Photo: Indian Navy (GODL-India), via Wikimedia Commons
The Central Government’s Ramanujan Fellowship is for brilliant Indian scientists and engineers who are working abroad and want to return to India for research. The fellowship is given by the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) — earlier under the Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB). It pays ₹1,35,000 a month, including HRA. A research grant of ₹7 lakh every year and ₹60,000 a year as overhead to the host institution are also given. The fellowship lasts for 5 years and cannot be extended. Fellows can work in any scientific institution in India. The 2026 nomination window closes on 31 December 2026 at 5 PM.
How much money is given
Under the Ramanujan Fellowship, ₹1,35,000 every month is paid — a consolidated amount that includes House Rent Allowance (HRA). A research grant of ₹7 lakh every year is also given, for equipment, travel, research personnel and contingency expenses. The host institution also gets ₹60,000 a year as overhead. Over 5 years, the fellowship can total ₹81 lakh and the research grant ₹35 lakh. Note: the fellow gets no salary during the fellowship. If a fellow takes up a permanent or contractual position in India during the fellowship, the fellowship ends.
Who can apply
The Ramanujan Fellowship is for scientists and engineers of Indian origin who are working abroad at the time of nomination. The nominee must be below 40 years of age at the time of nomination. The nominee should hold a higher degree such as a PhD in Science or Engineering, an ME or MTech or an MD in Medicine, or an equivalent qualification, along with adequate professional experience. The nominee’s research record must be outstanding and they must not hold a permanent, tenure-track or contractual position in any Indian institution. The fellowship is very selective — only scientists with a proven track record are chosen. The nomination is forwarded by the host institution — nominations from the applicant’s PhD guide or doctorate institution are not accepted.
How to apply
Applications are made on the ANRF online portal, anrfonline.in. First, get the agreement of a host institution in India — that institution will forward your nomination. Register on the portal and fill in your degrees, research publications, experience and research proposal. Nominations for 2026 are open till 31 December 2026 at 5 PM — check the latest status on anrfonline.in. Never pay anyone for applying. Selection is based on the research record and the proposal. Selected fellows receive a letter from ANRF, and the host institution is also informed. The joining period is stated in the letter.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: How much money is given under the Ramanujan Fellowship? A: ₹1,35,000 a month (including HRA) and a ₹7 lakh yearly research grant, plus ₹60,000 a year overhead to the host institution.
Q2: For how many years is the fellowship given? A: For 5 years — it cannot be extended.
Q3: Who can apply? A: Indian-origin scientists below 40 working abroad, with a PhD/ME/MTech/MD and no permanent position in India.
Q4: Where do I apply? A: On the ANRF portal anrfonline.in, with a nomination from a host institution; 2026 nominations close on 31 December 2026.
Useful links
- ANRF Online Portal: https://anrfonline.in/
- Ramanujan Fellowship on MyScheme: https://www.myscheme.gov.in/schemes/rf
- Also see the DST INSPIRE Fellowship: https://www.viksitharyana.com/english/central-government-inspire-fellowship-haryana/
- Next Action: see all 726 Central Government schemes — https://www.viksitharyana.com/english/kendra-sarkar-ki-yojnayen-2/
