The Ramanujan Fellowship aims to attract brilliant Indian scientists and engineers from abroad, as well as those within India seeking to return from overseas, to take up research positions in Indian scientific institutions and universities. This prestigious fellowship is highly selective and designed to support scientists in expanding their research capabilities within India.

Eligibility Criteria

The fellowship is open to scientists and engineers of Indian origin working abroad who are below 40 years of age. Applicants must hold a Ph.D. in Science/Engineering, a Masters in Engineering or Technology, or an MD in Medicine, or an equivalent degree, along with substantial professional experience. A strong track record of research publications and recognitions is essential for consideration.

To be eligible, candidates must not hold any permanent, tenure-track, or contractual position in any Indian institution or university at the time of application. The fellowship is specifically intended for those currently working outside of India and seeking to establish a research career within the country. Nominations from Ph.D guides of the candidate and nominations from the same institute where they pursued their Ph.D, will not be considered.

• Must be of Indian origin.

• Currently working abroad.

• Below 40 years of age.

Duration and Financial Support

The Ramanujan Fellowship is granted for a fixed duration of five years, without any possibility of extension. Fellows receive a consolidated monthly amount of Rs. 1,35,000, which includes House Rent Allowance (HRA). This fellowship is taxable as per I.T. rules.

In addition to the monthly fellowship, each fellow receives an annual research grant of Rs. 7.00 lakh to cover expenses such as consumables, travel, research personnel, and contingencies. The host institution also receives Rs. 60,000 per annum as overhead charges to support the fellow's research activities.

Ramanujan Fellows are also eligible to apply for and receive regular research grants through the extramural funding schemes of various Science and Technology (S&T) agencies of the Government of India, further enhancing their research capabilities.

Nomination and Selection Process

Individual scientists and technologists should first approach the S&T institutions, university departments, or national laboratories of their choice in India. The chosen institution must be willing to provide the necessary administrative and R&D infrastructure to support the research. The fellowship is intended for working in new areas and laboratories to expand research capabilities, excluding the candidate's Ph.D. institution.

The nomination process requires the candidate to register and fill out the application form on the ANRF online portal (www.anrfonline.in). After filling the details, Nominee should click on "Send to Nominator". The nominator, typically a senior member of the host institution, then reviews and submits the nomination to ANRF.

Selection of Ramanujan Fellows is conducted periodically by an empowered Selection Committee appointed specifically for this purpose. Nominations are accepted throughout the year, allowing for a continuous intake of talented scientists and engineers.

Application Procedure and Required Documents

To apply, nominees must register on the ANRF online portal (www.anrfonline.in) and complete the profile details section, including uploading a photo and institutional information. Under Form Submission, choose Scheme: Ramanujan Fellowship, and fill the Ramanujan Fellowship nomination form which includes details of Nominee Details, Qualification Details and Nominator Details, etc.

A detailed research proposal, outlining the proposed area of research and a brief outline of the proposal, should be uploaded as a single PDF file, not exceeding 5 pages. After filling the details, Nominee should click on "Send to Nominator". Nominator would receive intimation via email with a link to ANRF online portal, to view the filled-in Ramanujan Fellowship Nomination form.

Required documents include a Nomination Letter (on letterhead, duly signed and stamped), the Nominee's CV, and a Plagiarism Undertaking (template available for download). Ensure all documents are in the prescribed format and uploaded in PDF format.

Key Considerations and Conditions

If a Ramanujan Fellow secures a permanent, tenure-track, or contractual position during the fellowship, they become ineligible to receive the fellowship, including the research grant and overhead charges. In such cases, the fellow must relinquish the Ramanujan Fellowship in its entirety. The selected candidates must join their host institute within 6 months from the issue of the Ramanujan Fellowship Selection Intimation letter; else the award will be cancelled automatically.

The grant received under the Ramanujan Fellowship is taxable as per Indian Income Tax rules. Fellows are encouraged to apply for additional research grants from other funding agencies through their host institute, providing details of any projects applied for or sanctioned to ANRF.

ANRF retains the right to discontinue the fellowship at any stage and modify the terms and conditions as necessary. The Ramanujan Fellow is considered equivalent to a Scientist-D for TA/DA purposes within the host institute.