Ramalingaswami Re-Entry Fellowship 2026

The Ramalingaswami Re-Entry Fellowship by the Department of Biotechnology is designed for Indian nationals working abroad in Read More... biotechnology and life sciences, encouraging them to pursue research careers in India. Read less

Details

Are you a talented Indian scientist working overseas in biotechnology or life sciences and dreaming of bringing your expertise back home? The Department of Biotechnology (DBT) has a special opportunity for you – the Ramalingaswami Re-Entry Fellowship.

What Is This Scheme?

This fellowship is DBT's initiative to attract brilliant Indian minds from abroad to contribute to scientific research in India. It supports you in setting up your research lab and continuing your cutting-edge work in any Indian university or scientific institution.

Who Can Benefit From This Scheme?

This fellowship is specifically for Indian nationals who have a strong research background and are currently working in overseas research institutions in fields like life sciences, biotechnology, bio-engineering, healthcare, agriculture, veterinary biotechnology, bio-energy, and related areas.

Why This Scheme Is Important

The goal is to leverage the advanced knowledge and experience of Indian scientists returning from abroad to boost India's research and development capabilities. It provides a platform for them to lead independent research projects, foster innovation, and mentor the next generation of scientists in India.

Objective

The Ramalingaswami Re-Entry Fellowship by the Department of Biotechnology is designed for Indian nationals working abroad in biotechnology and life sciences, encouraging them to pursue research careers in India.

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

You must be an Indian national working in any area of 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 an equivalent qualification in life sciences/ agriculture, bioinformatics, engineering, technology, or medicine, along with at least three years of post-doctoral research experience in overseas laboratories.
If you have returned to India within one year of the advertisement's closing date (two years for women candidates), you are eligible. However, if you have already secured a permanent position in India during this time, you cannot apply.
You must have a demonstrated and outstanding research record, supported by publications and recognitions.
If you join a permanent position in India, the fellowship and HRA components will stop, but you can still utilize the research grant component for the remaining fellowship tenure.
The upper age limit for applicants is 45 years.
Selected fellows will need to form a two-member advisory committee (one from the host institute, one from another institute in India or abroad) to guide their research work.

How To Apply

Prepare your research proposal detailing your Proposed Research Work.
Obtain a Certificate from your chosen Host Institute in India. Ensure the forwarding is done by the Head of the Institution (e.g., Registrar, Vice Chancellor, Director, Dean Research). Forwardal from a Division Head will not be accepted.
Gather all required documents as listed below.
Submit your application, typically through the designated portal or as per the advertisement. The application can be forwarded through a single host institute.
An undertaking or statement from your current employer certifying that you are not in a permanent position in India might be required if applicable (Undertaking Format).

Official Source: Regional Centre for Biotechnology

Documents Required

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

FAQ’s

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

Yes, you can apply if you've returned to India less than a year ago (or less than two years ago for women candidates) from the advertisement's closing date. However, if you've secured a permanent job in India during this time, you're not eligible.

What is the age limit for this fellowship?

The maximum age to apply for this fellowship is 45 years as of the application deadline.

How long is the fellowship for?

The fellowship is initially for a period of three years. In special cases, it can be extended by another two years after a review. Those who have already secured a permanent faculty position won't be considered for extension.

What if my post-doctoral experience is just a month short of the required period on the application deadline?

Unfortunately, if your post-doctoral experience is short by even a month, you will not be considered eligible for the fellowship.

Can I apply for this fellowship if I am an Overseas Citizen of India (OCI)?

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

Do I need to have a host institute in India when I apply?

Yes, you absolutely need to identify and select a host institute or university in India where you intend to conduct your research. The application must be officially forwarded by the Head of that Institution (like the Registrar, Vice Chancellor, Director, or Dean of Research).

What is the monthly financial support provided?

Selected fellows will receive a monthly consolidated remuneration of ₹1,00,000/-. Additionally, you'll get a House Rent Allowance (HRA) of ₹18,500/- per month.

Will my experience in an industrial R&D role count as research experience?

Yes, any research experience gained after completing your PhD/MD (or equivalent), regardless of whether it was in an academic institution or an industry, will be considered.

Can I apply for multiple schemes at the same time?

You are welcome to apply for more than one scheme simultaneously. However, if you are selected for multiple fellowships, you will need to choose and accept only one.

What is the required post-doctoral experience for applicants?

You need to have completed at least three years of post-doctoral research experience in recognized research laboratories outside of India.

Does the fellowship cover research expenses?

Yes, besides your personal fellowship, a research and contingency grant of ₹13.00 lakh per year is provided for consumables, minor equipment, travel, hiring staff, and other research-related expenditures. An annual institutional overhead of ₹50,000 is also provided.

Does the fellowship amount include taxes?

The fellowship is taxable according to the rules set by the Government of India. For any tax-related queries, you should directly contact the relevant tax authorities.

Is the research experience gained after returning to India counted?

No, only the post-doctoral research experience you gained while working overseas will be considered for eligibility.

What is my professional status at the host institute after joining as a fellow?

Your position will be temporary. However, the Department encourages host institutions to provide you with facilities similar to those offered to faculty members (like Assistant Professor/Scientist D), including medical benefits. They might also allow you to supervise PhD students.

Can my application be forwarded by two different host institutes in India?

No, you can only submit your application through one designated host institute. However, a single host institute can nominate multiple candidates.

When does the counting of post-doctoral experience begin?

Your post-doctoral experience is counted from the date you officially joined as a post-doctoral fellow, after receiving your PhD degree.