Visvesvaraya Young Faculty Research Fellowship 2026: ₹20,000 Monthly Fellowship & ₹5 Lakh Grant
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Quick answer
The Young Faculty Research Fellowship (YFRF) under the Visvesvaraya PhD Scheme provides regular faculty members with a monthly research fellowship of ₹20,000 and an annual contingency grant of ₹5,00,000. It supports up to 50 researchers in the ESDM and IT/ITES sectors for up to five years. Nominations must be officially submitted online by eligible host institutions through the PhD Cell portal.
At a glance
| Main benefit | ₹20,000 monthly plus ₹5,00,000 annual grant |
| Ministry / department | Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology |
| Level | Central Government |
| Age | Up to 40 years |
| Application mode | Online |
About the scheme
Implemented by the Digital India Corporation under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, the Young Faculty Research Fellowship aims to boost research and development in Electronics System Design & Manufacturing (ESDM) and IT/IT Enabled Services (IT/ITES). The fellowship is designed for promising young faculty holding regular positions in recognised Indian academic and R&D institutions. It provides financial support alongside the researcher's regular salary for an initial period of two years, with possible extension up to five years based on annual performance reviews.
Benefits
- Monthly research fellowship of ₹20,000, paid in addition to regular institutional salary.
- Research contingency grant of ₹5,00,000 per year for minor equipment, consumables, and domestic travel.
- Financial support for an initial term of 2 years, extendible up to a total of 5 years upon performance review.
- Provisioned coverage for 50 selected fellows across eligible institutions in India.
Who can apply (eligibility)
- Applicant must be an Indian citizen.
- Must hold a PhD degree from a recognised university with first class grades at all preceding levels and a consistently good academic track record.
- Must hold a regular faculty position in an eligible academic or R&D institution and be actively engaged in research.
- Maximum age limit is 40 years as of the application submission date.
- Research domain must be in Electronics System Design & Manufacturing (ESDM) or IT/ITES.
- Candidate must not have availed YFRF under the Visvesvaraya PhD Scheme earlier.
- Candidate must not be receiving any other government or non-government fellowship during the tenure.
Who cannot apply
- Direct individual applications without institutional nomination are not accepted.
- Faculty availing any other fellowship from government or non-government sources.
- Candidates who have already availed YFRF under this scheme previously in their career.
- Candidates over 40 years of age on the date of nomination submission.
Documents required
- Since nominations are submitted by eligible institutions, applicants must check with their respective host institutions for internal document requirements.
- Research proposal with clearly defined objectives, outcomes, and deliverables.
- PhD degree certificate and academic marksheets demonstrating first-class record.
- Proof of regular employment at the nominating institution.
- Age verification certificate or document.
How to apply
- 1Eligible host institutions track the official Call for Proposals notified on the web portal https://phd.dic.gov.in/.
- 2The prospective faculty member prepares the research proposal with clear milestones and deliverables in consultation with their institution.
- 3The institution screens candidates and shortlists up to a maximum of three nominations per call.
- 4The institution submits the completed application and nomination files online through the official portal https://phd.dic.gov.in/.
- 5The PhD Cell evaluates nominations through an expert committee to select candidates for fellowship awards.
Frequently asked questions
What is the financial assistance provided under YFRF?+
Fellows receive ₹20,000 per month over and above their regular salary, along with a contingency grant of ₹5,00,000 per year.
What is the maximum duration of the fellowship?+
The award is initially given for 2 years and can be extended up to a maximum of 5 years based on an annual performance review.
What is the age limit to apply for YFRF?+
The applicant must be no older than 40 years on the date the application is submitted.
Can individual faculty apply directly without their institution?+
No, nominations must be submitted strictly through eligible academic or research institutions via the official portal.
Can faculty from private institutions participate?+
Yes, faculty from private institutions can participate provided both the institution and the applicant satisfy the scheme eligibility guidelines.
Can the fellowship be transferred to another institution?+
No, YFRF is non-transferable and the research must be carried out at the nominating eligible institution.
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