NREFS

Through this scheme, fellowships will be provided for pursuing higher studies/ advanced research in renewable energy. The fellowship scheme is directly aligned with the overall requirement of renewable energy, research thrust areas identified by MNRE.

Launched in 2021, the scheme "National Renewable Energy Fellowship Scheme" has been launched by the Human Resources Development Division, Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), Government of India, aims to promote education and research in renewable energy. The scheme provides financial fellowships to meritorious students and researchers for higher studies like M.Tech, M.Sc., PhD, and post-doctoral research. It focuses on advanced and industry-relevant research in renewable energy technologies. The scheme is implemented with a total budget of ₹200 crore for the period 2021–22 to 2025–26. Around 375 fellowships will be awarded over five years based on merit and industry demand. It also aims to create skilled manpower and support innovation and commercialisation in the renewable energy sector.

> Eligibility Criteria for the Applicant

• The applicant must be pursuing higher studies in renewable energy, viz. M.Sc, M. Tech, PhD in Renewable Energy technologies OR The applicant must be a Research Associate or post-doctoral Fellow pursuing advanced research in MNRE institutions and other key institutions. 1. These Fellowships will exclusively be awarded for Courses on Renewable Energy related subjects only.
• These Institutions will select the students for M.Tech /PhD courses through GATE Score, CSIR Score, or CSIR-JRF /AICTE/NET Qualified Score only.
• M.Sc fellowships will be provided only to students pursuing an M.Sc in renewable energy qualified with NET.

NOTE 1: The Ministry would be guided by the norms of CSIR/DST/UGC for the eligibility of the candidates for JRF/SRF/RA/PDF.

NOTE 2: The Ministry would be guided by the AICTE guidelines for M.Tech and the Department of Biotechnology norms for M.Sc in renewable energy.

> Eligibility Criteria for the Institute

• Only those institutes will be considered for the allocation of fellowship slots that are in the Top 100 institutes under the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF), with faculty for the required expertise in relevant areas of RE and infrastructure facilities available at such institutes for RE education and research in RE, etc.
• The scheme is open for Universities, Technical Institutions, and national laboratories having facilities for research in the identified thrust areas of RE, and institutes having M.Tech./ Integrated M.Sc. courses in energy studies/ renewable energy with specialisation in any branch of renewable energy.

CategoryFellowship (₹/month)HRAContingency (₹/annum)DurationJRF₹31,000/-As per the central govt. norms₹20,000/-Per Month2 yearsSRF₹35,000/--do--do-2 yearsPDF/RA₹47,000/- (Level I), ₹49,000/- (Level II), ₹54,000/- (Level III).-do--do-2 yearsM.Tech/M.S ₹12,400/---20-24 months (as per the institute norm)M.Sc (Renewable Energy)₹4,000/---24 months (as per the institute norms)

Notes:

• Flexible Allocation: The number of fellowships in each category (M.Tech, M.Sc, JRF, SRF, RA) is interchangeable based on the quality of research proposals and industry demand. - Monthly Disbursement: All fellowships are disbursed on a monthly basis directly into the beneficiary's bank account via DBT mode upon receipt of attendance/continuation reports from host institutions.

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