VAJRA Faculty Scheme is a dedicated program exclusively for overseas scientists and academicians with emphasis on NRI and Persons of Indian Origin/Overseas Citizen of India to work as adjunct or visiting faculty for a specific period of time in Indian public-funded academic and research institutions.
Visiting Advanced Joint Research Faculty Scheme - Introduction
Visiting Advanced Joint Research (VAJRA) Faculty Scheme was launched by the Department of Science and Technology, Government of India to bring a strong international connection to the R&D ecosystem of India. The scheme offers adjunct/visiting faculty assignments to overseas scientists, faculty members, and R&D professionals including Non-resident Indians (NRI) and Overseas Citizens of India (OCI) to undertake high-quality collaborative research in publicly funded academic and research institutions of India. VAJRA Faculty will engage in collaborative research in cutting-edge areas of science and technology, including interdisciplinary priority areas such as energy, water, health, security, nutrition, materials and manufacturing, etc., with one or more Indian collaborators. VAJRA Faculty is expected to co-guide research students and may also be involved in technology development, innovation, start-ups, etc. The Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB), a statutory body of the Department, will implement the scheme.
Benefits
- The residency period of VAJRA Faculty in India will be a minimum of one month and a maximum of three months.
- VAJRA Faculty will receive US$ 15,000 in the first month of engagement and US$ 10,000 per month in the subsequent two months. No separate support is provided for travel, accommodation, medical/personal insurance, etc.; the host institute may consider providing additional support.
- Return visit of Indian faculty to the Institute of VAJRA Faculty: One research visit by the Indian host to the Institute of VAJRA Faculty for a period of at least one week and not exceeding 30 days will be supported. The board will provide return economy airfare, not exceeding ₹1.5 lakhs per diem, and accommodation as per the norms of the Board.
- Student mobility (Doctoral & Postdoctoral Level: Across labs): Collaborative research visits of up to two students at the doctoral or preferably co‑advised/post‑doctoral level, after two years of engagement from the research group of the Indian host, to the Institute of VAJRA Faculty for a duration of three to six months will be supported. The board will provide return economy airfare, a one‑time contingency grant of ₹60,000, and fellowship equivalent to the norms of the Board.
- Research Contingency Grant for the hosting Indian collaborator: ₹5.0 lakhs per year per VAJRA Faculty research visit to the Indian host will be provided to meet expenses related to the collaborative research.
- Support to engage VAJRA Faculty to give lectures in their area of expertise at the host institute: Support to VAJRA Faculty to the tune of ₹1.0 lakh per year for this activity will be provided.
Eligibility
- The scheme is open to overseas scientists, faculty members, and R&D professionals, including Non-Resident Indians (NRI) and Overseas Citizens of India (OCI).
- The overseas scientist/faculty should be an active researcher working in a leading academic, research, or industrial organization with a proven track record of research and development.
- Indian collaborators should be regular faculty or researchers in academic or research institutions.
- Indian collaborators from the top 10 private institutions as per the NIRF ranking are also eligible to apply if the institute contributes 50% of the cost.
Application Process
- Step 01: Application for the VAJRA Faculty Scheme can be submitted throughout the year.
- Step 02: The Indian collaborator should identify an appropriate overseas faculty/researcher and jointly frame a research plan.
- Step 03: The lead Indian collaborator should submit the application online at www.serbonline.in.
- Step 04: The Indian collaborator should register in the SERB Online Portal. click here to register.
- Step 05: If there are other Indian collaborators as part of the proposed work, it must be ensured that all other Indian collaborators are registered in the SERB online portal and have filled all mandatory fields in the Profile Details section under User Profile.
- Step 06: Under 'Form Submission', choose Scheme: VAJRA to open the online submission form.
- Step 07: All details need to be filled in the online submission form.
- Step 08: An endorsement certificate from the Indian institution and a consent letter from the overseas faculty institution for participation as VAJRA Faculty should be uploaded during submission.
- Step 09: Upon submission of the online application, a link to view the submitted application will be sent to the overseas faculty. Upon their acceptance, the application will be deemed formally submitted for further consideration.
- Step 10: The Committee for evaluating the applications will meet twice a year and make its recommendations. SERB will announce the results subsequently.