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VAIshwik BHArtiya Vaigyanik (VAIBHAV) Fellowship

VAIBHAV Fellowship envisages collaboration between scientists of Indian Diaspora with | Indian Higher Educational Institutions/Universities/Public Funded Scientific | Institutions. Fellow would identify an Indian Institution for collaboration & | may spend upto two months in a year for a max. of 3 years.

Authority

Central

Region

None

Status

Verified 2026

Updated

March 2026

What you get

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, | - Contingency | - Institutional Overhead

Who can apply

Sharing the Best Practices on research and translation of research, incubation, etc.; Build long-term connections,; Connect Indian Students to the foreign faculty/scientists; New approaches to Research processes and futuristic technologies; 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.; Will start a project/technology translation/start-up/incubation which should be aligned with the priorities area of the country; The VAIBHAV fellow would collaborate with the Indian scientist team during his visit and beyond via online meetings.; The host institution would implement the project within 3 years in consultation with a VAIBHAV fellow.; 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.; Host institute will adapt the shared best practices; Will build the long-term research connections with the fellow; Will develop a new approach to research processes and try to develop new technologies/innovation etc.

Required Paperwork

  • Aadhaar Card
  • PAN Card
  • Income Certificate
  • Residence Proof (Domicile)

Common Questions

What is the 'Vaishvik Bharatiya Vaigyanik (VAIBHAV) Fellowship'?

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.

What is the duration of the VAIBHAV Fellowship?

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.

What are the research areas covered under the VAIBHAV Fellowship?

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:

What is the emolument provided under the programme?

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.

Are there additional benefits for international travel?

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.

What accommodation arrangements are made for VAIBHAV Fellows during their stay 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.

Is there any provision for research-related expenses during the fellowship?

Yes, VAIBHAV Fellows receive a contingency grant of [?]1,00,000 per year for research-related expenditures in India.

Are there provisions for domestic travel within India for academic purposes?

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.

How is the financial support structured for the host institution?

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.

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.

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.

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.

What are the criteria for the applicant's current or past employment?

For VAIBHAV Fellow Applicants: | - 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. | - 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. | - 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. | - 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.

Which institutions are eligible to host VAIBHAV Fellows?

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.

How to apply under the programme?

The call is open for proposal submission under VAIBHAV Fellowship at ePMS (https://onlinedst.gov.in).