Details
“Visiting Advanced Joint Research
(VAJRA) Faculty Scheme” was launched by the Department of Science and
Technology, Government of India to bring a strong international connection to
the R&D ecosystem of India. The scheme offers adjunct/visiting faculty assignments
to overseas scientists, faculty members, and R&D professionals including
Non-resident Indians (NRI) and Overseas Citizens of India (OCI) to undertake
high-quality collaborative research in publicly funded academic and research
Institutions of India. VAJRA Faculty will engage in collaborative research in
cutting-edge areas of science and technology including interdisciplinary areas
of priority such as energy, water, health, security, nutrition, materials and
manufacturing, etc. with one or more Indian Collaborators. VAJRA Faculty is
expected to co-guide research students and may also be involved in technology
development, innovation, start-ups, etc. The Science and Engineering Research
Board (SERB), a Statutory body of the Department will implement the Scheme.
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.
Eligibility
- The scheme is open to overseas scientists, faculty members, and R&D professionals including Non-resident Indians (NRI) and Overseas Citizens of India (OCI).
- The overseas scientist/faculty should be an active researcher working in a leading academic/research/industrial organization with a proven track record of research and development.
- Indian Collaborator(s) should be a regular faculty/researcher in academic/research institutions.
- Indian Collaborator(s) from the Top 10 Private Institutions as per the NIRF ranking are also eligible to apply if the Institute contributes 50% of the cost.
Application Process
Online
Step 01: Application for the VAJRA Faculty
Scheme can be submitted throughout the year.
Step 02: The Indian collaborator should
identify appropriate overseas faculty/ researcher and jointly frame a research
plan.
Step 03: The Lead Indian collaborator should
submit the application online at www.serbonline.in.
Step 04: The Indian Collaborator should
register in the SERB Online Portal.
click here to register
Step 05: If there are Other Indian
Collaborators as part of the proposed work, then it is to be ensured that all
the other Indian Collaborator(s) are registered in the SERB online portal and
have filled all mandatory fields in the Profile Details section under User
Profile.
Step 06: Under 'Form Submission' choose
Scheme: VAJRA for opening the online submission form.
Step 07: All the details need to be filled
in the online submission form.
Step 08: Endorsement certificate from Indian
Institution and consent letter from overseas faculty institution for
participation as VAJRA Faculty, should be uploaded during the time of submission.
Step 09: On submission of the online
application, a link to view the submitted application will be sent to the
overseas faculty. On his acceptance, the application would be deemed formally
submitted for further consideration.
Step 10: The Committee for evaluating the
applications will meet twice a year and make its recommendations. SERB will
announce the results subsequently.
Documents Required
- Passport size photograph
- CV of VAJRA Faculty (including academic qualifications, research experience, awards/honors, and a maximum of ten relevant research publications)
- Technical details of the proposed work
- Certificate from Lead Indian Collaborator
- Endorsement Letter from Indian Collaborator Institution
- Letter from Institution of VAJRA Faculty
- Any other document, as required
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it ok if a faculty member invites
two overseas faculty for VAJRA? Are there any constraints/limits (in terms of
number) by institution?
There are no constraints to the
number of VAJRA Faculties in an Institute. But at a time only one VAJRA Faculty
will be awarded to the Indian Lead Collaborator.
Which is the implementing agency of
this scheme?
Science and Engineering Research
Board, Government of India
Are private/NGO institutes eligible
to apply under VAJRA Scheme?
Indian Collaborator(s) from Top 10
Private Institutions as per the NIRF ranking are also eligible to apply if the
Institute contributes 50% of the cost.
Whether any Overhead/research grant
or any other component is allowed under this scheme in excess of the lump sum
amount of $15000 (or $10000) to be disbursed to the VAJRA foreign faculty?
Research Contingency Grant of ₹5.0
lakhs per year of research visits per VAJRA Faculty to the Indian host to meet
expenses related to the collaborative research will be provided. Support to
VAJRA Faculty to the tune of ₹1.0 lakh per year to give lectures in his/her
area of expertise in the host Institute. No Other components such as Overhead,
Equipment, Manpower, etc. are provided under the scheme.
Are there any specific areas for
which VAJRA can be applied?
There are no specific areas under
VAJRA Scheme. The collaboration should be in the frontier areas of science and
technology.
Are there any tax implications on
this award?
The Honorarium disbursed to the VAJRA
Faculty is taxable as per the norms of Government of India as applicable in
such collaborative research visits.
Is it permissible for an eligible
person to be a foreign faculty in two applications from different host
institutions?
More than one application can be
submitted. But in the event of selection at a time only one application will be
entertained.
Can the other Indian Collaborator be
from a different Institute?
We welcome collaborations from
multiple Institutes. But the physical presence of VAJRA Faculty in the host
Institute is to be ensured.
What is the duration of VAJRA Award?
VAJRA Fellowship will be initially
for a duration of 1 year. Three months physical presence of VAJRA faculty is
expected in a year. It can be renewed further based on the Collaborative
Interest and recommendations of a committee, constituted for this purpose.
What is the nature and support
provided for the visit of Indian Faculty to VAJRA Faculty Institute?
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 lakh, per-diem, and accommodation as per the
existing norms of the Board.
What is the nature and support
provided for the visit of Doctoral/PostDoctoral Students from the lab of Indian
Lead Collaborator to VAJRA Faculty Institute?
Collaborative research visit of not more
than 2 students, doctoral, preferably co-advised by the VAJRA faculty/
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.
Sources And References
Official Website CLICK HERE
SERB Website CLICK HERE
DST Website CLICK HERE
Scheme Details CLICK HERE
