PMRF Prime Minister Fellowship Scheme for Ph.D. 2023: The scheme is for supporting aspiring Ph.D. scholars with double scholarship (up to Rs. 6 lakh per annum), 50% of which will be provided by the government and balance 50% by a sponsoring industry, for doing research for four years and the research fellow will receive Ph.D. degree by doing this industrial research.
Open-Ended Applications
A candidate can register on the portal of PM Fellowship if she/he has been enrolled/admitted for Ph.D. in
the last 14 months from the date of submission of applications. This has been done to accommodate the
various university/institute rules that vary from 6 months to 14 months‟ time period for final registration to
Ph.D. from the time of initial enrollment, which includes course work in institute for two semesters.
The applicants must firm up their alliance with the industry before applying.
PMRF Eligibility
- One doctoral fellow and one industry will apply jointly. The application has to be filled by the doctoral
fellow Doctoral fellow should have enrolled/admitted for Ph.D. in the last 14 months from the date of submission of applications in any recognized Indian University / Institute / Research Laboratory - The doctoral fellow should obtain „No Objection‟ from his/her Institution before applying
The doctoral fellow should have identified (before applying) an industry partner/co-applicant who should be ready to support the research project financially and also lend technical and intellectual support
Areas of research should be in Science, Technology, Engineering, Agriculture or Medicine - The topic of research should have practical relevance and industrial application.
- The candidate and the proposed research topic should qualify on criteria of excellence and relevance
and be of technical and scientific merit. - The selected doctoral fellow should be willing to work with/in the industry as and when required by the
industry partner during the project period. - The research duration should not be more than four years leading to the award of a Ph.D. degree to the
doctoral fellow.
Selection Process & Broad Criteria for Selection Of PMRF
A high-level Apex Council consisting of members from academia, industry, and the government will review the
applications and select the candidates for the award of PM Fellowship.
The project should be innovative and of high scientific merit; with discrete R&D as opposed to exploratory
investigation
The proposed research should have a high potential to translate into a business opportunity and
commercialization
High credibility, the capacity of doctoral fellow and the institution
The high degree of business interest, involvement, and collaboration of industry
Prime Minister Fellowship Funding Support
- Up to 100 research projects would be supported in a financial year.
- The Fellowship amount will be up to Rs. 6,00,000/- per annum maximum per candidate (as per current
JRF/SRF slabs). - 50% of this amount will come from SERB [being equivalent to the prevailing Government norms for JRF
/SRF (inclusive of HRA)] of maximum Rs 3,00,000/- per annum and will be revised as per the JRF/SRF
norms from time to time. - Rest 50% (the matching equivalent of SERB component) will come from the partner industry co-applicant.
- Duration of the Fellowships will be a maximum of four years leading with awarding of the Ph.D. degree
- If selected to receive the Prime Minister‟s Fellowship for Doctoral Research, the candidate will cease to
receive any other scholarship/salary from any other organization which he/she may be receiving at
present
How to Apply
Applications have to be submitted online
For applying, log on to https://may2023.pmrf.in/
Important Dates
Last date of Online Submission of Application Form: Within 14 months of registration/admission to PhD
Announcement of Results: Updates on the website
The signing of MOUs among selected Ph.D. Fellows, Industry and Institutes: By March of each year
Release of Fellowship amount to Research scholar: From April of each year on a monthly basis
Contact
SERB, DST, Government of India : Email: [email protected]
Confederation of Indian Industry (CII): [email protected] & [email protected]
Q1. How to Apply for the Fellowship?
Ans: Please visit the official website of the Prime Minister’s Fellowship Scheme and register as a student. Next, download the call and document list. Tie up with a company and get signed all the undertakings from a signatory in the company and institute. Fill the form online and attach a digital file of required documents.
Q2. Can I apply if I do not have any industry partners?
Ans: The organization does not accept any applications without Industry Partners. Although, CII helps the candidate in match-making with the industry partners and research scholars. Candidates need to register online on the official portal. The organization doesn’t guarantee 100% match-making.
Q3. What is the timeline for submitting the Application?
Ans: You can submit the application online in 14 months from the first date of admission date in the Ph.D. program.
Q4. Do I require to send a hard copy/stamped copy of the Application form to CII?
Ans: No, you do not require to send a hard copy/ stamped or signed copy of the filled-up application form to CII.
Q5. How many institutes are supporting PM Fellowship?
Ans: Here is a list of institutes which support the fellowship-
Acharya Nagarjuna University, Academy of Scientific & Innovative Research, Alagappa University, Amity University, Anna University, Banaras Hindu University, Bidhan Chandra Krishi Viswavidyalaya, Hemchandracharya North Gujarat University, Institute of Chemical Technology, Indian Institute of Engineering Science and Technology, Indraprastha Institute of Information Technology, Indian Institute of Science, Indian Institutes of Technology, IIT Bombay – Monash University Research Academy, Indian Agricultural Research Institute, Manipal University, National Chemical Laboratory, National Institutes of Technology, PSG College, Punjab Agricultural University, Saurashtra University, Savitribai Phule Pune University, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Tata Memorial Hospital, Thiagarajar College of Engineering and Kurukshetra University.
Q6. Which companies support PM Fellows in their research?
Ans: Here is a list of companies which support the fellowship-
Abellon Clean Energy Limited, Applied Materials Inc., Arche Biologics, Autosys Engineering (P) Limited, Beauscape Farms, Bharat Forge Limited, Cadila Pharmaceuticals Limited, CYMK Inks LLP, Eaton Corporation, Envian Engineers Private Limited, EON Electric Limited, Forbes Marshall Private Limited, G.E. Motors Private Limited, GE India Technology Center Private Limited, General Mills India Private Limited, Godrej & Boyce Manufacturing Company Limited, Google India Private Limited, Hoganas AB, HPCL, IBIDEN Co. Limited, Infosys Limited, Intel Corporation – USA, Intel Technology India Private Limited, Jai Bharath Gum & Chemical Limited, Joegeetha Plastic Pipes, Kamineni Hospital Limited, K-Pack Systems Private Limited, Krish Biotech Research Private Limited, Maxim Crop Sciences Private Limited, Maxim Integrated – California, Microsoft Research, Morphing Machines Private Limited, NanoXpert Technologies, Natco Pharma Limited, NMDC, Nova-Surface Care Centre Private Limited, Nuziveedu Seeds Limited, Ozone Research and Application India
Private Limited, P&G – Beijing, Persistent Systems Limited, Petrotech Society, Piramal Healthcare Limited, Prathista Industries Limited, Preca Solutions India Private Limited, Robert Bosch Engineering and Business Solutions Limited, Sahajanand Medical Technologies Private Limited, Sampurn Agri Ventures Private Limited, Shell India Markets Private Limited, Simco Global Technology & Systems Limited, Skymax Research & Regulations, Solar Agrotech Private Limited, Sree Akzya Dyeing, Strand Life Sciences, Suyog Nirmiti, Talga Resources Limited, Tata Chemicals Limited, Tata Steel Limited, The Punjab State Cooperative Milk Producers Fed Limited (Milkfed Punjab), Thermax Limited, Trichy Distilleries & Chemicals Limited, United Phosphorus Limited, Vaata Infra Limited, Varsha Bioscience and Technology, Verdenta Hybrid Seeds Private Limited, Xerox India Limited and Zim Laboratories Limited
Q7. Can I apply again next year in case I do not get accepted?
Ans: Yes, you can apply next year as a fresh candidate with updated information.
Q8. Is a project proposal a mandatory requirement while applying for the scheme?
Ans. Yes, You must attach a proposal as required. The details can be seen on the official website of the Prime Minister’s Fellowship Scheme.