The PM Early Career Research Grant provides up to ₹60 lakh plus overheads over three years to support early career researchers in India with flexible funding and enhanced research facilitation.
Overview
Objective:
Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) has been recently established by an Act of Parliament, ANRF Act 2023, to seed, grow and foster a culture of research and innovation throughout the country. Under the guidance of Hon'ble Prime Minister, the President of the ANRF Governing Board, the foundation is set to commence several new initiatives to strengthen India's research and innovation ecosystem and accelerate scientific advancement through programs with diverse mandates as well as a series of measures to enhance ease of doing research.
Early career researchers are at the forefront of innovation and excellence, playing a vital role in the scientific and technological progress of the country. ANRF recognises that early career researchers are committed to produce research of the highest quality, bringing in new skills, breakthrough ideas and the zest to explore new frontiers, thereby expanding the boundaries of knowledge. This commitment of the early career researchers will significantly contribute in driving the ambitions of ANRF in positioning the country as a global leader in science and technology as well as creating a vibrant research ecosystem. ANRF considers its responsibility to empower and support the early career researchers in their pursuit of research excellence, providing them with an enabling environment to effectively conduct research with ease and flexibility. Pursuant to this objective, ANRF is initiating the program, Prime Minister's Early Career Research Grant to assist researchers to initiate their research career in a new institution with a flexible budget and progressive initiatives for ease of doing research.
Nature & duration of support:
- Research grant up to Rs. 60 lakh plus overheads for a period of three years.
- The measures for ease of doing research include flexibility to utilize resources under recurring head; flexibility in manpower recruitment; enhanced travel, contingency and overhead charges; and support for expenses related to open access publications and patent filing charges.
- International travel for project related activities is also permitted.
- Maximum of 700 grants would be awarded per year across all subject areas.
(PM ECRG subsumes the Startup Research Grant (SRG) scheme of erstwhile SERB)
- The applicant should be an Indian citizen. PIO/OCI working as regular employees in any of the public funded and recognized R&D laboratories/institutions in India are eligible to apply as PI in collaboration with an Indian Co-PI, provided they fulfill the eligibility criteria notified by ANRF (ANRF Funding Guidelines for PIO/OCI) The applicant should hold a PhD degree in Science or Engineering or MD/MS/ MDS/MVSc degree.
- The applicant must hold a regular academic/research position in a recognized academic institution, national laboratories or any other recognized R&D institution.
- The applicant is eligible to apply within two years of joining the institution.
- The upper age limit for PM ECRG would be 42 years, with a relaxation of three years for SC/ST/OBC/Physically challenged and women candidates.
- Research Associates, Post doctoral Fellows, Ad-hoc faculties, Guest faculties, Visiting Scientists, Consultants, Project Fellows and faculty members whose contract is renewed every year are not eligible under PM ECRG. In respect of cases that are not mentioned above, ANRF reserves the right to determine the eligibility.
- Co-PIs are not allowed except in the case of PIO/OCI.
- The applicant should not have received YSS, ECR, SRG, CRG (erstwhile EMR), EMEQ or any other project grant of the erstwhile SERB or ANRF.
- The Call for applications will be notified through the website www.anrfonline.in. The application should be submitted online at www.anrfonline.in(Note : Already registered PIs with the SERBONLINE portal(www.serbonline.in) may Login using the same credentials).
- Selection will be based on the recommendations of Expert Committee.
- If any Principal Investigator (PI) wishes to terminate the project, they shall inform ANRF immediately with proper justifications. The implementing institute should not incur any expenditure from the date of termination of the project or the date of resignation of the PI. The institute must also arrange for the submission of relevant documents.
- ANRF reserves the right to terminate the project at any stage if it is convinced that (i) appropriate progress is not being made (ii) the grant has not been utilized properly (iii) furnishing of false information or suppression of factual information.
- Projects sanctioned under PM ECRG cannot be transferred to any other person/s.
- Transfer of approved/sanctioned PM ECRG project to another institution will be considered only in the following cases: (i) From private/public/government institution to any other public/government institution (ii) General administrative transfers in government or public funded institutions. Change of institute will not be considered in any other cases.
- An applicant is eligible to apply only one proposal during a call.
- The PM ECRG would be a one-time career grant.
- Extension of the project tenure is not permitted under PM ECRG.
Mode of application and selection
Termination and transfer of the project
Other conditions
