PMRC Scheme 2026: Research Opportunities in India for Overseas Indian Scientists – Registration closes on August 15, 2026

Prime Minister Research Chair Scheme: Connecting Global Indian Talent with India’s Research Future

CALL FOR APPLICATIONS 

Prime Minister Research Chair (PMRC) Scheme For Host Institutions and PMRC Fellows

Engagement Period: Up to 5 years, between 2026- 27 to 2030- 31 PMRC applications open on June 1, 2026 Closes on August 15, 2026 (extended deadline)

“A nation’s research strength grows when global knowledge, institutional capacity and young talent come together with a shared purpose.”

India’s growing ambitions in science, technology and innovation require more than modern laboratories and financial investment. They also require experienced researchers who understand global research systems, international collaboration, advanced technologies and the process of transforming scientific ideas into solutions.

The Prime Minister Research Chair, or PMRC Scheme, has been introduced to build this connection. The initiative seeks to engage accomplished Indian origin researchers, scientists, technologists and professionals working with leading international universities, research institutions, laboratories and industries, enabling them to undertake high impact research at premier government institutions and national laboratories in India. (Press Information Bureau)

What Is the PMRC Scheme?

The Prime Minister Research Chair Scheme is a Central Sector Scheme administered by the Department of Higher Education under the Ministry of Education, Government of India.

Its central objective is to connect globally experienced Indian origin researchers and professionals with India’s higher education, research and innovation ecosystem. Selected fellows will work physically at eligible host institutions in India, where they will conduct research, mentor students, contribute to teaching and support international and industrial collaboration.

The scheme is not designed simply as a short academic visit. It provides a structured engagement of up to five years, subject to the approved proposal, the candidate’s performance and decisions taken by the Empowered Committee. The current programme period extends from the academic and financial year 2026 to 2027 through 2030 to 2031.

Over this five year period, the programme envisions engaging at least 120 distinguished researchers, scientists and professionals across its different fellowship categories.

Why Has the Scheme Been Introduced?

A significant number of Indian origin researchers work at internationally recognised universities, technology companies, medical centres, research laboratories and innovation organisations. Their experience includes scientific leadership, access to global networks, knowledge of emerging technologies and familiarity with international research standards.

The PMRC Scheme seeks to bring this experience into India’s institutional environment. Rather than viewing international mobility only as a loss of talent, the scheme encourages knowledge circulation, allowing global Indian expertise to contribute directly to national research priorities.

The initiative is expected to strengthen India’s research value chain, improve the quality of academic output, increase patent activity, encourage applied innovation, enhance teaching standards and develop stronger connections among universities, laboratories and industries.

Three Pillars of the PMRC Framework

The scheme is organised around three main participants.

Lead Institutions

Lead Institutions provide strategic guidance, thematic coordination and quality assurance. They are also expected to assess whether prospective host institutions possess the facilities and institutional readiness required to support advanced research.

Seven premier institutions were initially identified as Lead Institutions:

1. Indian Institute of Technology Delhi

2. Indian Institute of Technology Bombay

3. Indian Institute of Technology Madras

4. Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur

5. Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad

6. Indian Institute of Technology, Indian School of Mines Dhanbad

7. Indian Institute of Science Bengaluru

These institutions support the programme’s implementation across national priority areas. (Press Information Bureau)

Host Institutions

Host Institutions are eligible government higher education institutions, national laboratories and research institutes where the selected fellows will conduct their work.

They are expected to provide laboratory access, libraries, scientific instruments, computational resources, academic collaboration, publication assistance and other institutional support. They may also facilitate patenting and open access publication arising from jointly undertaken research.

PMRC Fellows

PMRC Fellows are the selected researchers, scientists or professionals who will lead or participate in approved research, development and innovation projects at their host institutions.

Their role extends beyond conducting independent research. They will also be expected to teach, mentor students, support curriculum development, develop international research partnerships and connect academic research with practical industry applications.

Categories of Engagement

The PMRC Scheme provides three categories based on the applicant’s experience following completion of a doctoral degree.

The final eligibility and selection conditions for candidates, projects and participating institutions remain subject to decisions of the Empowered Committee.

Who Can Apply as a Fellow?

The scheme is primarily intended for accomplished researchers, scientists and professionals of Indian origin working with leading organisations outside India.

Eligible groups include:

• Indian nationals

• Overseas Citizens of India

• Persons of Indian Origin

Applicants may be associated with foreign universities, research institutes, scientific laboratories, reputed companies or other industries. They must demonstrate an outstanding professional or research record through indicators such as publications, patents, citations, awards, commercialised technologies or internationally recognised achievements.

The official call also notes that candidates currently based in India may be considered, provided they fulfil the Indian origin criterion and any additional conditions determined by the Empowered Committee.

The fellowship is an in person engagement, meaning selected candidates will be required to work at their designated host institutions in India rather than participating only through remote or occasional academic collaboration.

Which Institutions Can Participate?

Eligible host institutions include government higher education institutions placed among:

• The Top 100 institutions in the NIRF Overall category

• The Top 100 institutions in the NIRF Engineering category

• The Top 50 institutions in the NIRF Research category

Selected national laboratories and research institutions functioning under organisations such as the Department of Biotechnology, Department of Science and Technology, Indian Council of Medical Research and Council of Scientific and Industrial Research may also participate. (Press Information Bureau)

Institutions must submit research project proposals aligned with the scheme’s identified thematic areas. They may submit multiple proposals under different themes and may recommend up to three potential fellows whom they would be interested in hosting.

Priority Research Areas

The PMRC Scheme focuses on sectors considered strategically important for India’s scientific, economic and technological future.

The 13 specified priority areas are:

1. Advanced materials, rare earth elements and critical minerals

2. Energy, sustainability and climate change

3. Agriculture and food technologies

4. Semiconductors

5. Advanced computing, including supercomputing, artificial intelligence and quantum computing

6. Healthcare and medical technology

7. Space and defence

8. Next generation communications, including quantum communication

9. Blue economy

10. Cybersecurity

11. Manufacturing and Industry 4.0

12. Biotechnology

13. Atomic energy

The official call also provides scope for other projects aligned with recognised National Missions, allowing the programme to respond to emerging research priorities.

Financial Support under the PMRC Scheme

The scheme provides different levels of fellowship, research and relocation support based on the fellow’s category.

These figures are the unit costs stated in the official call for applications. The final engagement period and approved financial arrangements will depend on the project proposal and decisions of the Empowered Committee. Operational costs and institutional overheads are intended to support implementation through the host institution and should not be understood as personal compensation to the fellow.

What Will PMRC Fellows Be Expected to Do?

Selected fellows will have responsibilities across research, education, mentorship and innovation.

They will be expected to undertake original and high impact research, contribute to course development, teach students and mentor doctoral candidates, postdoctoral researchers, postgraduate students and junior scientists.

Fellows will also be encouraged to develop international partnerships, publish collaborative research, attract cofunded projects and work with industry partners. A major focus of the scheme is the translation of research into commercially or socially useful outcomes, including patents, technologies, products and practical solutions.

Periodic progress reporting and performance evaluation will form part of the engagement. Continued support for the full approved period will therefore depend on the fellow’s performance and the progress of the project.

How Can Fellows Apply?

Applications must be submitted through the official PMRC portal. Fellows are required to provide:

• A detailed curriculum vitae

• Educational and professional records

• A complete list of publications, patents, awards and international engagements

• Proof of citizenship, visa status, residence or domicile

• Details of research achievements and commercialised intellectual property

• Information about the thematic area connected with their proposed work

• Details of a preferred host institution, when applicable

• An explanation of why the chosen institution is suitable for the proposed research

The Empowered Committee may also recommend exceptional researchers or professionals whose participation could significantly strengthen research and innovation in a particular field.

Application Deadline for the 2026 Cycle

Applications for fellows and host institutions opened on 1 June 2026. The closing date has been extended to 15 August 2026. Applicants should review the complete guidelines and submit their documentation through the official portal before the extended deadline.

Why the Scheme Is Relevant for Indian Researchers in Germany and Europe

Germany and other European countries host a substantial network of Indian origin researchers and professionals working in engineering, artificial intelligence, biotechnology, healthcare, climate science, advanced manufacturing, automotive technologies, materials science and quantum research.

For such professionals, the PMRC Scheme creates an opportunity to transfer knowledge gained in Europe into Indian institutions while building new international research partnerships. A fellow based in Germany, for example, could help establish joint research programmes, connect Indian laboratories with European universities, support student exchanges or develop research projects involving academic and industrial partners across both countries.

This makes the scheme relevant not only to India’s domestic research development but also to the wider Indian scientific diaspora. Its success could strengthen long term academic and technological cooperation between India, Germany and other international research centres.

A Step Towards Global Research Leadership

The Prime Minister Research Chair Scheme represents a significant attempt to connect international Indian talent with national research priorities.

Its potential value lies not only in attracting renowned individuals, but also in what those individuals can build around them: research teams, student mentorship, international networks, new curricula, patents, industry partnerships and institutions capable of competing at a global level.

The long term success of PMRC will depend on transparent selection, strong institutional support, research freedom, timely funding and meaningful collaboration between fellows and host organisations. When these elements work together, the scheme can become an important bridge between India’s global knowledge community and its national vision for scientific and technological advancement.

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