Prime Minister’s Fellowship for Doctoral Research
A prestigious public-private fellowship by ANRF (DST) and CII offering enhanced stipend (₹55,000–₹72,800/month) for full-time PhD scholars conducting industry-relevant research, with 50% co-funding from a partner company.
About this scheme
The Prime Minister’s Fellowship for Doctoral Research (PMFDR) is a flagship public-private partnership initiative of the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF), Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India, implemented by the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI). The scheme aims to attract talented scholars into doctoral research by providing a substantially enhanced fellowship — approximately double the standard JRF/SRF rates — with 50% contributed by the Government and 50% by an industry partner. Fellows receive a monthly stipend ranging from ₹55,000 to ₹72,800 (depending on HRA), for a maximum duration of four years. The scheme encourages PhD scholars to work on innovative research problems with clear industrial application and commercialisation potential. Up to 100 new fellowships are awarded each year. The applicant must be a full-time PhD scholar registered at a recognised Indian university or research institution, must apply within 14 months of PhD registration, and must secure an industry partner willing to co-fund and mentor the research. The scheme is open-ended with multiple selection cycles throughout the year.
Eligibility
- Citizenship: Must be an Indian national
- PhD enrolment: Must be a full-time PhD scholar registered at a recognised Indian university, institute, or research laboratory
- Registration timeline: PhD registration date must not be more than 14 months prior to the date of application submission
- Industry partner: Must have a valid industry partner (company registered under Indian Companies Act) willing to co-fund 50% of the fellowship and provide mentorship
- Research proposal: Proposed research must be innovative, have industrial relevance, commercialisation potential, and high scientific merit
- Exclusivity: Must not be receiving any other fellowship or salary concurrently after selection
Benefits
- Enhanced monthly stipend of ₹55,000 to ₹72,800 (depending on HRA) — approximately double standard JRF/SRF rates
- Total fellowship value of up to ₹12.49 lakh per annum per fellow
- 50% government contribution (ANRF/DST) matching prevailing JRF/SRF + HRA norms
- 50% industry partner contribution providing joint funding and mentorship
- Maximum duration of 4 years leading to the award of a PhD degree
- Exposure to industry best practices, innovation, and commercial R&D
- Industry mentor appointed as co-supervisor alongside academic supervisor
- Opportunity to work with/in the partner company during the research period
Required documents
- Recent passport-size photograph
- PhD admission/registration certificate
- Class 10, 12, graduation, and post-graduation certificates
- No Objection Certificate (NOC) from host institution
- Undertaking from academic supervisor and head of institution
- Letter of commitment from industry partner (on company letterhead)
- CV of PhD scholar
- CV of academic supervisor (including publications and projects)
- CV of industry mentor
- Detailed research synopsis demonstrating industrial application
- Partner company profile and balance sheet
- List of publications (if any)(optional)
Frequently asked
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