The Central Government’s E-YUVA Innovation Fellowship is a big opportunity for postgraduate and postdoctoral researchers. This fellowship is part of the E-YUVA scheme of the Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council, known as BIRAC. Its aim is to give young researchers funding, technical mentoring and entrepreneurship training for biotech innovation. Selected fellows work full-time at an E-YUVA Centre and try to turn their research idea into a product or technology.
How much money is given
The fellowship amount depends on the academic qualification. Postgraduate fellows get ₹30,000 a month and postdoctoral fellows get ₹50,000 a month. A separate research grant is also given.
- Postgraduate fellow: ₹30,000 per month and ₹3 lakh per year research grant
- Postdoctoral fellow: ₹50,000 per month and ₹5 lakh per year research grant
- Duration: 18 months, with a 6-month extension possible
- Work: full-time at an E-YUVA Centre
- Preference: up to 3 E-YUVA Centres can be preferred
Who can apply
The eligibility conditions are as follows.
- Postgraduate degree holders who apply within 3 years of their master’s degree
- Postdoctoral applicants who apply within 2 years of their PhD
- The time limit does not apply to women applicants
- Students currently doing a postgraduate degree or PhD are not eligible
- The research proposal should be linked to biotech, such as health, agriculture, diagnostics or energy
- Selection is done through a national-level application and shortlisting process
The applicant has to give the research proposal, academic details and preferred E-YUVA Centres. The aim of the research should be to solve a societal or industrial problem.
How to apply
Applications are made through the online portal of BIRAC. The applicant has to register on the portal and upload the research proposal and documents. The fourth national call opened on 1 October 2026 and closed on 31 October 2026 at 5:30 PM. The official website of BIRAC now says there are no active calls. New applications for 2026 are therefore no longer accepted. When the next call comes, a notification will be issued on the BIRAC website, so interested researchers should keep checking the BIRAC website.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: How much money is given under the E-YUVA Innovation Fellowship? A: Postgraduate fellows get ₹30,000 a month and a ₹3 lakh yearly grant, and postdoctoral fellows get ₹50,000 a month and a ₹5 lakh yearly grant. Q2: What is the duration of the fellowship? A: The fellowship lasts 18 months, with a 6-month extension possible. The work is full-time at an E-YUVA Centre. Q3: Who can apply for this fellowship? A: Postgraduates within 3 years of their master’s degree and postdocs within 2 years of their PhD. The time limit does not apply to women applicants. Q4: Can current students apply? A: No, students currently doing a postgraduate degree or PhD are not eligible for this fellowship.
Useful links
- Scheme details on MyScheme: https://www.myscheme.gov.in/schemes/e-yuvasbiraciffpga
- BIRAC website: https://www.birac.nic.in/e_yuva.php
- Also see — Biotechnology Ignition Grant for startups: https://www.viksitharyana.com/english/central-government-biotechnology-ignition-grant-haryana/
- Also see — Vikram Sarabhai Post-Doctoral Fellowship: https://www.viksitharyana.com/english/central-government-vikram-sarabhai-postdoctoral-fellowship-haryana/
- Complete list of all 726 Central Government schemes: https://www.viksitharyana.com/english/kendra-sarkar-ki-yojnayen-2/
