Sarkari Yojana
Visiting Advanced Joint Research Faculty Scheme
About Visiting Advanced Joint Research Faculty Scheme
The Department of Science and Technology, Government of India, launched the “Visiting Advanced Joint Research (VAJRA) Faculty Scheme” to strengthen international ties within India’s R&D ecosystem. It offers adjunct/visiting faculty positions to overseas scientists, faculty members and R&D professionals — including NRIs and OCIs — to pursue high-quality collaborative research at India’s publicly funded academic and research institutions. VAJRA Faculty work on cutting-edge science and technology, including priority interdisciplinary areas like energy, water, health, security, nutrition, and materials and manufacturing, alongside one or more Indian collaborators. They are expected to co-guide research students and may also contribute to technology development, innovation and start-ups. The Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB), a statutory body of the Department, implements the scheme.
Scheme Overview
Central Government
Ministry Of Science And Technology
Science And Engineering Research Board, Government Of India
Individual
08 Jan 2017
Scheme Details
Eligibility Requirements
To qualify for Visiting Advanced Joint Research Faculty Scheme, applicants must satisfy the following conditions:
The scheme is open to overseas scientists, faculty…
The scheme is open to overseas scientists, faculty members, and R&D professionals, including Non-resident Indians (NRI) and Overseas Citizens of India (OCI).
The overseas scientist/faculty must be an active researcher…
The overseas scientist/faculty must be an active researcher at a leading academic/research/industrial organization, with a proven R&D track record.
The Indian Collaborator(s) must be a regular faculty…
The Indian Collaborator(s) must be a regular faculty member/researcher at an academic/research institution.
Indian Collaborators from the Top 10 Private Institutions…
Indian Collaborators from the Top 10 Private Institutions per NIRF ranking are also eligible, provided the institute contributes 50% of the cost.
Benefits Provided
Visiting Advanced Joint Research Faculty Scheme provides the following benefits to eligible applicants:
VAJRA Faculty spend a minimum of 1 month…
VAJRA Faculty spend a minimum of 1 month and a maximum of 3 months in India.
VAJRA Faculty receive US$ 15000 in the first…
VAJRA Faculty receive US$ 15000 in the first month of engagement and US$ 10000 p.m. for the following two months; while travel, accommodation, and medical/personal insurance aren't separately funded, the host institute may offer additional support.
Return visit of Indian faculty to the Institute of VAJRA Faculty:
One research visit by the Indian host to the VAJRA Faculty's institute, lasting at least a week and up to 30 days, is supported, with the Board covering return economy airfare (not exceeding ₹1.5 lakhs) and accommodation as per Board norms. 1. Student mobility (Doctoral & Postdoctoral Level: Across labs): A collaborative research visit by not more than 2 students — doctoral (preferably co-advised) or post-doctoral, after 2 years of engagement — from the Indian host's research group to the VAJRA Faculty's institute, lasting three to six months, is supported, with the Board covering a return economy airfare, a one-time contingency grant of ₹60,000/-, and a fellowship as per Board norms. 1. Research Contingency Grant to the hosting Indian Collaborator: ₹5.0 lakhs per year of the VAJRA Faculty's research visit is also given to the Indian host, to cover collaborative research expenses. 1. Support to engage VAJRA Faculty to give lectures in his/her area of expertise in the host Institute: Up to ₹1.0 lakh per year is provided to support this activity.
Documents Required
Applicants should keep the following documents ready before starting the application:
A passport-size photograph
A passport-size photograph.
The VAJRA Faculty member's CV, covering academic qualifications,…
The VAJRA Faculty member's CV, covering academic qualifications, research experience, awards or honours, and up to ten relevant research publications.
Technical particulars of the work being proposed
Technical particulars of the work being proposed.
A certificate issued by the Lead Indian Collaborator
A certificate issued by the Lead Indian Collaborator.
An endorsement letter from the Indian Collaborator Institution
An endorsement letter from the Indian Collaborator Institution.
A letter from the institution where the VAJRA…
A letter from the institution where the VAJRA Faculty member is based.
Any other document that may be required
Any other document that may be required.
2017-01-08
How to Apply
Online Application
Applicants can apply for Visiting Advanced Joint Research Faculty Scheme through the online application process outlined below.
Applications for the VAJRA Faculty Scheme can be…
Applications for the VAJRA Faculty Scheme can be submitted throughout the year.
The Indian collaborator identifies a suitable overseas faculty…
The Indian collaborator identifies a suitable overseas faculty member/researcher and jointly develops a research plan.
The Lead Indian collaborator submits the application online…
The Lead Indian collaborator submits the application online at https://anrfonline.in/ANRF/HomePage
The Indian Collaborator registers on the online portal
The Indian Collaborator registers on the online portal. Click here to register
Where other Indian Collaborators are part of the…
Where other Indian Collaborators are part of the proposed work, all of them must register on the SERB online portal and complete every mandatory field in the Profile Details section under User Profile.
Under 'Form Submission', choose the VAJRA scheme to…
Under 'Form Submission', choose the VAJRA scheme to open the online submission form.
Fill in all details in the online submission…
Fill in all details in the online submission form.
Upload the endorsement certificate from the Indian Institution…
Upload the endorsement certificate from the Indian Institution and the consent letter from the overseas faculty's institution, confirming their participation as VAJRA Faculty, at the time of submission.
Once the online application is submitted, a link…
Once the online application is submitted, a link to view it is sent to the overseas faculty member; on their acceptance, the application is deemed formally submitted for further consideration.
A Committee evaluates applications twice a year and…
A Committee evaluates applications twice a year and makes its recommendations, after which SERB announces the results.
Official Application & Website
Verify the latest eligibility, dates and instructions before applying.