VAIBHAV Fellowship Programme

Why is in news? VAIBHAV Fellowship Programme announced to connect Indian STEMM diaspora with Indian Higher Educational Institutions

The Government has launched a new fellowship programme to connect the Indian STEMM 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 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 Hon’ble PM Shri Narendra Modi while addressing the gathering during VAIBHAV Summit.

VAIBHAV Fellowship scheme:

The VAIBHAV Fellowship scheme will facilitate academic and research collaborations between Indian higher education institutions and leading institutions abroad.

This will help to boost India’s research capabilities, leading to innovative and impactful research in various fields.

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.

The scheme will promote the mobility of faculties or researchers from overseas institutions to India, allowing them to share their knowledge and expertise with Indian researchers.

The exchange will facilitate the transfer of knowledge, skills, and technology, helping to build a stronger and more vibrant research community in India.

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.

Eligibility Criteria:

To be eligible for the VAIBHAV Fellowship scheme, applicants must be non-resident Indians (NRIs), Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs), or Overseas Citizens of India (OCIs).

They must have obtained a Ph.D./M.D./M.S. degree from a recognized university and be currently engaged in an overseas academic, research, or industrial organization with a proven R&D track record.

Applicants must also plan to work for at least one month, up to a maximum of two months, each year at an Indian research/academic institution.

Fellowship would include fellowship grant (INR 4,00,000 per month), international and domestic travel, accommodation and contingencies.

This commitment will allow them to contribute their expertise to Indian research and academic institutions, promoting collaboration and knowledge-sharing.

Benefits:

The VAIBHAV Fellowship scheme will provide numerous benefits for both Indian and overseas researchers.

Indian researchers will benefit from access to cutting-edge research techniques and technologies, as well as exposure to different research cultures and methodologies.

Overseas researchers, in turn, will have the opportunity to engage with India’s rich cultural heritage and learn from its diverse population.

In addition to improving India’s research capabilities, the VAIBHAV Fellowship scheme will also foster international collaboration and promote the exchange of ideas across borders.

This will contribute to the global advancement of science and technology, helping to address some of the world’s most pressing challenges.