Prime Minister’s Fellowship for Doctoral Research
Details
Prime Minister’s Fellowship for Doctoral Research scheme is a prestigious initiative of the Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB), Department of Science & Technology, Government of India towards the advancement of university research engagements in line with industry requirements. This scheme is aimed at encouraging young, talented, enthusiastic, and result-oriented scholars to take up industry-relevant research by partnering with institutions of academic excellence. The intent was to leverage research with the industry’s innovative capacity by providing access to know-how and facilities. These are critical in advancing expertise and technologies leading to tangible economic outcomes like patents, licenses, non-patented and non-licensed new products, and processes.
Under this scheme, there are 100 slots of fellowships available annually to researchers to pursue PhD in reputed technology and research institutions in India. The first batch of fellowships commenced in 2013. The Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI) on behalf of SERB implements the scheme.
Aim:
- To encourage and inspire promising young Indian Ph.D. researchers to pursue industry-relevant research in the areas of Science, Technology, Engineering, Agriculture, and medicine.
- To build industry-academia partnerships for advancing R&D.
- To boost research on industrially relevant subject areas.
Key Features of the Fellowship:
In addition to the attractive scholarship, the Prime Minister’s Fellowship emphasizes providing a unique and invigorating experience to selected fellows. It ensures the best national and international exposure for them and provides mentoring through industry and academic experts through the mechanism of annual review meetings. In addition, periodic mentorship sessions are also organized with the help of expert external agencies.
Duration of Fellowship:
• As per the provisions of the scheme, the scholarship is given for a maximum period of four years.
Benefits
- 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.
Eligibility
- 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.
Application Process
Online
Application Procedure:
Step 01: Register as a student on the portal or www.primeministerfellowshipscheme.in or www.serbficci-iirrada.in.
Step 02: The application form should be prepared according to the guidelines and submitted online through the website as mentioned below:-
- www.primeministerfellowshipscheme.in (CII coordinating industry chambers) or
- www.serbficci-iirrada.in (FICCI coordinating industry chambers)
Step 03: Download the Call for Proposal and Document Checklist.
Step 04: Tie up with a company and get the required undertakings signed by a valid signatory in the company as well as in the host institute.
Step 05: Collect all documents and make digital copies of each.
Step 06: Fill out the application form online (the form cannot be downloaded and requires net connectivity while filling).
Step 07: Submit application.
Note: Do not send any physical copy of the application/documents to CII / FICCI.
Selection Parameters:
- The projects should be innovative and of high scientific merit; with discrete R&D as opposed to exploratory investigation.
- The proposed research project should have a high commercialization potential.
- The applicant, the academic guide, and the industry mentor should have a strong track record.
Documents Required
- Recent Passport Size Picture
- PhD Enrolment & Registration Certificate
- 10th, 12th, Graduation & Post-Graduation Certificate
- Scan Other Degree / Diploma Certificates (if applicable)
- Profile of the host institute
- Bio-data of PhD Supervisor, not exceeding 3 pages
- Profile of Partner Company with Logo
- Bio-data of Industry Mentor, not exceeding 3 pages
- Undertaking from the Research Supervisor and Head of the Organisation of the Institute / University
- Undertaking from the Industry Partner in the Research Project
- Letter from the Industry Partner (on the company’s letterhead) on the research problem and the future plans for implementation, if any
- Publications
- Research Synopsis
- Any other document, as required
Pradhan Mantri Uchchatar Shiksha Protsahan (PM-USP) Central Sector Scheme of Scholarship for College and University students
Details
“Pradhan Mantri Uchchatar Shiksha Protsahan (PM-USP) Central Sector Scheme of Scholarship for College and University Students” is a Scholarship Scheme by the Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Education. The primary objective of the scheme is to provide financial assistance to meritorious students from poor families to meet a part of their day-to-day expenses while pursuing higher studies. The scholarships are awarded based on the results of the Higher Secondary/ Class 12th Board Examination. A maximum of 82,000 fresh scholarships per annum are provided for pursuing Graduate/ Postgraduate degrees in colleges and universities and for professional courses, such as Medical, Engineering, etc.
“Pradhan Mantri Uchchatar Shiksha Protsahan (PM-USP) Central Sector Scheme of Scholarship for College and University Students” is a Scholarship Scheme by the Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Education. The primary objective of the scheme is to provide financial assistance to meritorious students from poor families to meet a part of their day-to-day expenses while pursuing higher studies. The scholarships are awarded based on the results of the Higher Secondary/ Class 12th Board Examination. A maximum of 82,000 fresh scholarships per annum are provided for pursuing Graduate/ Postgraduate degrees in colleges and universities and for professional courses, such as Medical, Engineering, etc.
Benefits
Rate of Scholarship
- ₹12,000/-per annum at the Graduation level for the first three years of College and University courses.
- ₹20,000 per annum at the Post-graduation level.
- ₹20,000/-per annum in the 4th and 5th year to the Students pursuing professional courses, in case where the duration of the course is five (5) years/an Integrated course.
- Students pursuing technical courses such as B.Tech., B.Engg. will get scholarship up to graduation level only i.e. ₹12,000 p.a. for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd year and ₹20,000 in the 4th year.
Mode of Disbursal
The scholarship will be disbursed directly into the Aadhar-seeded bank accounts of the beneficiaries through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).
Eligibility
- The applicant must be above the 80th percentile of successful candidates in the relevant stream from the respective Board of Examination in Class 12th of 10+2 pattern or equivalent.
- The applicant must be pursuing regular degree courses.
- The applicant must be pursuing courses at colleges/ institutions recognised by the All India Council for Technical Education and the respective Regulatory Bodies concerned.
- The gross parental/ family income of the applicant should not exceed ₹4,50,000/- per annum.
- For renewal of scholarship in each year of study, besides getting at least 50% marks in the Annual Examination, maintenance of adequate attendance should be at least 75%.
- The students are required to have Aadhaar-seeded bank accounts opened in their name.
Exclusions
- Students who are pursuing correspondence or distance mode or pursuing Diploma courses are not eligible.
- Students who are already availing the benefit from any other scholarship schemes, including State-run scholarship schemes/ fee waiver & reimbursement schemes, are not eligible.
Application Process
Online
One Time Registration (OTR)
Step 1: Visit the National Scholarships Portal (NSP) One Time Registration page and click on “Apply for OTR”
Step 2: Guidelines for OTR will appear. Scroll to the bottom. Read carefully the undertaking. Accept the Terms. Click “Next”.
Step 3: Register your active mobile number in the OTR registration form. All correspondence/communication will be done on the submitted mobile/e-mail only.
Step 4: Complete Aadhaar e-KYC by entering the Parent/Legal Guardian/Student Aadhaar number. Submit the OTP received and click “verify”
Step 5: Enter details on the next page and click “Finish”. You will receive a Reference Number. Download the NSP OTR App and the Aadhaar FaceRD App from the Google Play Store and complete face authentication for generating OTR.
Step 6: On successful face authentication, your 14-digit OTR number will be generated and sent via SMS.
Fresh Application
Step 1: Visit the Applicant Login page of the National Scholarships Portal. Select “OTR Login” and enter your OTR number and password.
Step 2: Type the Captcha and click “Login”.
Step 3: On the next screen, provide the OTP received on your registered mobile number. You will be directed to the Password Reset screen. Create a new password and confirm.
Step 4: Click “Submit”. You will be directed to the “Applicant’s Dashboard”.
Step 5: On the left pane, click “Application Form”. The fields marked as * are compulsory. Fill in the details and upload the documents. The verification of credentials of the students (caste, educational qualifications, etc.) will be done through the DIGILOCKER facility of the MeitY, Govt. of India.
Step 6: You can either click on “Save as Draft” to complete the application later. Otherwise, click “Final Submit” to apply.
Track Payment Status
The student can track their payment status from the template “Know Your Payment” in the Public Financial Management System (PFMS) Portal, either by indicating their Aadhaar Number, Bank Account number or NSP Application ID.
NOTE 1: The National Scholarships Portal will provide the timelines for opening & closing of the portal.
NOTE 2: Online applications will be verified at two levels, i.e. by the Institute where the student is studying and thereafter by the concerned State Higher Education Department or any other Agency/ Official nominated by the State as State Nodal Agency (both for fresh and renewal applicants).
NOTE 3: Students will not be permanently debarred from scholarships due to a delay in renewal or verification. However, students will have to submit renewal applications within a cut-off date. Renewal for that year will not be allowed if an applicant misses this deadline. However, students can apply for renewal in the following year if they meet the eligibility conditions.
Grievance Redressal
In case of any grievances/complaints regarding the above scheme, the same may be registered to the following link: http://pgportal.gov.in/grievancenew.aspx, other than to the Nodal Officer whose email is available on the NSP portal (Services Tab).
Documents Required
The following documents need to be uploaded to the Portal at the time of application:
a. FRESH: 12th Mark Sheet, Family Income Certificate, Category/ caste Certification for reserved category students, Disability Certificate (if applicable)
b. RENEWAL: Previous Year Mark Sheet
The copy of the above-mentioned documents must be provided to the institutes at the time of verification, if sought by the Institute Nodal Officer (INO).