Online applications are invited for the M K Bhan Young Researcher Fellowship Programme 2023. The last date for the application is November 30, 2023.

About Scheme

The Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Ministry of Science & Technology, Government of India, launched a new grant opportunity in 2020-21, the M K BHAN – YOUNG RESEARCHER FELLOWSHIP PROGRAMME (MKB-YRFP), with an aim to encourage young bright researchers to continue their research in the country after Ph.D. The scheme is to offer an independent research grant to young Post-Doctoral Fellows, so as to enable them to emerge as future leaders and take up cutting-edge research focused on issues of national relevance. This fellowship will be awarded for Research work to be carried out at DBT-Autonomous Institutes only.

M K Bhan Young Researcher Fellowship Programme

Fellowship Objective

  • To provide attractive opportunities for young researchers to develop them as independent investigators.
  • This will enable young researchers to pursue their research interests within the country and also develop a critical mass of trained scientists for the country’s research institutions, universities and major new initiatives.

Eligibility Criteria

  • The applicant should be an Indian National and possess a PhD in any branch of Life Sciences/ Biotechnology/allied areas.
  • Applicant should not be holding a permanent position in any institute/university.
    The applicant should have an excellent track record as evidenced by peer-reviewed publications, technologies developed, and patents (if any). 
  • Those who have submitted their PhD are also eligible to apply; however, the fellowship can be implemented only after the award of the degree.
  • Applicant should not take up a fellowship at the Institute where he/she has done his/her Ph.D.
  • Each applicant must identify a host institute and a mentor.
  • The upper age limit will be 35 years as of the closing date of the submission of the application.
  • Applicants cannot have more than one fellowship at a given point in time.
  • The application has to be endorsed by the mentor and the head of the host institute (DBT Autonomous Institute) chosen by the applicant to take up the fellowship in the prescribed format.
  • In case a fellow has accepted a regular position in the DBT autonomous institute, the salary component of the fellowship will be discontinued from the date of joining the position, however, other components of the fellowship will be continued for the remaining tenure of the fellowship.
  • The fellowship is a co-terminus with the project duration.

Nature of Support

  • The scheme provides a consolidated monthly remuneration of Rs. 75,000/- p.m.
  • MKB-YRFP fellows in addition will receive a research/contingency grant of Rs. 20.00 lakh per year for hiring manpower, purchase of consumables, minor equipment, domestic travel and other contingent expenditures to be incurred for the implementation of the research proposal selected for the fellowship.
  • MK Bhan fellow can engage one manpower (JRF/SRF/Project Assistant/Project Associate) under him/her.
  • Capital equipment will be procured in the name of the institute where the fellow proposes to work and the value of the whole set of equipment should not exceed Rs.10.00 lakh during the whole tenure of the project.
  • (MKB-YRFP fellows will be eligible for regular research grants through extramural and other schemes of various S&T agencies of the Govt. of India, provided that Co-PI is a regular faculty. However, they can take research grants from anywhere but salary from only one source.

Where will MKB-YRFP Fellows work?

  • MKB-YRFP Fellows can take up the Young Investigator grant at any of the DBTAutonomous institutions.
  • However, the application should be duly forwarded by the competent authority of the host Institute.
  • Fellows can change their host institute only once during the tenure of the fellowship with the prior No Objection Certificate from the host institute who has forwarded the application (Director/Registrar).
  • The proposed new institute should also be a DBT Autonomous Institute.
  • Candidate should submit his/her nomination through a single host institute only. However, institutions can nominate more than one candidate.

Duration

  • Up to 50 fellowships will be provided each year.
  • The duration of the fellowship will be for a maximum period of three years and in exceptional cases the duration could be extended by another two years on a fresh appraisal.

How to Apply?

Deadline

  • The last date for the application is November 30, 2023

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Engineering, Fellowships, Science