Scholarship
Visiting Advanced Joint Research Faculty Scheme(VAJRA)
Overview
About VAJRA
The Visiting Advanced Joint Research (VAJRA) Faculty Scheme brings overseas scientists and academicians into Indian public-funded academic and research institutions to work as adjunct or visiting faculty for a short spell each year. It is a Central Sector scheme of the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India, run through the department's national research funding body – the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) – with applications made online through its portal.
The scheme connects Indian research groups with senior researchers based abroad so the two can run projects together, and it places particular emphasis on Non-Resident Indians and Overseas Citizens of India. Visiting faculty take up assignments of one to three months in a year, working in interdisciplinary areas such as energy, water, health, security, nutrition and materials.
The benefit is a composite package. The scheme pays a lump-sum honorarium of US$ 15,000 for the first month of engagement and US$ 10,000 for each of the next two months. No separate provision is made for travel or accommodation, though the host institution may consider adding support. Applications stay open through the year, and a committee reviews them twice a year before making its recommendations.
The scheme is aimed at established researchers rather than students. It suits scientists, faculty members and research and development professionals based overseas who want to collaborate with an Indian institution.
Sources: Department of Science & Technology – VAJRA · VAJRA Faculty Scheme – Official website · myScheme (Government of India) – Visiting Advanced Joint Research Faculty Scheme
Who runs it
Provider
Ministry Of Science And Technology
Central Government
Department Of Science & Technology · Science And Engineering Research Board, Government Of India
At a glance
Key details
| Level | Central |
| Scheme type | Central Sector Scheme |
| Category | Education & Learning, Science, IT & Communications |
| Beneficiaries | Individual |
| Benefit type | Composite |
| Application mode | Online |
Calendar
Important dates
Across all open application cycles.
| Cycle | Stage | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Current | Applications open | 2017-01-08 |
Who can apply
Eligibility criteria
| The scheme is open to overseas scientists, faculty members, and R&D professionals including Non-resident Indians (NRI) and Overseas Citizens of India (OCI). | |
| The overseas scientist/faculty should be an active researcher working in a leading academic/research/industrial organization with a proven track record of research and development. | |
| Indian Collaborator(s) should be a regular faculty/researcher in academic/research institutions. | |
| Indian Collaborator(s) from the Top 10 Private Institutions as per the NIRF ranking are also eligible to apply if the Institute contributes 50% of the cost. |
What you get
Award & benefits
- The residency period of VAJRA Faculty in India would be for a minimum of 1 month and a maximum of 3 months.
- VAJRA Faculty will be provided US$ 15000 in the first month of engagement and US$ 10000 p.m. in the subsequent two months. While no separate support is provided for travel, accommodation, medical/personal insurance, etc. the host institute may consider providing additional support.
- Return visit of Indian faculty to the Institute of VAJRA Faculty: One research visit by the Indian host to the Institute of the VAJRA Faculty for a period not less than a week and not exceeding 30 days will be supported. The board will provide return economy airfare, not exceeding ₹1.5 lakhs per diem, and accommodation as per the norms of the Board. 1. Student mobility (Doctoral & Postdoctoral Level: Across labs): Collaborative research visit of not more than 2 students, doctoral, preferably co-advised / post-doctoral level after 2 years of engagement from the research group of Indian host to the Institute of the VAJRA Faculty for a duration of three to six months will be supported. The board will provide a return economy airfare, a one-time contingency grant of ₹60,000/- and fellowship equivalent to the norms of the Board. 1. Research Contingency Grant to the hosting Indian Collaborator: ₹5.0 lakhs per year of research visit per VAJRA Faculty to the Indian host to meet expenses related to the collaborative research will also be provided. 1. Support to engage VAJRA Faculty to give lectures in his/her area of expertise in the host Institute: Support to VAJRA Faculty to the tune of ₹1.0 lakh per year for this activity will be provided.
What to prepare
Documents required
Step by step
How to apply
- 1Apply online
See the official links below for the application portal.
Source
Official links
Questions
VAJRA – 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.