VAIshwik BHArtiya Vaigyanik (VAIBHAV) Fellowship
₹4L/month fellowship for NRI/OCI scientists · collaboration with top Indian institutions · up to 3 years
The VAIBHAV Fellowship brings Indian diaspora scientists (NRI/PIO/OCI) to collaborate with Indian universities and research institutions in cutting-edge fields like AI, quantum technologies, biotech, and advanced manufacturing. Fellows spend up to 2 months per year for up to 3 years at an Indian host institution. The host Indian institution applies through DST's e-PMS portal on behalf of the fellow.
About This Scheme
The VAIBHAV Fellowship brings Indian diaspora scientists (NRI/PIO/OCI) to collaborate with Indian universities and research institutions in cutting-edge fields like AI, quantum technologies, biotech, and advanced manufacturing. Fellows spend up to 2 months per year for up to 3 years at an Indian host institution. The host Indian institution applies through DST's e-PMS portal on behalf of the fellow.
Full official description
The “Vaishvik Bharatiya Vaigyanik (VAIBHAV) Fellowship” is a new programme which is implemented by the Department of Science & Technology, Ministry of Science and Technology, Government of India. This programme envisages collaboration between scientists of the Indian Diaspora with Indian Higher Educational Institutions (HEIs), Universities and/or Public Funded Scientific Institutions. The VAIBHAV Fellow would identify an Indian Institution for collaboration and may spend up to two months in a year for a maximum of 3 years. Research areas under which applications may be submitted: Proposals are sought in select identified verticals and horizontals of VAIBHAV (as mentioned in the preamble):
Quantum Technologies: Quantum Communication; Quantum Computing; Quantum Sensing and Metrology; Quantum Materials and Devices
Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning: Foundation of AI/ML; AI/ML and Signals; AI for Social Good; AI and Robotics
Computational Sciences: High-Performance Computing Architectures; Computational Atmospheric Sciences; Cyber-Physical Systems
Data Sciences: Data Science Project Management; Data Science Infrastructure, Deployment and Hosting; Data Privacy and Security; Data Science Education; Data Science Applications
Photonics: Photonic Devices; Optical Imaging and Bio-photonics; Photonic Materials and Sources; Nano-photonics; Integrated Photonics and Communication
Energy: Future Electricity Systems; Sustainable Mobility Technologies; Advanced Fossil Technologies; Sustainable Future Fuels
Electronics and Semiconductor Technologies: Semiconductor Materials and Process Technologies; Semiconductor Devices: Physics and Technology; Electronic Circuits and System Design
Communication Technologies: Cellular Evolution 5G and Beyond (THz Comm); Communication Technologies for IoT/CPS; High-Speed Optical Communication – backbone networks; Cognitive Technologies for Futuristic Communication
Aerospace Technologies: Aerospace Systems and Design; Propulsion Technologies; Flight Structure and Integrity; Modeling and Simulations; Unmanned Aerial Systems and Countermeasures
Materials and Processing Technologies: Structural Materials; Materials Recycling & Purification; Advanced & Functional Materials; Catalytic Materials & Processes; Computational Materials Science
Earth Sciences: Atmospheric Science; Polar Science; Ocean Science/Technology; Geo Science/Technology
Environmental Sciences: Air Quality Management; Water Quality Management; Soil and Waste Management; Carbon Sequestration and Biodiversity Conservation; Climate Change
Advanced Manufacturing Technologies: Smart Manufacturing, IoT, Digital Manufacturing; Additive Manufacturing; Precision/Micro-nano Manufacturing/Surface Engineering; Industrial Machines, Robotics/Automation; Speciality Products Manufacturing
Health, Medical Sciences and Biomedical Devices: Advanced Technologies in Health Care; Precision Health; Holistic Health; Remote and Rural Health - Reaching the Unreached
Pharmaceuticals and Bio-Technology: Biotherapeutics and Biosimilars; Industrial Biotechnology; Infectious Diseases/ Disease biology; Drug Discovery, Repurposing and Drug delivery
Agricultural Sciences: Precision Agriculture; Sustainable and Climate Smart Agriculture; Food Safety and Nutritional Security; Climate Resilient Livestock, Veterinary Therapeutics and Zoonoses control, Nanotechnology in sustainable agriculture and metabolic biology, Modern Fisheries and Aquaculture and seed production, Genome editing, Robotics, farm automation, Digital Agriculture
Social Sciences for SDGs: Behavioral Community Approaches & its impact on Societal Development; Societal aspect of Technology Development with cause; Socio-Economic aspect of Development
Management: Fostering academic collaborations; Mechanisms to increase R&D outputs from Indian institutions; Business innovation; Entrepreneurship for growth; Management of New-Age (Knowledge) Organizations; Making India R&D center of the world / Making India Center of Practice-Oriented Management Knowledge
Benefits
- Monthly fellowship of ₹4,00,000 (~USD 5,000) for up to 2 months per year (maximum 3 years)
- Business class international airfare from place of work to India once per year
- Fully furnished accommodation in guest house/hotel up to ₹7,500 per day
- Contingency of ₹1,00,000 per year for research expenses in India
- Domestic economy airfare to visit up to 2 Indian academic institutes per year
- ₹5 lakh per year for 3 years to the host institution for consumables, contingency, and overhead costs
💡 Why Startups Should Care
If you're a deep-tech or biotech founder and your co-founder or advisor is an NRI scientist, VAIBHAV can fund their India visits (up to 2 months/year, ₹4L/month) and their research at your affiliated IIT or CSIR lab — effectively subsidising R&D collaboration that would otherwise cost your startup significantly.
Who Can Apply (Eligibility)
- NRI, PIO, or OCI currently working abroad in academia or research
- Must hold a Ph.D, M.D, M.S, or M.Tech degree from a recognised university
- Must be actively engaged in research
- Either: employed at a top-200 QS World University (subject-wise) for 5+ years in a regular/tenure role; OR working in a reputed industry or research lab abroad for 5+ years (not as a PhD or postdoc fellow)
- Host institution must be a top-200 NIRF-ranked university, NAAC A+ or above accredited institution, or a public-funded national research laboratory
Exclusions
- Not available to PhD or post-doctoral fellows working abroad (must be in regular/tenure employment)
- Only for NRI, PIO, or OCI scientists — Indian citizens residing in India are not eligible
- Host institution must be in top 200 NIRF overall or hold NAAC 'A+' grade, or be a public-funded national laboratory
How to Apply
- Visit dst.gov.in or onlinedst.gov.in and download the VAIBHAV Fellowship proposal format.
- Register on the DST e-PMS portal at onlinedst.gov.in using your active email ID.
- Set your password via the auto-generated link sent to your email.
- Complete the application form online and submit it through the e-PMS portal — note the Temporary Project Number (TPN) generated on submission.
- The Host Indian Institution scientist applies on behalf of the diaspora scientist (DST releases funds to the host institution).
- Applications are reviewed by a Review Committee; shortlisted applicants may be invited for an online presentation.
- Final selections are approved by the VAIBHAV Apex Committee.
Frequently Asked 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).
Ready to apply?
Visit the official government portal to apply for this scheme.
Apply on myScheme.gov.inDocuments Required
- Statement of Purpose (max 1 page)
- Bio-data in the prescribed format (max 2 pages)
- List of recent publications (last 3 years) with impact factors
- Valid passport copy
- Highest academic qualification certificate
- Experience certificate
- Undertaking in the prescribed format
- No-objection certificate from the parent institute abroad
- Consent letter from the Host Indian Institution
- CV of the host scientist/faculty (max 2 pages)
- List of recent publications of the host scientist (last 3 years) with impact factors