VAIBHAV Fellowship 2026: ₹4,00,000 per month, 3-year collaboration

At a glance

About the scheme

The VAIBHAV Fellowship is a central programme run by the Department of Science and Technology. It brings scientists from the Indian diaspora to collaborate with Indian higher educational institutions, universities and public research labs. Fellows spend up to two months each year, for a maximum of three years, at a host institution in India. The fellowship covers a monthly stipend of ₹4,00,000, business‑class international travel, furnished accommodation, a yearly contingency for research, and domestic travel for academic visits. Host institutions receive institutional support of up to ₹5 Lakhs per year for consumables, contingency and overhead. Applicants must be NRIs, PIOs or OCIs, hold a PhD/M.D./M.S./M.Tech from a recognised university, be actively engaged in research, and have at least five years of experience in a top‑200 QS ranked institute or reputable industry abroad.

Benefits

• Monthly stipend of ₹4,00,000 for up to 2 months per year
• Business‑class international travel once a year
• Fully furnished accommodation with allowance up to ₹7,500 per day
• Yearly contingency of ₹1,00,000 for research expenditure
• Domestic travel in economy class to two Indian academic institutes per year
• Institutional support of up to ₹5 Lakhs per year for host institution

Who can apply (eligibility)

• Non‑Resident Indian (NRI), Person of Indian Origin (PIO) or Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) currently working abroad
• Ph.D., M.D., M.S. or M.Tech degree from a recognised university
• Actively engaged in research
• At least 5 years of experience in a top‑200 QS ranked institute or reputable industry abroad (not a PhD or post‑doc)

Documents required

• Statement of Purpose (one-page max.)
• Bio-data of Applicant in the prescribed format (two pages max.)
• List of recent publications of the applicant (last three years) with impact factors
• Copy of Valid Passport
• Academic Qualification – Copy of certificate for highest degree
• Experience Certificate
• Undertaking by the applicant in the prescribed format
• No-objection certificate from the parent institute
• Consent letter from the Host Institute in India
• CV of the host scientist /faculty (two pages max.)
• List of recent publications of the host scientist/faculty (last three years) with impact factors

How to apply

1. 1Submit the application online to the Department of Science and Technology (DST).
2. 2Download the proposal formats from https://dst.gov.in/ or https://onlinedst.gov.in/Projectproposalformat.aspx?Id=2317.
3. 3Register on the online portal with an active e‑mail ID to apply for the VAIBHAV Fellowship.
4. 4Create a password using the auto‑generated ID and link sent to your e‑mail.
5. 5Submit the completed application form and all relevant information through the e‑PMS portal of the DST.
6. 6Ensure the host scientist applies on behalf of the Indian diaspora and that all documents are uploaded.
7. 7After submission, note the Temporary Project Number (TPN) for future references.
8. 8Follow any updates on the official DST website.
9. 9

Frequently asked questions