PMFDR

Prime Minister’s Fellowship for Doctoral Research scheme is a prestigious initiative of Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB), Department of Science & Technology, Government of India towards the advancement of university research engagements in line with industry requirement.

The "Prime Minister’s Fellowship for Doctoral Research" is an initiative of the Science and Engineering Research Board under the Department of Science & Technology, Government of India. The scheme supports young researchers to pursue industry-relevant Ph.D. research in reputed institutions across India. It aims to strengthen collaboration between industry and academia in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering, Agriculture, and Medicine. Selected fellows receive financial support, industry exposure, and mentorship from academic and industry experts. The fellowship is implemented by Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry on behalf of SERB.

> Duration of Fellowship:

• As per the provisions of the scheme, the scholarship is given for a maximum period of four years.

• The applicant should be Indian.
• The applicant should be a full-time PhD scholar in any recognized Indian university/institute/research laboratory.
• The scholar’s PhD registration date should not be more than 14 months from the date of submission of application i.e. the applicant should apply within 14 months of PhD admission/registration whichever date is earlier.
• The applicant should have a valid industry partner who should be ready to support the research project financially as well as provide guidance and mentorship.
• The mutually agreed topic of research, between the applicant and the supporting company, should be innovative, have practical relevance, and have industrial application.
• The selected applicant should be willing to work with/in the supporting company as and when required during the project period.
• The applicant should not draw any other fellowship after the selection.

• Under this scheme, full-time PhD scholars get double the JRF/SRF fellowship amount, as a scholarship.
• The scheme has the provision to award up to 100 new scholarships every year. One-half of this scholarship comes from the government; the second half comes from a partner company that also works closely with the candidate on the research project.