full-time Ph.D. candidates selected under this scheme receive a scholarship that is twice the amount of the regular JRF/SRF fellowship, providing them with substantial financial support to pursue their research without constraints.

2. Secondly, the scheme has a provision to grant up to 100 new fellowships each year, ensuring a wide pool of opportunities for meritorious students. The funding model is unique and collaborative: half of the scholarship is contributed by the Government of India, while the other half is sponsored by an industry partner. This not only strengthens financial support but also builds a close working relationship between the scholar and the partner company, allowing the research project to remain highly relevant to industrial needs.

Eligibility

1. The applicant must be an Indian citizen.

2. The applicant should be a full-time Ph.D. scholar enrolled in a recognized Indian university, institute, or research laboratory.

3. The Ph.D. registration date should not exceed 14 months from the date of application submission (i.e., the candidate must apply within 14 months of admission/registration, whichever is earlier).

4. The applicant must have a valid industry partner willing to provide both financial support and mentorship for the research project.

5. The proposed research topic should be mutually agreed upon by the scholar and the industry partner, and it must be innovative, practically relevant, and industrially applicable.

6. The selected scholar should be ready to collaborate and work with the supporting company as required during the course of the project.

7. The applicant must not be availing any other fellowship once selected under this scheme.

Application Process

1. Register Online

Create a student profile on the official portal:

www.primeministerfellowshipscheme.in (CII coordinating industry chamber)

www.serbficci-iirrada.in (FICCI coordinating industry chamber)

For Student Click here
For company Click here 

2. Prepare Application Form

Follow the prescribed guidelines and complete the form online via the above portals.

Note: The form cannot be downloaded; it must be filled online with internet connectivity.

3. Download Supporting Documents

Access the Call for Proposal and Document Checklist from the portal.

4. Tie-up with an Industry Partner

Identify a suitable company and obtain signed undertakings from:

An authorized signatory of the company, and

The host institute.

5. Compile Documents

Collect all required documents and create digital copies for online submission.

6. Complete Online Application

Fill in the application form carefully using the portal.

7. Final Submission

Submit the application form online.

Important: Do not send any physical copies of the application/documents to CII or FICCI.

Selection Parameters

1. The proposed research project must be innovative and of high scientific merit, focusing on discrete R&D rather than exploratory work.

2. Projects should demonstrate strong commercialization potential.

3. The applicant, academic guide, and industry mentor must collectively have a solid track record in their respective fields.

Documents Required

1. Recent passport-size photograph

2. Ph.D. enrolment and registration certificate

3. Academic certificates – 10th, 12th, Graduation, and Post-Graduation

4. Scanned copies of additional degree/diploma certificates (if applicable)

5. Profile of the host institute

6. Bio-data of the Ph.D. supervisor (maximum 3 pages)

7. Profile of the partner company with official logo

8. Bio-data of the industry mentor (maximum 3 pages)

9. Undertaking from the research supervisor and head of the institute/university

10. Undertaking from the industry partner supporting the research project

11. Letter from the industry partner (on company letterhead) specifying the research problem and future implementation plans, if any

12. List of publications (if available)

13. Research synopsis

14. Any other supporting documents as required

Frequently Asked Questions