The Overseas Visiting Doctoral Fellowship (OVDF) is a programme by the Ministry of Science and Technology aimed at building national capacity in frontier areas of science and engineering. The fellowship provides research training to full-time PhD students from recognized Indian institutions by allowing them to work at reputable overseas universities or research institutions. It facilitates exposure to advanced research facilities and promotes long-term international collaborations, which in turn helps in strengthening national R&D programmes.
Objectives
- Capacity Building:
Enhance the skills of PhD students by providing them with access to top-class research facilities overseas. - International Exposure:
Enable performing Indian research students to gain exposure to advanced research environments and methodologies. - Collaboration:
Create opportunities for long-term R&D linkages and collaborations with accomplished scientists and technologists worldwide. - Expertise Utilization:
Tap into the expertise gained during the overseas visit to strengthen or initiate national research programmes.
Duration of Fellowship
- Standard Duration:
Up to 12 months. - Extension:
In exceptional cases, the fellowship may be extended by an additional 6 months, subject to performance evaluation.
Benefits
- Monthly Fellowship:
Selected fellows receive a monthly fellowship equivalent to US $2000. - One-Time Allowance:
A one-time contingency/preparatory allowance of ₹60,000 is provided to cover visa fees, airport transfers, medical insurance, etc. - Airfare:
The fellowship covers the cost of the shortest route economy class airfare from the student’s place of work in India to the host institute and back. - Supervisor Visits:
Provision for one visit each by the Indian supervisor to the overseas institution and by an overseas faculty to the Indian host institution.- Travel for Supervisors:
Shortest route round-trip economy airfare not exceeding ₹1.5 lakhs per round trip. Additional costs must be borne by the visitor. - Per-Diem and Accommodation:
Specific per-diem and accommodation allowances are provided for these visits based on duration and role (details available in the official guidelines).
- Travel for Supervisors:
- Note:
For scientists in regular employment, their existing salary, leave, medical benefits, gratuity, GPF pension, etc., remain as per the norms of their institution; SERB does not assume liability for these.
Eligibility
- Citizenship:
The scheme is open to Indian nationals only. - Academic Requirement:
Applicants must be registered for a full-time PhD degree in Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics (including Medicine, Pharma, Agriculture, and related S&T areas) at a recognized Indian institution. - Exclusions:
Part-time and sponsored students, as well as students who have already submitted their thesis for the PhD degree, are not eligible. - Additional Conditions:
- Selected fellows must not draw their regular research fellowship from India during the overseas period.
- The exchange visit of the supervisors must occur during the PhD tenure, with each supervisor spending at least two weeks and not more than 30 days at the respective foreign institute.
- The Indian institution must provide necessary facilities (equipment, infrastructure, research personnel, etc.) and administrative support.
- Only one OVDF application per call is supported by a Purdue faculty.
Application Process
Mode: Offline
- Invitation for Applications:
Applications are invited from PhD students planning to work with overseas institutions with which SERB has signed an Agreement/MoU. - Direct Applications:
Students intending to undertake research visits to specified partner universities (e.g., Purdue University, University of Alberta) should apply directly to the respective university as per their guidelines. - Submission:
Applicants must follow the detailed procedure as provided in the official notification. For further details, contact the Programme Coordinator at SERB:- Address: 3rd & 4th Floor, Block II, Technology Bhawan, New Mehrauli Road, New Delhi-110016
- Email: [email protected]
- Phone: 011-2655 2210 / 011-2655 2135
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
-
What are the main objectives of the OVDF scheme?
To build national capacity by exposing PhD students to advanced research environments overseas and fostering long-term international collaborations. -
Which agency implements the scheme?
The scheme is implemented by the Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB), Ministry of Science and Technology. -
Who is eligible to apply for the fellowship?
Full-time PhD students from recognized Indian institutions in STEM fields (including Medicine, Pharma, Agriculture, etc.) are eligible. Part-time or sponsored students and those who have submitted their thesis are not eligible. -
What is the duration of the fellowship?
The fellowship typically lasts up to 12 months, with a possible extension of 6 months in exceptional cases. -
What financial support is provided?
Monthly fellowship of US $2000, a one-time allowance of ₹60,000, economy class airfare for round-trip travel, and additional support for supervisor visits. -
Can the research grant be used for international travel?
The fellowship covers only the airfare from the work location in India to the host institution and back; additional arrangements for accommodation and other expenses must be made by the student. -
What happens with the supervisors’ visits?
Each selected fellow’s Indian supervisor and a faculty from the overseas host institution can visit each other’s institutions. Allowances for these visits are provided as per the guidelines. -
How do I apply for the OVDF Fellowship?
Applications are submitted offline as per the official guidelines. Specific instructions and contact details are provided in the official notification.