Prime Minister’s Fellowship for Doctoral Research 2025

The Prime Minister’s Fellowship for Doctoral Research (PMFDR) 2025 is a prestigious public-private partnership (PPP) initiative by the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF), under the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India, and the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII). Launched in 2012 and formally named by the Prime Minister’s Office in November 2012, the scheme encourages full-time PhD scholars to pursue industry-relevant research in science, technology, engineering, agriculture, and medicine. It offers up to 100 fellowships annually, providing a monthly stipend of approximately INR 100,000 (double the standard JRF/SRF rates), with 50% funded by the government and 50% by a partner industry. The program aims to foster collaboration between academia and industry, enhance research quality, and address national priorities through innovative, commercially viable projects.

To be eligible for the PMFDR 2025, applicants must meet the following criteria:

• Be an Indian national enrolled as a full-time PhD scholar in a recognized Indian university, institute, or research laboratory.

• Have registered for the PhD within the last 14 months from the date of application submission (to accommodate varying institute registration timelines, typically 6–14 months after initial enrollment).

• Pursue research in science, technology, engineering, agriculture, or medicine, with a focus on industry-relevant topics of national priority.

• Secure an industry partner willing to co-fund 50% of the fellowship (approximately INR 4 lakh per annum) and provide technical/intellectual support.

• Ensure the proposed research project has high commercialization potential, innovation, and scientific merit.

• Have a strong academic track record, along with the academic guide and industry mentor, as evaluated by the Apex Council.

• Exclusions:

  • Applications without an industry partner are not accepted.

  • Candidates receiving other government or institutional scholarships must cease those upon accepting the PMFDR.

  • Part-time PhD scholars or those registered beyond 14 months are ineligible.

• Fellowship Stipend: Up to INR 8.7 lakh per annum (approximately INR 55,000–72,800 per month, depending on House Rent Allowance (HRA)), for a maximum of four years.

  • 50% funded by ANRF (equivalent to prevailing JRF/SRF norms, e.g., INR 43,500/month including HRA).

  • 50% funded by the partner industry (matching ANRF’s contribution).

• Duration: Up to four years, or until PhD completion, whichever is earlier. For candidates selected mid-program, the fellowship covers the remaining doctoral period.

• Additional Benefits: Scholars receive national and international exposure through annual review meetings, mentorship by industry and academic experts, and periodic sessions with external agencies (e.g., British Council).

• Note: The fellowship covers stipend only and does not include research grants or other expenses. Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) ownership is mutually decided by the scholar, academic institution, and industry partner, with no rights claimed by ANRF or CII.

The PMFDR operates an open-ended application system, allowing submissions anytime during the year. Follow these steps to apply:

1. Secure Industry Partner: Identify and confirm an industry partner willing to co-fund 50% of the fellowship and support the research project. The partner must provide a letter outlining the research problem and future implementation plans.

2. Register Online: Create an account on the official PMFDR portal (www.primeministerfellowshipscheme.in) or the SERB-FICCI portal (www.serbficci-iirrada.in).

3. Prepare Documents: Collect all required documents (listed below) in digital format as per the Call for Proposal and Document Checklist on the portal.

4. Complete Application Form: Fill out the online application form, providing details about the candidate, academic guide, industry mentor, and research project. The form requires internet connectivity and cannot be downloaded.

5. Upload Documents: Submit all required documents through the portal. No hard copies are needed.

6. Submit Application: Review and submit the application online. Ensure the industry partner and academic institute provide signed undertakings as part of the submission.

7. Selection Process: Applications are vetted by the Apex Council, comprising experts from academia and industry, based on innovation, scientific merit, commercialization potential, and the track record of the candidate, guide, and mentor.

Note: Candidates must secure an industry partner independently; CII facilitates matchmaking via the portal but does not assign partners. Applications without industry support are rejected by the online system.

• Completed online application form (available on www.primeministerfellowshipscheme.in or www.serbficci-iirrada.in).

• PhD enrollment/registration certificate (dated within the last 14 months).

• 10th, 12th, graduation, and postgraduate certificates.

• Scanned copy of other degree/diploma certificates, if applicable.

• Bio-data of the PhD supervisor (not exceeding 3 pages).

• Bio-data of the industry mentor (not exceeding 3 pages).

• Undertaking from the research supervisor and head of the academic institute (signed, on institute letterhead).

• Undertaking from the industry partner (signed, on company letterhead).

• Letter from the industry partner (on company letterhead) detailing the research problem and future implementation plans, if any.

• Note: Refer to Annexure I in the Call for Proposal on the PMFDR portal for detailed document requirements. All documents must be uploaded in the specified digital format.

• Application Window: Open-ended; applications can be submitted anytime during the year, provided PhD registration is within 14 months from the submission date.

• Review and Selection: Applications are processed periodically, with selection decisions communicated via the PMFDR portal or email. The Apex Council’s decision is final, with no appeal process.

• Annual Progress Review: Scholars undergo periodic reviews (e.g., November–December window, as seen in 2024) to assess milestones and ensure continuation of the fellowship.

• Exit Form: Upon completion, scholars must submit an exit form via the portal to receive a Letter of Completion.

• Note: Check www.primeministerfellowshipscheme.in for updates on review schedules or changes to the application process.

• Confederation of Indian Industry (CII):

  • Email: pm.scheme@cii.in

  • Phone: +91-11-45772010

  • Address: Confederation of Indian Industry, The Mantosh Sondhi Centre, 23, Institutional Area, Lodi Road, New Delhi – 110003, India.

• Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF):

  • Website: www.anrf.gov.in

  • Address: Technology Bhavan, New Mehrauli Road, New Delhi – 110016, India.

• Official Portals:

  • www.primeministerfellowshipscheme.in

  • www.serbficci-iirrada.in