Prime Minister’s Research Fellows (PMRF) Scheme

• 23 Jul 2019

In order to attract meritorious students into research, Government of India, in 2018 launched Prime Minister’s Research Fellows (PMRF) Scheme, which offers direct admission to such students in the Ph.D programmes in IITs, IISERs and IISc.

• The scheme is aimed at attracting the talent pool of the country to doctoral (Ph.D.) programmes for carrying out research in cutting edge science and technology domains, with focus on national priorities.
• Under the scheme, students who have completed, or are pursuing, the final year of four year undergraduate or five year integrated M.Tech or five year integrated M.Sc. or five year undergraduate-postgraduate dual degree programmes or two year M.Sc. programmes in Science and Technology streams from IIEST/IISc/IITs/NITs/IISERs and centrally funded IIITs or any other Institute / University recognized in India, are eligible for admission to full time Ph.D. programme in the IISc, IISERs and IITs.
• A fellowship of Rs.70,000/- per month for the first two years, Rs.75,000/- per month for the 3^rd year, and Rs.80,000/- per month in the 4^th and 5^th year provided under the scheme.
• Apart from this, a research grant of Rs.2.00 lakh per year will be provided to each of the Fellows for a period of 5 years to cover their academic contingency expenses and for foreign/national travel expenses.
• With further modification, the scheme has been opened for eligible students from all recognized institutions/universities in the country.
• There will be a rigorous review of the performance of Prime Minister’s Research Fellowship holders and continuation of the next year fellowship shall be contingent upon successful review.
• For attracting highly skilled researchers and scientists to pursue their R&D interests in Indian Institutions, several initiatives have been launched such as:
  
  • CV Raman Post-Doctoral Fellowship Scheme by University Grants Commission (UGC),
  • Ramanujan Fellowship,
  • JC Bose Fellowship,
  • Young Scientist Project Award,
  • Women Scientist Scheme by Department of Science & Technology (DST), and
  • Global Initiative for Academic Network (GIAN) launched by MHRD, seeks to tap the talent pool of scientists and entrepreneurs from abroad, including those of Indian origin to augment the country’s existing academic resources.

Source: PIB