Govt launches new fellowship scheme to link R&D institutions with Indian STEMM diaspora

The Government has launched a new fellowship programme to connect the Indian STEMM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math & Medicine) diaspora with Indian academic and R&D institutions for collaborative research work leading to sharing of knowledge, wisdom, and best practices in the frontier areas of science & technology.

The Vaishvik Bhartiya Vaigyanik (VAIBHAV) fellowships programme to be implemented by the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Ministry of Science and Technology, would be awarded to outstanding scientist/technologists of Indian origin (NRI/OCI/PIO) who are engaged in research activities in their respective countries. The 75 selected fellows would be invited to work in 18 identified knowledge verticals including quantum technology, health, pharma, electronics, agriculture, energy, computer sciences, and material sciences amongst others.

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. Fellowship would include fellowship grant (INR 4,00,000 per month), international and domestic travel, accommodation and contingencies. The VAIBHAV fellows are expected to collaborate with their Indian counterparts and help initiate research activities in the host institution in the cutting-edge areas of Science and Technology.

The Government of India had organized the VAIBHAV Summit to connect Indian STEMM diaspora with Indian Institutions which was inaugurated by the Hon’ble PM and saw the participation of more than 25,000 attendees. Indian STEMM diaspora from more than 70 countries participated in the deliberations.

“The Government of India has taken numerous measures to boost Science, Research, and Innovation. Science is at the core of our efforts towards socio-economic transformations”, said Prime Minister Narendra Modi while addressing the gathering during VAIBHAV Summit.

The fellowship programme launched as a step to further those efforts by shaping and implementing the VAIBHAV programme, envisages collaboration between scientists of Indian Diaspora with Indian Higher Educational Institutions (HEIs), Universities, and/ or public funded Scientific Institutions. Applications for the first call are being invited through call for proposals from 15 June 2023 till 31 July 2023.

The applicant can download the proposal formats from websites www.dst.gov.in / www.onlinedst.gov.in and should submit completed application form and all relevant information through e-PMS portal of the DST.