Visiting Advanced Joint Research Faculty Scheme 2026

The VAJRA Faculty Scheme invites overseas scientists, faculty, and R&D professionals, including NRIs and OCIs, to collaborate Read More... on advanced research in Indian academic and research institutions. Read less

Details

India is stepping up its game in scientific research and development, and the Department of Science and Technology (DST) has launched a fantastic initiative to bring global talent right to our doorstep. The Visiting Advanced Joint Research (VAJRA) Faculty Scheme is all about fostering strong international ties in India's R&D sector.

What Is This Scheme?

The VAJRA Faculty Scheme allows top overseas scientists, faculty members, and R&D professionals, including Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) and Overseas Citizens of India (OCI), to take up adjunct or visiting faculty positions in Indian government-funded academic and research institutions. The goal is to conduct high-quality collaborative research in crucial areas like energy, water, health, security, and advanced materials.

Who Can Benefit From This Scheme?

This scheme is primarily for overseas researchers who are actively involved in research and development and have a strong track record. Indian academic and research institutions with regular faculty members can host these international experts. Even private institutions ranked in the top 10 by NIRF are eligible if they can contribute 50% of the costs.

Why This Scheme Is Important

VAJRA aims to infuse India's research ecosystem with international expertise and perspectives. It encourages collaborative projects, helps co-guide research students, and can even spark technology development and startups. The Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB) is managing this exciting initiative.

Objective

The VAJRA Faculty Scheme invites overseas scientists, faculty, and R&D professionals, including NRIs and OCIs, to collaborate on advanced research in Indian academic and research institutions.

Benefits

The residency period of VAJRA Faculty in India would be for a minimum of 1 month and a maximum of 3 months.
VAJRA Faculty will be provided US$ 15000 in the first month of engagement and US$ 10000 p.m. in the subsequent two months. While 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 the VAJRA Faculty for a period not less than a 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 visit of not more than 2 students, doctoral, preferably co-advised / post-doctoral level after 2 years of engagement from the research group of Indian host to the Institute of the VAJRA Faculty for a duration of three to six months will be supported. The board will provide a return economy airfare, a one-time contingency grant of ₹60,000/- and fellowship equivalent to the norms of the Board.
Research Contingency Grant to the hosting Indian Collaborator:₹5.0 lakhs per year of research visit per VAJRA Faculty to the Indian host to meet expenses related to the collaborative research will also be provided.
Support to engage VAJRA Faculty to give lectures in his/her area of expertise in the host Institute:Support to VAJRA Faculty to the tune of ₹1.0 lakh per year for this activity will be provided.

Sources and references

Official Website

Who Can Apply?

Overseas scientists, faculty members, and R&D professionals, including NRIs and OCIs.
The overseas researcher must be actively working in a leading academic, research, or industrial organization with a proven R&D background.
Indian collaborators must be regular faculty or researchers in academic/research institutions.
Faculty from India's Top 10 Private Institutions (as per NIRF ranking) can also apply if their institute shares 50% of the cost.

How To Apply

Applications are typically submitted online. The process involves collaboration between the overseas faculty and their Indian counterpart. Ensure all required documents are prepared beforehand.

For detailed application guidelines and to submit your application, please visit the official website of the Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB).

Official Link: http://serb.gov.in/

What You'll Need

Passport size photograph
Curriculum Vitae (CV) of the VAJRA Faculty: This should detail academic qualifications, research experience, awards, and up to ten key publications.
Technical details of the proposed collaborative research work.
A certificate from the Lead Indian Collaborator.
An endorsement letter from the Indian Collaborator Institution.
A letter from the VAJRA Faculty's current institution.
Any other documents that may be specified.

FAQ’s

Can I apply as a VAJRA faculty if I'm already working with another overseas faculty on a different project?

Yes, you can be part of multiple applications, even from different host institutions. However, if you are selected for more than one, you can only accept one VAJRA fellowship at a time.

What's the maximum duration for a VAJRA fellowship?

VAJRA fellowships are initially granted for one year, with an expected three-month physical presence of the VAJRA faculty in India annually. These can be renewed based on recommendations and continued collaborative interest.

Are there any specific scientific fields that the VAJRA scheme focuses on?

No, the VAJRA scheme isn't limited to specific fields. Collaborations are encouraged in any frontier area of science and technology.

Can an Indian faculty member have multiple overseas researchers apply under the VAJRA scheme?

There's no limit to how many VAJRA faculties an institution can host overall. However, an Indian lead collaborator can only be awarded one VAJRA faculty at any given time.

What kind of support is provided for Indian faculty to visit the VAJRA faculty's home institution?

The scheme supports one research visit per Indian host to the VAJRA faculty's institution, lasting between a week and 30 days. This includes economy airfare (up to ₹1.5 lakh), per diem, and accommodation as per SERB norms.

Will I get any extra funds for research overheads or equipment under VAJRA?

The scheme provides a Research Contingency Grant of ₹5.0 lakhs per VAJRA Faculty per year to the Indian host for collaborative research expenses. Additionally, ₹1.0 lakh per year is available for the VAJRA faculty to give lectures. No other overheads, equipment, or manpower costs are covered.

What is the implementing body for the VAJRA Faculty Scheme?

The scheme is implemented by the Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB), which is a statutory body under the Department of Science and Technology, Government of India.

Can an Indian collaborator be from a different institution than the lead collaborator?

Yes, collaborations involving multiple institutions are welcome. However, it's essential to ensure the physical presence of the VAJRA Faculty at the primary host institute.

What financial support is given to doctoral or post-doctoral students visiting from India?

Up to two doctoral or post-doctoral students from the Indian lead collaborator's research group can visit the VAJRA faculty's institution for three to six months. The support includes economy airfare, a one-time contingency grant of ₹60,000, and a fellowship as per SERB norms.

Are there tax implications on the honorarium paid to VAJRA faculty?

Yes, the honorarium paid to VAJRA faculty is subject to taxation according to the norms of the Government of India applicable to such collaborative research visits.

Are private institutions eligible to host VAJRA faculty?

Indian private institutions are eligible if they are ranked within the Top 10 by the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) and are willing to contribute 50% of the scheme's cost.