Visiting Advanced Joint Research Faculty Scheme (VAJRA) 2020
Scholarship Amount
About This Scholarship
This scholarship, offered by the Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB), invites applications for the Visiting Advanced Joint Research Faculty Scheme (VAJRA) 2020. It targets overseas scientists, faculty members, and active researchers, including Non-resident Indians (NRI) and Overseas Citizens of India (OCI).
The primary goal of the VAJRA faculty scheme is to significantly enhance the international collaboration within India's R&D ecosystem. It aims to foster strong connections with global research communities.
Selected candidates will receive substantial financial support. This includes USD 15,000 during the first month of their residence. For subsequent months, awardees will receive USD 10,000. If the assignment duration is shorter, the amount will be disbursed on a pro-rata basis.
While no separate support is provided for travel, accommodation, or medical/personal insurance, host institutions may offer additional assistance, such as highly subsidized on-campus or nearby off-campus accommodation. The selection of applicants is strictly based on the defined eligibility criteria. This scheme runs throughout the year, accepting applications continuously.
Eligibility Criteria
The fellowship is open to a specific group of candidates who meet the following criteria:
• Overseas Scientists, Faculty Members, and R&D Professionals: This includes Non-resident Indians (NRI) and Overseas Citizens of India (OCI).
• Active Researcher Status: The overseas scientist or faculty applicant must be an active researcher. They should be working in a leading academic, research, or industrial organization. Furthermore, they must demonstrate significant accomplishments in research and development in their respective fields.
• Indian Collaborator Requirements: The Indian collaborator(s) associated with the application must be regular faculty or researchers. They should be affiliated with public-funded academic or research institutions. Crucially, they must have significant ongoing research activities in the area relevant to the VAJRA Faculty's proposed work.
Meeting these conditions is essential for consideration under the scheme.
Required Documents
Applicants are required to upload the following documents in PDF format to support their application:
• CV of VAJRA Faculty: This comprehensive document should detail academic qualifications, research experience, any awards or honours received, and a list of publications relevant to the proposed research collaboration. The document size should not exceed 10 MB.
• Proposal: A detailed research proposal is necessary. A specific template for this document can be downloaded from the official website.
• Certificate from Lead Indian Collaborator: This certificate, for which a template is available on the official website, must be provided by the lead Indian collaborator.
• Endorsement Letter from Indian Collaborator Institution: An official endorsement letter from the Indian collaborator's institution is required. A template for this letter can be found on the official website.
• Consent Letter from Institution of VAJRA Faculty: A consent letter from the institution where the VAJRA Faculty is currently affiliated is also needed. The template for this letter is available for download on the official website.
Ensure all documents adhere to the specified format and size limits.
How to Apply
To apply for the Visiting Advanced Joint Research Faculty Scheme (VAJRA), please follow these steps:
1. Register Online: Visit the official website and complete the registration process.
2. Log In: Once registered, log in to your account to access the application portal.
3. Select Scheme: Navigate to the 'Form Submission' section within the portal. From the available options, choose 'Scheme: VAJRA'.
4. Upload Documents: Upload all the required documents as specified in the application guidelines. Ensure all files are in PDF format and meet the size requirements.
5. Submit Application: After reviewing all entered information and uploaded documents for accuracy, submit your application form.
Make sure to complete all steps thoroughly to ensure a successful submission.