Ramalingaswami Re-Entry Fellowship 2026

This fellowship by the Department of Biotechnology is designed to attract talented Indian scientists working overseas in Read More... life sciences and biotechnology, enabling them to pursue research in Indian institutions. Read less

Details

Are you a brilliant Indian scientist making waves in life sciences or biotechnology abroad? The Department of Biotechnology (DBT) has a fantastic opportunity for you to bring your expertise back home. The Ramalingaswami Re-Entry Fellowship is all about attracting top Indian talent to contribute to cutting-edge scientific research right here in India.

What Is This Scheme?

The Ramalingaswami Re-Entry Fellowship is an initiative by the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) to encourage Indian nationals working overseas in fields like life sciences, biotechnology, bio-engineering, healthcare, agriculture, and bio-energy to return and establish their research careers in India. It aims to bridge the gap by providing a supportive environment for scientists to continue their R&D work in Indian universities and institutions.

Who Can Benefit From This Scheme?

This fellowship is specifically for Indian nationals who have gained significant research experience and accolades while working abroad. If you have a strong publication record and are looking for a platform to conduct advanced research in India, this scheme is for you.

Why This Scheme Is Important

By attracting experienced researchers back to India, the Ramalingaswami Re-Entry Fellowship plays a crucial role in strengthening the country's scientific ecosystem. It fosters innovation, promotes collaboration, and helps build a robust research infrastructure in various critical fields, ultimately contributing to India's scientific and economic progress.

Objective

This fellowship by the Department of Biotechnology is designed to attract talented Indian scientists working overseas in life sciences and biotechnology, enabling them to pursue research in Indian institutions.

Benefits

Strong research funding support:

₹10 lakh annually for the first two years

₹7.5 lakh annually for the third and fourth years

₹5 lakh for the fifth year

Attractive consolidated fellowship of ₹1 lakh per month.

Additional ₹18,500 per month provided as HRA.

Annual institutional support of ₹50,000 as overhead charges.

Eligibility to seek additional research grants from Government of India science & technology agencies.

Fellowship tenure of 5 years with the possibility of a 2-year extension in exceptional cases.

During the extension period, fellows continue to receive fellowship and HRA benefits.

Encourages independent research while allowing collaboration with a regular faculty member as Co-PI.

Sources and references

Guidelines

Eligibility Criteria

To be considered for the Ramalingaswami Re-Entry Fellowship, you need to meet the following criteria:

You must be an Indian national.
Your research area should be within Life Sciences & Biotechnology, Bio-engineering, Healthcare (human and animal), Agriculture and Veterinary Biotechnology, Bio-energy, and allied fields.
You should hold a Ph.D/MD degree or its equivalent in life sciences, agriculture, bioinformatics, or allied areas. Alternatively, an M.Tech in engineering or technology/medicine with at least three years of post-doctoral research experience in overseas research laboratories is required.
If you have returned to India within one year of the advertisement's closing date (two years for women candidates) and have not secured a permanent position in India during this time, you are eligible.
You must have a strong and outstanding track record, evidenced by research publications and recognitions.
If you secure a permanent position in India after selection, the fellowship and HRA components will stop, but you can still utilize the research grant for the remaining fellowship tenure.
The upper age limit for applicants is 45 years.
Once selected, you will need to establish a two-member advisory committee, comprising one member from your host institute and one from another institute in India or abroad in your research area. This committee will guide your research.

How To Apply

The application process for the Ramalingaswami Re-Entry Fellowship generally involves the following steps:

Identify a suitable host institution in India (university, research institute, or recognized R&D organization) where you wish to conduct your research.
Prepare a detailed research proposal outlining your planned work. You can find the format for the proposed research work here.
Obtain necessary documentation from your potential host institute, including a certificate in the prescribed format. You can find the Certificate by Host Institute format here.
Gather all the required documents as listed below.
Submit your complete application with all supporting documents through your chosen host institution. The forwarding letter should be from the Head of the Institution (e.g., Registrar, Vice-Chancellor, Director, Dean Research). Applications forwarded by the Head of a division will not be considered.

Official Source: For detailed application guidelines and to stay updated, please refer to the Regional Centre for Biotechnology website.

Documents Required

To apply for the Ramalingaswami Re-Entry Fellowship, please ensure you have the following documents ready:

Proof of Date of Birth
A copy of your Passport (if applicable)
Your Doctoral Degree Certificate
Details of your Research Contributions
Reprints of your 5 Best Research Publications
Your Research Proposal, detailing your Proposed Research Work.
A Certificate from your Host Institute.
Letters of Recommendation
An Undertaking from the applicant or Statement from Current Employer, certifying that you are not in a permanent position in India (if applicable).

Official Sources: For complete details and specific formats, please visit the Regional Centre for Biotechnology website.

FAQ’s

Can I apply if I've already returned to India?

Yes, you can apply if you returned to India less than a year before the application deadline (two years for women candidates), provided you haven't secured a permanent job in India during that period.

What is the maximum age limit to apply?

The upper age limit for applicants is 45 years as of the application deadline.

Is there a requirement for a host institute in India?

Yes, you must identify and secure a host institute or university in India where you intend to conduct your research. The application needs to be forwarded by the Head of that institution.

How long is the fellowship tenure?

The fellowship is initially for three years. It can be extended by another two years in exceptional cases after a review. Those who get permanent jobs during the fellowship are not eligible for the extension.

What does the fellowship amount include?

You'll receive a consolidated monthly fellowship of ₹1,00,000 plus an additional House Rent Allowance (HRA) of ₹18,500 per month. There's also a research grant of ₹13 lakh per year for consumables, equipment, travel, and personnel, along with ₹50,000 per year as institutional overhead.

Does the scheme count research experience gained in industry?

Yes, any research experience obtained after your Ph.D/MD or equivalent, regardless of whether it was in an academic institution or industry, will be considered.

Can I apply for this fellowship and another scheme at the same time?

You can apply for multiple schemes simultaneously. However, if you are selected for more than one, you will need to choose and accept only one fellowship.

What is the minimum post-doctoral research experience required?

You need at least three years of post-doctoral research experience in overseas laboratories to be eligible.

What if my post-doctoral experience is just a month short of the requirement?

Unfortunately, if your post-doctoral experience falls short by even a month, you will not be eligible to apply.

Are Overseas Citizens of India (OCI) eligible?

No, this fellowship is exclusively for Indian nationals. Overseas Citizens of India are not eligible to apply.

What is my status at the host institute if I receive the fellowship?

Your position at the host institute will be temporary. However, the Department encourages institutes to treat fellows similarly to faculty members (e.g., Assistant Professor/Scientist D) for facilities like medical benefits. You may also be allowed to supervise Ph.D. students.

Is the fellowship amount taxable?

Yes, the fellowship is subject to taxation as per the Government of India's rules. For tax-related queries, you should contact the relevant tax authorities directly.

What if I accept a permanent position in India after returning?

If you accept a permanent position in India, your fellowship and HRA will be discontinued. However, you can still utilize the research grant component for the remaining period of your fellowship.

Can a host institute nominate multiple candidates?

Yes, a single host institute can nominate more than one candidate. However, each candidate can only submit their application through one host institute.

When does my post-doctoral experience start counting from?

Your post-doctoral experience will be counted from the date you officially joined as a post-doctoral fellow, after your Ph.D. degree was awarded.