New Delhi: The Department of Science and Technology (DST), under the Ministry of Science and Technology, Government of India, has announced the implementation of the VAIBHAV Fellowship program.
Designed to enhance global collaboration in science and technology, VAIBHAV Fellowship initiative invites participation from the Indian scientific diaspora, aiming to strengthen ties with Indian academic and public-funded research institutions.
The VAIBHAV Fellowship (Vaishvik Bhartiya Vaigyanik) enables Non-Resident Indians (NRIs), Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs), and Overseas Citizens of India (OCIs) to engage in high-impact research collaborations with Indian institutions. Fellows can spend up to two months each year in India for a maximum of three years, working with host institutions on strategic research projects.
VAIBHAV Fellowship Benefits and Financial Support
Each VAIBHAV Fellow is entitled to a monthly stipend of ₹4 lakh, business-class international travel to India once a year, domestic academic travel, and accommodation support up to ₹7,500 per day. A research contingency of ₹1 lakh per year is also provided.
To ensure smooth project execution, host institutions receive an additional financial grant of up to ₹5 lakh annually for three years. These funds cover consumables, project-related overheads, and other operational costs, as per DST norms. All disbursements are made through the Indian host institution, which must be registered with the Public Fund Management System (PFMS) and, if private, with NITI Aayog’s DARPAN portal.
Expectations and Areas of Research
VAIBHAV Fellows are expected to share best practices in research, innovation, and incubation, foster long-term collaborations, and support capacity-building through mentorship and knowledge exchange. Host institutions, in turn, are required to provide lab facilities, project support, and infrastructure to facilitate successful collaboration.
Research proposals are invited in 18 key thematic areas such as Quantum Technologies, Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning, Energy, Environmental Sciences, Aerospace, Health and Biomedical Devices, Advanced Manufacturing, Agricultural Technologies, and Management for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Eligible fellows must hold a Ph.D., M.D., M.S., or M.Tech, have at least five years of international academic or industrial research experience (excluding PhD/postdoctoral work), and demonstrate active engagement in research. Host institutions must be top-ranked Indian universities or public-funded national research labs.
