Scholarship
VAIshwik BHArtiya Vaigyanik (VAIBHAV) Fellowship(VAIBHAV)
Eligibility
Non-Resident Indian (NRI), Persons of Indian Origin (PIO), and Overseas Citizen of India (OCI), currently working abroad.
Region
All India
Award
Composite
By Expertie Editorial Team · Expertie editorial desk
Overview
About VAIBHAV
The VAIshwik BHArtiya Vaigyanik (VAIBHAV) Fellowship is run by the Department of Science and Technology (DST), part of the Ministry of Science and Technology, Government of India. It was launched on National Science Day, 28 February 2023, by the Union Minister for Science and Technology, Dr Jitendra Singh. The aim is to bring scientists of the Indian diaspora into sustained work with institutions in India.
The fellowship pairs overseas Indian-origin researchers with Indian higher educational institutions, universities and publicly funded scientific institutions. A fellow picks an Indian institution to collaborate with and spends a set period there each year, over a term of up to three years, working on shared research. The benefit is composite: the fellow receives an emolument, and the host institution receives financial support towards the research work.
It is meant for researchers who are Non-Resident Indians (NRI), Persons of Indian Origin (PIO) or Overseas Citizens of India (OCI), hold a Ph.D, M.D or M.S from a recognised university, and work at an academic, research or industrial organisation abroad. The idea is to channel that diaspora expertise back into Indian institutions through the movement of faculty and researchers.
Sources: Department of Science & Technology (DST) – VAIBHAV Fellowship Call 2025 · DST – Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh launches VAIBHAV Fellowships on National Science Day · IndiaBioscience – Vaishvik Bharatiya Vaigyanik (VAIBHAV) Fellowship · myScheme – VAIBHAV Fellowship
Who runs it
Provider
Ministry Of Science And Technology
Central Government
Department Of Science & Technology · Department Of Science & Technology, Ministry Of Science And Technology
At a glance
Key details
| Level | Central |
| Scheme type | Central Sector Scheme |
| Category | Education & Learning, Science, IT & Communications |
| Beneficiaries | Individual, University / Institution |
| Benefit type | Composite |
| Application mode | Online |
Calendar
Important dates
Across all open application cycles.
| Cycle | Stage | Date |
|---|
Who can apply
Eligibility criteria
| Eligibility: (For applicants- VAIBHAV Fellow) | Non-Resident Indian (NRI), Persons of Indian Origin (PIO), and Overseas Citizen of India (OCI), currently working abroad. |
| Eligibility: (For applicants- VAIBHAV Fellow) | Ph.D/M.D/M.S/M.Tech degree from a recognized University. |
| Eligibility: (For applicants- VAIBHAV Fellow) | Engaged in active research. |
| Eligibility: (For applicants- VAIBHAV Fellow) | Working/worked in an Institute/University of top-200 QS World University Ranking (subject wise) (in regular/tenure employment) for at least 5 years or more. OR |
| Eligibility: (For applicants- VAIBHAV Fellow) | Working in Industry or Research Laboratories of repute in abroad for at least 5 years or more (but should not be a PhD or Post-doctoral fellow). |
| Eligibility: (For host Indian Institutions) | Higher Educational Institution/University ranked in the top 200 in NIRF overall rankings or having NAAC ‘A+’ grade or above and/or |
| Eligibility: (For host Indian Institutions) | Public Funded Scientific Institutes/National Laboratories. |
| Expectations from the VAIBHAV fellow | Sharing the Best Practices on research and translation of research, incubation, etc. |
| Expectations from the VAIBHAV fellow | Build long-term connections, |
| Expectations from the VAIBHAV fellow | Connect Indian Students to the foreign faculty/scientists |
| Expectations from the VAIBHAV fellow | New approaches to Research processes and futuristic technologies |
| Expectations from the VAIBHAV fellow | VAIBHAV Fellow is expected to give a report to DST within 21 days of completion of travel indicating work done/initiated, follow-up required, etc. |
| Expectations from Host Institution | The host institute will host the scientist and provide office/lab facilities, consumables, access to lab equipment, and facilitation for various infrastructure support. The following activities will be done by the host faculty/scientist: |
| Expectations from Host Institution | Will start a project/technology translation/start-up/incubation which should be aligned with the priorities area of the country |
| Expectations from Host Institution | The VAIBHAV fellow would collaborate with the Indian scientist team during his visit and beyond via online meetings. |
| Expectations from Host Institution | The host institution would implement the project within 3 years in consultation with a VAIBHAV fellow. |
| Expectations from Host Institution | The host Institution would submit the progress report and financial documents to DST at the end of each year and a project completion report at the end of 3rd year. The reports need to be jointly prepared by the host and the VAIBHAV fellow. |
| Expectations from Host Institution | Host institute will adapt the shared best practices |
| Expectations from Host Institution | Will build the long-term research connections with the fellow |
| Expectations from Host Institution | Will develop a new approach to research processes and try to develop new technologies/innovation etc. |
What you get
Award & benefits
- Emoluments for the Fellowship: Fellowship in ₹4,00,000/- roughly (equivalent to USD 5000 per month), for a minimum of 1 month and a maximum of up to 2 months per year for a period of a maximum of 3 years,
- International Travel from place of work in parent institute to place of work in India in business class once a year,
- Fully furnished Accommodation in the guest house or hotel up to ₹7500/- per day,
- Contingency ₹1,00,000 per year for research expenditure in India
- Domestic Travel (economy class) for academic purposes up to two Indian academic/scientific institutes in a year.
- Note: It may be noted that the total eligible grant will be released to the Indian host Institute and these institutes will be providing a Fellowship amount to the VAIBHAV Fellow and extend other support.
- Institutional Financial Support: The financial support (up to ₹5 Lakhs per year for 3 years) will be given to the host institution to facilitate the VAIBHAV fellow for research work as per DST norms. This funding will cover the following expenses in connection with a project;
- Consumables and Accessories,
- Institutional Overhead
What to prepare
Documents required
Statement of Purpose (one-page max.)
Bio-data of Applicant in the prescribed format (two pages max.)
List of recent publications of the applicant (last three years) with impact factors
Copy of Valid Passport
Academic Qualification – Copy of certificate for highest degree
Experience Certificate
Undertaking by the applicant in the prescribed format
No-objection certificate from the parent institute
Consent letter from the Host Institute in India
CV of the host scientist /faculty (two pages max.)
List of recent publications of the host scientist/faculty (last three years) with impact factors
Step by step
How to apply
- 1Apply online
See the official links below for the application portal.
Source
Official links
Questions
VAIBHAV – FAQ
The VAIBHAV Fellowship is a program initiated by the Department of Science & Technology, Ministry of Science and Technology, Government of India. It aims to envisage collaboration between scientists of the Indian Diaspora and Indian Higher Educational Institutions (HEIs), Universities, and Public Funded Scientific Institutions.
The fellowship allows fellows to spend up to two months in a year for a maximum period of three years collaborating with an Indian Institution.
The fellowship encourages research proposals in the following identified verticals and horizontals: Quantum Technologies, Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning, Computational Sciences, Data Sciences, Photonics, Energy, Electronics and Semiconductor Technologies, Communication Technologies, Aerospace Technologies, Materials and Processing Technologies, Earth Sciences, Environmental Sciences, Advanced Manufacturing Technologies, Health, Medical Sciences and Biomedical Devices, Agricultural Sciences, Social Sciences for SDGs, Management:
The VAIBHAV Fellowship offers a stipend of ₹4,00,000/- per month (equivalent to USD 5000 per month) for a minimum of 01 month and a maximum of 02 months per year, with a total fellowship duration not exceeding 03 years.
Yes, VAIBHAV Fellows are entitled to one international travel ticket in business class per year from their place of work in the parent institute to their place of work in India.
Fellows receive fully furnished accommodation in a guest house or hotel, with a daily allowance of up to ₹7500 to cover accommodation expenses.
Yes, VAIBHAV Fellows receive a contingency grant of ₹1,00,000 per year for research-related expenditures in India.
Yes, Fellows are eligible for domestic travel within India (economy class) for academic purposes, with a limit of two visits to Indian academic/scientific institutes in a year.
The host institution receives institutional financial support of up to ₹5 Lakhs per year for a duration of 3 years. This funding is allocated to cover expenses related to consumables and accessories, contingency, and institutional overhead for the research project.
The VAIBHAV Fellowship is open to Non-Resident Indians (NRI), Persons of Indian Origin (PIO), and Overseas Citizens of India (OCI) currently working abroad.
Applicants should hold a Ph.D., M.D., M.S., or M.Tech degree from a recognized University.
Yes, applicants must be engaged in active research at the time of applying for the VAIBHAV Fellowship.
For VAIBHAV Fellow Applicants: 1. Who is eligible to apply for the VAIBHAV Fellowship? The VAIBHAV Fellowship is open to Non-Resident Indians (NRI), Persons of Indian Origin (PIO), and Overseas Citizens of India (OCI) currently working abroad. 2. What academic qualifications are required for applicants? Applicants should hold a Ph.D., M.D., M.S., or M.Tech degree from a recognized University. 3. Is there a requirement for applicants to be actively involved in research? Yes, applicants must be engaged in active research at the time of applying for the VAIBHAV Fellowship. 4. What are the criteria for the applicant's current or past employment? Applicants must fulfill one of the following criteria: Have worked in an Institute/University ranked in the top 200 QS World University Rankings (subject-wise) for at least 5 years or more in regular/tenure employment. Have worked in Industry or Research Laboratories of repute abroad for at least 5 years or more, but should not be a Ph.D. or Post-doctoral fellow.
Host institutions should fall into either of the following categories: Higher Educational Institutions/University ranked in the top 200 in NIRF overall rankings or possessing NAAC ‘A+’ grade or above. Public funded Scientific Institutes/National Laboratories.
The call is open for proposal submission under VAIBHAV Fellowship at ePMS (https://onlinedst.gov.in).
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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