Scholarship
Visvesvaraya PhD Scheme for Electronics and IT: Young Faculty Research Fellowships(VPHD_YFRF)
Overview
About VPHD_YFRF
The Young Faculty Research Fellowships (YFRF) are one strand of the Visvesvaraya PhD Scheme for Electronics and IT, a central programme of the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY). The scheme was launched in March 2014 with Cabinet approval and is implemented by the Digital India Corporation. Its broad aim is to raise the number of PhDs and the depth of research in two fields the government has prioritised: Electronics System Design and Manufacturing (ESDM) and IT and IT-enabled services (IT/ITES).
The fellowship is meant to keep able young academics working on research in these sectors rather than lose them. It supports faculty who already hold a regular position at their institution and can show a track record in research, and the benefit is composite: a fellowship grant paid on top of regular salary, together with an annual sum for conducting the research itself.
Support runs for an initial two years and can be extended up to five years, subject to a review of the fellow's progress. If you hold a teaching post in electronics or IT and are building a research portfolio, this is the strand of the scheme aimed at you; the full-time and part-time PhD tracks under the same scheme are for doctoral candidates instead.
Sources: Visvesvaraya PhD Scheme, Digital India (MeitY) · Guidelines of the Visvesvaraya PhD Scheme for Electronics & IT (Phase II) · MeitY, Visvesvaraya PhD Scheme YFRF listing, myScheme
Who runs it
Provider
Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology
Central Government
Digital India Corporation
At a glance
Key details
| Level | Central |
| Scheme type | Central Sector Scheme |
| Category | Science, IT & Communications, Education & Learning |
| 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
| The applicant should be an Indian citizen. | |
| The applicant must have obtained PhD degree from a recognized University with first class (in terms of grades, etc.) in all preceding levels and a good academic record throughout. | |
| The applicant must have a regular position in the institute and should be engaged in research. | |
| The upper age limit for the fellowship is 40 years on the date of submission of application. | |
| YFRF under Visvesvaraya PhD Scheme can be availed only once by a candidate in his/her career. | |
| The applicant availing any other fellowship is not eligible to apply. | |
| Proposals for allotment of YFRF are to be submitted through eligible institutions only. | |
| Each institution in the proposal may submit up to three nominations for the award for each round of call for applications. | |
| Discontinuation of the Fellowship | The performance of YFRF would be reviewed periodically as per the discretion of PhD Cell, DIC; MeitY. |
| Discontinuation of the Fellowship | A detailed performance assessment/review of award would be conducted annually and decision on continuation of YFRF would be taken accordingly. |
| Discontinuation of the Fellowship | If any fellow wishes to discontinue the fellowship, the institution should inform Visvesvaraya PhD Scheme immediately. One month's notice is to be given to DIC through the institution before the date of discontinuation. |
| Discontinuation of the Fellowship | The implementing institution should not incur any expenditure from the date of termination of the project or the date of resignation of the fellow. The institution will ensure the submission of work report and other requisite documents from YFRF awardee. |
| Discontinuation of the Fellowship | PhD Cell, DIC; MeitY reserves the right to hold/ stop/ terminate the Fellowship at any stage because of reasons including, but not limited to the following: |
| Discontinuation of the Fellowship | Appropriate progress is not being made. |
| Discontinuation of the Fellowship | The grant is not being utilized properly. |
| Discontinuation of the Fellowship | Violation/ Non-compliance of guidelines. |
| Discontinuation of the Fellowship | Any other reason, which is deemed appropriate by PhD Cell, DIC, MeitY. |
What you get
Award & benefits
- Nature of Support: Research Fellowship: ₹20,000/- per month, in addition to the regular salary - Research Contingency Grant: ₹5,00,000/- per year for a maximum of 5 years - The fellowship is tenable only in India and can be implemented in any of the recognized & eligible academic and R&D institution.
- Research Contingency Grant can be used for minor equipment, consumables and domestic travel. The host institution should provide necessary administrative and infrastructural support for YFRF.
- The fellows are not eligible to receive any other fellowship from any Government or Non-Government source during the tenure of the fellowship.
- YFRFs are non-transferrable. The research work is to be carried out in the same eligible institution though which YFRF proposal was submitted.
- Duration of Support: The fellowship is purely a temporary assignment, and is tenable for a maximum period of 05 years.
- The award will initially be for 2 years and further extendible, based on performance review.
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
VPHD_YFRF – 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.