RRF

The Department of Biotechnology has instituted a scheme known as the “Ramalingaswami Re-Entry Fellowship”. The scheme is aimed at Indian Nationals who are working overseas in various fields of biotechnology and life sciences and are interested in taking up scientific research positions in India.

The Department of Biotechnology has instituted a scheme known as the “Ramalingaswami Re-Entry Fellowship”. The scheme is aimed at Indian Nationals who are working overseas in various fields of biotechnology and life sciences and are interested in taking up scientific research positions in India. The Ramalingaswami Re-entry Fellows would be able to work in any of the scientific Institutions/Universities in the country. The applicant should have a proven/outstanding track record as evidenced by research publications and recognitions. The duration of the fellowship will be for a period of three years. Ramalingaswami Re-entry Fellows shall also be eligible for regular research grant through extramural and other research schemes of various S&T agencies of the Government of India.

The scheme has been conceptualized with the aim of attracting highly skilled researchers (Indian Nationals) working overseas in various cutting-edge disciplines of any area of Life Sciences & Biotechnology, Bio-engineering, Healthcare (human and animal), Agriculture and Veterinary biotechnology, Bio-energy and allied areas by providing them an attractive avenue to pursue their R&D interests in Indian universities/institutions.

• The Indian working in any area of life sciences & biotechnology, bio-engineering, healthcare (human and animal), agriculture and veterinary biotechnology, bio-energy, and allied areas will be eligible to apply.
• The applicant should possess a Ph.D/MD degree or equivalent in life sciences/ agriculture, bioinformatics, and allied areas or an M.Tech in engineering or technology/ medicine, etc. with at least three years of post-doctoral research experience in overseas research laboratories.
• Those who have already returned to India within one year of the closing date of the advertisement (two years for women candidates) are also eligible to apply; however, if they have secured a permanent position in India within this period then they are not eligible to apply.
• Applicants should have a proven/outstanding track record as evidenced by research publications and recognitions.
• In case a fellow joins a permanent position, the fellowship and HRA components of the scheme will be discontinued, however, he/she can avail the research grant component of the fellowship for the remaining tenure of the fellowship.
• The upper age limit for applying is 45 years.
• Once a candidate is selected for the fellowship, before the initiation of the fellowship, he/she would need to submit a two-member advisory committee comprising one member from his/her host institute and one from another institute in India or abroad from the area of his/her research. The advisory committee will mentor the research work of the fellow and suggest course correction, and their opinion/views regarding the progress of the fellow may also be sought by the committee, whenever required.

Strong research funding support:

• ₹10 lakh annually for the first two years
• ₹7.5 lakh annually for the third and fourth years
• ₹5 lakh for the fifth year

• Attractive consolidated fellowship of ₹1 lakh per month.
• Additional ₹18,500 per month provided as HRA.
• Annual institutional support of ₹50,000 as overhead charges.
• Eligibility to seek additional research grants from Government of India science & technology agencies.
• Fellowship tenure of 5 years with the possibility of a 2-year extension in exceptional cases.
• During the extension period, fellows continue to receive fellowship and HRA benefits.
• Encourages independent research while allowing collaboration with a regular faculty member as Co-PI.