Overseas Visiting Doctoral Fellowship
The Overseas Visiting Doctoral Fellowship (OVDF) by SERB sends full-time Indian PhD students to partner overseas universities for up to 12 months of advanced research training in their area of study. Fellows receive USD 2,000/month plus a ₹60,000 contingency allowance and round-trip economy airfare. Apply directly to partner institutions (Purdue University, USA or University of Alberta, Canada) when calls are announced.
About This Scheme
The Overseas Visiting Doctoral Fellowship (OVDF) by SERB sends full-time Indian PhD students to partner overseas universities for up to 12 months of advanced research training in their area of study. Fellows receive USD 2,000/month plus a ₹60,000 contingency allowance and round-trip economy airfare. Apply directly to partner institutions (Purdue University, USA or University of Alberta, Canada) when calls are announced.
Full official description
Objectives:
- To build national capacity in frontier areas of Science and Engineering, which are of interest to India by providing research training to PhD students admitted in Indian institutions in overseas universities/institutions of repute.
- To provide an opportunity for performing Indian research students to gain exposure and access to top-class research facilities in academia and labs in specific Overseas Universities.
- To create opportunities to build long-term R&D linkages and collaborations with accomplished scientists and technologists from around the world.
- To tap the expertise gained by these young scientists to strengthen/initiate national programmes in their domain knowledge.
Duration of Fellowship:
- The duration of the research training is up to a period of twelve months. In exceptional circumstances, the fellowship may be extended for six more months' subject to performance evaluation.
Benefits
- USD 2,000 per month fellowship for up to 12 months (extendable by 6 months in exceptional cases)
- ₹60,000 one-time contingency allowance (for visa, medical insurance, airport transfer)
- Round-trip economy class airfare to the overseas host institution
- Funded visit by Indian supervisor to the overseas institution (airfare + per diem + accommodation)
- Funded return visit by the overseas faculty to the student's Indian institution
Who Can Apply (Eligibility)
- Must be an Indian national enrolled as a full-time PhD student at a recognized Indian institution in STEM, Medicine, Pharma, or Agriculture
- Part-time and sponsored PhD students are NOT eligible
- Students who have already submitted their PhD thesis are NOT eligible
- Must secure an acceptance letter from one of the SERB partner overseas universities (currently Purdue University, USA and University of Alberta, Canada)
- Must not draw regular research fellowship in India during the OVDF tenure
How to Apply
Application Procedure:
Step 01: Applications are invited from Ph.D. students to work with Overseas Institutions who had signed an Agreement / MoU with SERB for student mobility. Step 02: The applicants who intend to undertake a research visit to the following Universities with whom SERB had signed an MoU should apply directly to the University: **
- Purdue University, West Lafayette, USA** Contact Person: Ms. Heidi Arola (harola@purdue.edu), Director for Global Partnerships. More Details available at: http://www.purdue.edu/india/ 2. University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada Contact Person: Ms. Nicole Dewart (uaissp@ualberta.ca), Senior Coordinator, Sponsored Student Program More Details available at: https://www.ualberta.ca/international/international-relations/asia/student-mobility/serb/serb-students
Selection Procedure:
The selection would be made among students who obtained an offer letter from an overseas institution to carry out research in chosen areas of interest to India. Note 01: Purdue faculty may support only one OVDF application per call. Note 02: The OVDF applicant should contact the above Universities for undertaking this fellowship.
Contact Person:
The contact details of Programme Officer at SERB is given below: Programme Coordinator, Overseas VDF, Science and Engineering Research Board 3rd & 4th Floor, Block II, Technology Bhavan, New Mehrauli Road, New Delhi-110016 Email : ovdf@serb.gov.in , Phone : 011 - 2655 2210, 011 - 2655 2135
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the objectives of the Scheme?
The following are the objectives of the scheme: To build national capacity in frontier areas of Science and Engineering, which are of interest to India by providing research training to PhD students admitted in Indian institutions in overseas universities/institutions of repute. To provide an opportunity for performing Indian research students to gain exposure and access to top-class research facilities in academia and labs in specific Overseas Universities. To create opportunities to build long-term R&D linkages and collaborations with accomplished scientists and technologists from around the world. To tap the expertise gained by these young scientists to strengthen/ initiate national programmes in their domain knowledge.
Which is the implementing agency of this scheme?
Science and Engineering Research Board, Government of India
What are the eligibility criteria for applying/availing the Fellowship?
The scheme is open to Indian nationals only. The applicant should have registered for full-time Ph.D. Degree in any of the recognized Institutions / Universities in India in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (including Medicine, Pharma, Agriculture and related S&T areas) disciplines. Part-time and sponsored students are not considered under the Program. Also students who have submitted their thesis for award of the Degree of Ph.D. are not eligible to apply.
What are the areas covered under this Fellowship?
All areas of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (including Medicine, Pharma, Agriculture and related S&T areas) disciplines will be covered by this fellowship.
What is the nature of support for the Fellow?
The selected fellows will be paid a monthly fellowship amount equivalent to US $ 2000, one-time Contingency/Preparatory allowances of [?]60,000/- to cover visa fee, airport transfer charges, medical insurance etc. The selected fellows will also be provided shortest route economy class air fare from their place of work in India to the place of the host institute and back. Students should make their own arrangement for accommodation etc.
Will SERB provide any leave, medical, etc. to the Supervisor of the fellowship awardee during his/her visit to the Overseas Host Institute?
For supervisors who are in regular employment, rules governing payment of salary, leave, medical, gratuity, GPF and pension etc. of the organization/ institution/ university to which the fellow belongs would continue to be applicable. No liability on any of these accounts will be borne by SERB.
When can we apply for the OVD Fellowship Programme? Is it open throughout the year?
The application for consideration under the Overseas Visiting Doctoral Fellowship Program (OVDF) can be submitted only when the call for application is made by Purdue University, West Lafayette, USA and University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada.
Can the Fellowship awardee claim their regular institute fellowship while during OVDF period?
The selected fellows while taking up the SERB overseas fellowship should not draw their regular research fellowship in India.
When should the selected fellows start their OVDF Fellowship?
The candidates selected for the award of the fellowship should commence their research in the overseas institution as per the letter of offer given by Purdue University, West Lafayette, USA and University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada.
Is there any time limit to the visit of Supervisors to their respective Overseas Institutes?
The exchange visit of the supervisors should be during the tenure of the Ph.D. work of the applicant. Both supervisors should ensure a residency period of at least two weeks and not exceeding 30 days in their respective foreign institutes.
Ready to apply?
Visit the official government portal to apply for this scheme.
Apply on myScheme.gov.inDocuments Required
- Identity proof of candidate
- Passport size photograph
- Passport
- Certificates of Educational Qualifications
- Details of Professional awards/recognition/fellowship
- Bank Account Details
- Any other document, as required