Ramanujan Fellowship 2025: Research Grants & Eligibility for Indian Scientists Returning from Abroad

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“Ramanujan Fellowship” is meant for brilliant Indian scientists and engineers from outside India to take up scientific research positions in India, those Indian scientists/engineers who want to return to India from abroad. The fellowship is scientist-specific and very selective. The Ramanujan Fellows could work in any of the scientific institutions and universities in the country and they would be eligible for receiving regular research grants through the extramural funding schemes of various S&T agencies of the Government of India.

Benefits:

  1. Fellowship Amount: ₹1,35,000/- per month (including HRA)

  2. Research Grant: ₹7,00,000/- per annum for consumables, travel, research personnel, and contingencies

  3. Overhead Charges: ₹60,000/- per annum

  4. Eligibility for Regular Grants: Ramanujan Fellows are eligible to receive regular research grants from various S&T agencies of the Government of India.

Duration of Fellowship: The duration of the fellowship will be for five years, and not extendable

Eligibility:

  1. The fellowship is open to brilliant Indian scientists and engineers from all over the world who are below the age of 40 years, who want to return to India from abroad.
  2. The applicant should possess a higher degree or equivalent, such as a Ph.D. in Science/Engineering, Master in Engineering or Technology/MD in Medicine, etc., and have adequate professional experience.
  3. These Fellowships are very selective and only those who have a proven/outstanding track record as evident from their research publications and recognitions would be eligible.
  4. In case a fellow is offered a permanent position, he/she will be ineligible for the fellowship.
  5. This fellowship is meant for working in new areas and laboratories in order to expand their research capabilities, other than the one, where the candidate has obtained his/her doctorate degree.
  6. Nominations from the Ph.D. guides of the candidate and nominations from the same institute where they opted for their Ph.D, will not be considered.
  7. The age of the candidate should not be more than 40 years.
  8. The candidate should be working abroad at the time of his nomination for the fellowship.
  9. The Fellowship is only for those scientists who are not holding any permanent/tenure track/contractual position in any Indian Institute/University.
Note: In case the selected fellow gets any position such as permanent, tenure track, or contractual position, he/she, will become ineligible for receiving fellowship including a research grant and overhead under the fellowship, and has to relinquish the Ramanujan fellowship in total.

Application Process:

Methodology for Nomination & Selection:

Step 01: The scientists can choose to work at any S&T Institution including University Departments or other Academic Institutions and National Laboratories in India, provided the Institution at which they wish to pursue research is willing to provide the necessary administrative and R&D basic infrastructural support to facilitate research.
Step 02: Individual Scientists and Technologists should approach the Institutions of his/her choice to host them for the fellowship and forward their nominations to SERB for the fellowship.
Step 03: Selection of Ramanujan Fellows will be made periodically by an empowered Search-cum-Selection Committee specially appointed for the purpose.
Note 01: Ramanujan Fellowship nominations are accepted throughout the year.
Note 02: This fellowship is meant for working in new areas and laboratories in order to expand their research capabilities, other than the one, where the candidate has obtained his/her doctorate degree.
Note 03: Nominations from Ph.D. guides of the candidate and nominations from the same institute where they opted for their Ph.D, will not be considered.

Online Application Procedure:

Step 01: The Nominee needs to register in the SERB online portal, www.serbonline.in, click here to register.
Step 02: After login, the Nominee needs to fill in all the mandatory fields in the Profile Details section under User Profile which includes Photo, Institution, Address, etc.
Step 03: Under Form Submission, choose Scheme: Ramanujan Fellowship, and fill out the Ramanujan Fellowship nomination form which includes details of Nominee Details, Qualification Details, Nominator Details, etc.
Step 04: Proposed area of research and a brief outline of the proposal of the Nominee to be uploaded in a single PDF file not more than 5 pages.
Step 05: After filling in the details, the Nominee should click on “Send to Nominator”.
Step 06: Nominators will receive intimation via email with a link to the SERB online portal, to view the filled-in Ramanujan Fellowship Nomination form.
Step 07: The nominator can choose to submit the nomination to SERB or resend the form to the Nominee for any revision.
Step 08: Once submitted, the Nominee and Nominator will receive an intimation regarding the successful submission.
Documents Required:
  1. Passport-size Photograph
  2. Proof of Age
  3. Educational Qualifications Details
  4. Details of any Awards or Honors
  5. Publications List
  6. Patent Information (if applicable)
  7. Nomination Letter (on official letterhead)
  8. CV of the Nominee
  9. Plagiarism Undertaking
  10. Other documents as requested

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):

Q1: Are the Ramanujan Fellowship grants taxable?
A1: Yes, the income tax regulations prevailing in India characterize the fellowship grant as taxable.
Q2: For what purpose does the Ramanujan Fellowship?
A2: The fellowship is to motivate exceptional Indian scientists and engineers overseas to return to India for research at the cutting edge in new areas.
Q3: How one can apply for the Ramanujan Fellowship?
A3: Online applications are to be submitted on the SERB Online Portal. The nominee must register and upload the documents.
Q3:What research areas are in focus under the Ramanujan Fellowship?
A4: Any field of scientific research pursued in India, especially in new areas of research not connected with the previous work output of the nominee.
Q5: Employable destinations for a Ramanujan Fellow
A5: Fellows have the liberty to be employed in any S&T institution in India, be it national labs, universities, or other academic spaces.
Q6: Are regular research funds available for application by Ramanujan Fellows?
A6: Ramanujan Fellows are eligible for application of regular research funds through various S&T ministries of the Indian government.
Q7: The fellowship continues for what duration?
A7: Five years is the fellowship, so it is not prolonged.
Q8: The fellowship is what?
Fellows receive ₹7,00,000/-annually for research grants along with ₹1,35,000/-including HRA.
Q9: Can a Ramanujan Fellow receive payment outside of the fellowship?
A9: In addition to receiving the fellowship, a Ramanujan Fellow cannot receive payment from any organization.
Q10: A Ramanujan Fellow can go abroad how many times?
A10: One foreign trip per year subject to availability of funds.
Q11: If a Ramanujan Fellow were to receive a permanent position in India, what would be the consequence?
A11:A fellow will forfeit eligibility for a fellowship and have to relinquish it whether selected for a permanent, tenure-track, or contractual appointment.

Sources and References:

  • Official Website: SERB Website

  • Contact Details:

    Member Secretary:
    Dr. Jacob V.V.
    Science and Engineering Research Board
    3rd & 4th Floor, Block II, Technology Bhavan, New Mehrauli Road,
    New Delhi-110016
    Tel: +91-11-26552216, Email: [email protected]
    Program Coordinator:
    Dr. Shashi Bhushan Pandey, Scientist ‘G’

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