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The recently announced VAIBHAV Fellowship aims to enhance the research ecosystem of India’s higher educational institutions and scientific institutions by promoting academic and research cooperation between Indian institutions and the best institutions throughout the world via the mobility of faculty members and researchers from overseas institutions to India. The registration dates for the fellowship have not been announced yet.

The fellowship delivers a chance to work for a one-month minimum to a maximum of two months a year with a research or an academic institution in India to non-resident Indian (NRI), an overseas citizen of India (OCI), and persons of Indian origin (PIO) researchers presently living abroad. The duration of the VAIBHAV fellowship is three years, and the government will provide an amount of up to Rs 37 lakh for the whole period to the fellowship holders.

Eligibility Criteria

1. The applicant should be NRI/OCI/PIO- currently living abroad.

2. The candidate must have a Ph.D., MD, or MS degree from a recognised institute.

3. Applicant should be a researcher engaged in an overseas academic research or industrial organisation with a demonstrated track record of R&D working in the top 500 QS World University Ranking.

4. Plan to seek research work for a one-month minimum to a maximum of two months a year in a research or academic institution in India, spread over three years.

5. Applicants can submit their propositions only once in a calendar year.

According to the eligibility measures for institutions, the higher educational institutions (HEIS) or the university must be rated in the leading 200 in NIRF overall rankings and hold a NAAC ‘A” grade (3.0 & above) and scientific institutions.

The host institute will earn Rs 10 lakh every year for hosting the scientist and delivering office and laboratory accommodation and facilitation for diverse infrastructure support.

Selection and Mode of Application

• The call for applications will be notified via the DST official website- dst.gov.in.


• Applications would be invited twice a year, ending on July 31 and January 31.


• The application form with a research proposal emphasizing the goals of the research work to be undertaken should be submitted via online mode.


• The applicant must recognize an Indian institution, university, or research laboratory for performing his research.


• The selection depends on the recommendations of an Expert Committee to be constituted by the DST.