What is the duration of the Post-Doctoral Fellowship at PRL?

The fellowship is for a maximum of two years, with an annual review for extension.

What is the stipend offered under the fellowship?

The stipend ranges from ₹ 58,000 to ₹ 67,000 per month, depending on the applicant’s qualifications.

Can candidates who have submitted their Ph.D. thesis apply for the fellowship?

Yes, candidates who have submitted their Ph.D. thesis are eligible.

Is there an age limit for applying to the fellowship?

Yes, the age limit is 35 years.

What fields of research are covered under this fellowship?

PRL covers various fields such as Astronomy, Physics, Geosciences, Space Sciences, and Theoretical Physics.

Is it mandatory to submit a research proposal?

Yes, candidates must submit a research proposal in consultation with a PRL faculty member.

How many recommendation letters are required for the application?

At least three recommendation letters from referees who are not PRL faculty members are required.

Are there specific deadlines for application submission?

Yes, applications are accepted quarterly, with deadlines in November, February, May, and August.

Is the fellowship open to foreign nationals?

No, only Indian citizens are eligible to apply.

Can employed candidates apply for the fellowship?

Yes, but they must provide a No Objection Certificate from their employer.

What is the selection process for the fellowship?

Selection is based on an initial screening, followed by an interview.

When will selected candidates be notified?

Notifications are sent after the interview process.

Can a fellow apply for an extension beyond two years?

No, the fellowship is for a maximum of two years only.

Can fellows collaborate with other researchers at PRL?

Yes, collaboration with other PRL researchers is encouraged.

Scholarship

Post Doctoral Fellowship (PRL Funded)(PDFPF)

Cash

Eligibility

The applicant should complete a Bachelor’s and master’s degrees in science or engineering with first-class (60%) or equivalent grades at both levels.

Region

All India

Award

Cash

By Expertie Editorial Team · Expertie editorial desk

Overview

About PDFPF

The Post Doctoral Fellowship (PRL Funded) is a research fellowship run by the Physical Research Laboratory (PRL), a unit of the Department of Space, Government of India. PRL was founded in Ahmedabad in 1947 by Vikram Sarabhai and carries out basic research across astronomy and astrophysics, solar physics, space and atmospheric sciences, geosciences, planetary sciences, atomic and molecular physics, and theoretical physics.

The fellowship funds early-career researchers to work on a project within one of these fields at PRL. It runs for a maximum of two years, with the second year subject to a satisfactory annual progress review. Support comes as a monthly stipend, and the fellow works on full-time research alongside the laboratory's faculty.

It is meant for candidates who hold a Ph.D., or who have submitted their thesis, in a science or engineering discipline that aligns with PRL's areas of work. Applicants build a research proposal in consultation with a PRL faculty member, so the candidate's subject needs to fit the laboratory's programmes.

Sources: Post Doctoral Fellowship (PRL Funded) - Physical Research Laboratory · Physical Research Laboratory - About (a unit of the Department of Space) · Post Doctoral Fellowship (PRL Funded) - myScheme

Who runs it

Provider

Ministry Of Science And Technology

Central Government

Department of Space

At a glance

Key details

Level	Central
Scheme type	Centrally Sponsored Scheme
Category	Education & Learning
Beneficiaries	Individual
Benefit type	Cash
Application mode	Online

Calendar

Important dates

Across all open application cycles.

Important dates by cycle
Cycle	Stage	Date

Who can apply

Eligibility criteria

The applicant should complete a Bachelor’s and master’s degrees in science or engineering with first-class (60%) or equivalent grades at both levels.
The applicant’s age should be 35 years.

What you get

Award & benefits

Fellowship: Monthly stipend based on the academic status of the fellow: ₹58,000/- for candidates who have submitted their Ph.D. thesis but await the degree.
₹61,000/- for candidates holding a Ph.D. degree.
₹67,000/- for external applicants with a Ph.D. and at least two years of research experience.
Academic Allowance: One-time academic allowance of ₹ 10,000/- during the fellowship.- Accommodation: Fellows may receive PRL accommodation or HRA in lieu of accommodation as per PRL norms.

What to prepare

Documents required

Passport-size Photograph.

Ph.D. Thesis Abstract.

List of Publications.

Research Proposal (maximum of 2000 words).

Detailed Bio-data (details of educational qualifications, age, work experience).

Recommendation Letters from Referees.

No Objection Certificate (for employed candidates).

Step by step

How to apply

1
Apply online
See the official links below for the application portal.

Source

Official links

Guidelines myScheme (Government of India)

Questions

PDFPF – FAQ

Disclaimer

Scheme details are compiled from myScheme, the Government of India’s official scheme-discovery platform, and are reproduced without alteration. Amounts, deadlines and eligibility change between cycles — always confirm on the official links above before applying. Expertie does not process applications or charge fees.

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