The initiative, called Vaibhav and launched by the Department of Science and Technology (DST), has completed its initial call for proposals and initiated the second call. It invites all Indian-origin scientists actively involved in research at recognized institutes abroad for at least five years to collaborate with a reputable institute or university in India, including the IITs
Nearly 75 Indian diaspora scientists are expected to return to India over the next three years to work on various science and technology projects under the government’s new fellowship scheme, with an allocation of about Rs 80 crore. The first group of 22 fellows has already been chosen and is anticipated to join institutes in April this year, reported timesnownews.com.
The initiative, called Vaibhav and launched by the Department of Science and Technology (DST), has completed its initial call for proposals and initiated the second call. It invites all Indian-origin scientists actively involved in research at recognized institutes abroad for at least five years to collaborate with a reputable institute or university in India, including the IITs.
Selected scientists will be required to spend 1-2 months annually for up to three years in India and will receive a grant of Rs 4 lakh per year ($4,800). While they may take leave to work briefly in India, they must provide a consent letter from their parent institute. The fellowship covers their international travel from the parent institute to India once a year, fully-furnished local accommodation for two months, Rs 1 lakh per year for research expenditure in India, and domestic travel to institutes within India.
Some areas are being prioritized in alignment with the government’s scientific missions, including the National Quantum Mission, National Supercomputing Mission, and Deep Ocean Mission. Engaging the Indian diaspora in related projects is expected to strengthen these missions and build necessary human resources in the long term.
Dr. Charu Agarwal from DST stated, “We received about 302 proposals last year, out of which 22 have been shortlisted and will receive award letters soon. Hopefully, they will join their respective institutes after April.”
The ministry will also provide financial support of up to Rs 5 lakh per year for three years to the institute facilitating the fellow’s research work. The scientists are chosen based on a research proposal submitted by the host institute they intend to collaborate with. All funds will be released to the institute, which will then disburse them to the fellow. While the fellowship is open to all areas under Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, and Medicine (STEMM), there is significant interest in Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML), and Data Science.
Dr. Agarwal emphasized the opportunity for collaboration between scientists working abroad and local counterparts. This collaboration can be beneficial for both parties, allowing the diaspora to
share new innovations and technology with Indian students while building networks and collaborating on research publications.
Some areas are being prioritized in alignment with the government’s scientific missions, including the National Quantum Mission, National Supercomputing Mission, and Deep Ocean Mission. Engaging the Indian diaspora in related projects is expected to strengthen these missions and build necessary human resources in the long term.
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