(VAJRA) Visiting Advanced Joint Research Faculty Scheme 2025

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The Visiting Advanced Joint Research (VAJRA) Faculty Scheme was launched by the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India, to enhance the international collaboration within India’s research and development (R&D) ecosystem. This scheme offers adjunct/visiting faculty positions to overseas scientists, faculty members, and R&D professionals, including Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) and Overseas Citizens of India (OCI), to engage in collaborative research with publicly funded academic and research institutions in India.

Benefits of the VAJRA Scheme

1. Residency Duration and Financial Support

  1. Minimum Residency: 1 month
  2. Maximum Residency: 3 months
  3. Financial Support:
    1. First month: $15,000
    2. Subsequent months: $10,000 per month
    3. Additional support: Host institutions may provide assistance for travel, accommodation, and medical insurance

2. Return Visit of Indian Faculty to VAJRA Faculty’s Institution

  1. One research visit (not exceeding 30 days)
  2. Support includes:
    1. Economy airfare (up to ₹1.5 lakhs)
    2. Per diem and accommodation expenses (as per SERB norms)

3. Student Mobility for Doctoral & Postdoctoral Researchers

  1. Up to two students (doctoral or postdoctoral level) can visit the VAJRA Faculty’s institute.
  2. Duration: 3 to 6 months
  3. Support includes:
    1. Return economy airfare
    2. One-time contingency grant of ₹60,000/-
    3. Fellowship as per SERB norms

4. Research Contingency Grant for Indian Host Institution :₹5 lakhs per year for research expenses per VAJRA Faculty.

5. Support for Lectures and Knowledge Sharing : ₹1 lakh per year for the VAJRA Faculty to deliver lectures and seminars in their area of expertise at the host institution.

Eligibility Criteria

For VAJRA Faculty (Overseas Scientists/Faculty)

  1. Must be an active researcher in a leading academic, research, or industrial organization.
  2. Must have a strong track record in research and development (R&D).
  3. Open to Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) and Overseas Citizens of India (OCI).

For Indian Collaborators

  1. Must be a regular faculty/researcher in an Indian academic or research institution.
  2. Collaborators from the Top 10 Private Institutions (as per NIRF rankings) can apply if the institution contributes 50% of the cost.

Application Process

Online Application Steps

  1. Application Period: Applications can be submitted throughout the year.
  2. Identify a Collaborator: The Indian collaborator must identify an appropriate overseas faculty/researcher and jointly develop a research plan.
  3. Submission Portal: The Lead Indian collaborator submits the application at www.serbonline.in.
  4. Registration: The Indian collaborator must register on the SERB online portal (Click here to register).
  5. Additional Collaborators: If multiple Indian collaborators are involved, they must register on the SERB portal and complete their profile details.
  6. Form Submission: Select Scheme: VAJRA in the online submission form.
  7. Document Uploads:
    • Endorsement certificate from the Indian institution.
    • Consent letter from the overseas faculty’s institution.
  8. Acceptance by Overseas Faculty: Once submitted, the overseas faculty receives a link to review and accept the application.
  9. Evaluation and Selection: The SERB Committee meets twice a year to evaluate applications. Results are announced accordingly.

Documents Required

  1. Passport-size Photograph
  2. Curriculum Vitae (CV) of VAJRA Faculty (including qualifications, research experience, awards, and ten key publications)
  3. Technical Details of the Proposed Research Work
  4. Certificate from Lead Indian Collaborator
  5. Endorsement Letter from the Indian Collaborator’s Institution
  6. Consent Letter from VAJRA Faculty’s Institution
  7. Any Other Supporting Documents

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Can a faculty member invite multiple overseas researchers under VAJRA?
Yes, there is no restriction on the number of overseas faculty members a host institution can invite under VAJRA.

Q2: Which agency implements the VAJRA Faculty Scheme?
The Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB), Department of Science & Technology (DST), Government of India.

Q3: Can private or NGO-based institutions apply for the VAJRA Scheme?
Yes, private institutions ranked in the Top 10 of NIRF can apply if they co-fund 50% of the costs.

Q4: Are research grants available beyond the VAJRA Faculty’s remuneration?
Yes, an additional research grant of ₹5.0 lakhs per year is provided to the Indian host institution for collaborative research.

Q6: Are there tax implications on the VAJRA Faculty remuneration?
Yes, remuneration received under VAJRA is subject to taxation as per the Indian tax laws.

Q7: Can an eligible person be a VAJRA Faculty in multiple applications?
Yes, the same researcher may apply as VAJRA Faculty for multiple host institutions.

Q8: Can an Indian collaborator be from a different institution than the host institution?
Yes, Indian collaborators can be from different institutions, provided the lead collaborator is from the host institution.

Q9: What is the duration of the VAJRA Faculty engagement?
The engagement period is between 1 to 3 months per year.

Sources and References

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