Photo: Idaho National Laboratory, Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 2.0)
Many talented Indian scientists are doing research abroad, and several of them want to return to India. The Ramalingaswami Re-Entry Fellowship is for exactly those scientists. It is a scheme of the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), run through the Regional Centre for Biotechnology (RCB). Its aim is that scientists who have gained experience abroad should come back and do research in Indian laboratories and universities, strengthening research in the country. A selected fellow gets ₹1,00,000 a month as fellowship, ₹18,500 a month as HRA and a ₹13 lakh yearly research grant. The fellowship is for 3 years and can be extended by 2 more years on the basis of a review of the work.
How much money is given
The Ramalingaswami Fellowship is paid in several parts.
- Fellowship: ₹1,00,000 a month — paid directly into the bank account.
- HRA: ₹18,500 a month — as a housing allowance.
- Research grant: ₹13,00,000 a year — for research material, equipment and travel.
- Institutional overhead: ₹50,000 a year — paid to the host institute.
- Duration: 3 years, extendable by 2 more years after review.
These amounts follow the 2022 revised terms. Under the older rules the grant came in instalments; now a uniform yearly grant of ₹13 lakh is given.
Who can apply
This fellowship is only for Indian nationals who are working abroad.
- Indian nationals working abroad in life sciences or biotechnology.
- A PhD or MD degree and at least 3 years of post-doctoral experience overseas.
- Age not more than 45 years.
- A plan to do research at a recognised institute or university in India.
- Consent from a host institute in India, where the research will be carried out.
How to apply
Applications are made online on the rrfdbtindia.in portal. First contact a host institute and prepare a research proposal. Then fill the application on the portal and upload academic certificates, the research proposal and details of the work done abroad. Choose the host institute carefully, because that is where your laboratory and research facilities will be. There is no fixed annual date for this fellowship — calls are announced from time to time on the DBT website, so keep checking the portal for the new announcement. Never pay anyone for applying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: How much money is given under the Ramalingaswami Fellowship? A: ₹1,00,000 a month as fellowship, ₹18,500 a month as HRA and a ₹13 lakh yearly research grant. Q2: For how many years is the fellowship given? A: For 3 years, and it can be extended by 2 more years after a review. Q3: Who can apply? A: Indian nationals working abroad with a PhD or MD and at least 3 years of post-doctoral experience; age not more than 45 years. Q4: Where do I apply? A: On the rrfdbtindia.in portal; check the DBT website for the new call announcement.
Useful links
- Ramalingaswami Fellowship portal: https://www.rrfdbtindia.in/
- DBT official website: https://dbtindia.gov.in/
- Ramalingaswami Fellowship on MyScheme: https://www.myscheme.gov.in/schemes/rrf
- Also see the PMRF Fellowship: https://www.viksitharyana.com/english/central-government-pmrf-fellowship-haryana/
- Next Action: see all 726 Central Government schemes — https://www.viksitharyana.com/english/kendra-sarkar-ki-yojnayen-2/
