Have you ever dreamed of returning to India to pursue groundbreaking research after gaining experience abroad? The prestigious Ramanujan Fellowship might be your perfect pathway home. Named after the mathematical genius Srinivasa Ramanujan, this fellowship offers a golden opportunity for brilliant Indian minds to bring their expertise back to their homeland and contribute to India’s scientific advancement.
What Makes the Ramanujan Fellowship Special?
Unlike typical research positions, the Ramanujan Fellowship is designed specifically for exceptional Indian scientists and engineers currently working overseas who wish to return and establish their research careers in India. It’s not just another fellowship – it’s a highly selective program that recognizes and rewards outstanding talent.
Think of it as India rolling out the red carpet for its brightest minds abroad, saying, “Come back, we value your expertise, and we want to give you the freedom to pursue your innovative ideas here at home.”
The fellowship provides substantial financial support, research freedom, and the flexibility to work at any scientific institution of your choice across India. It’s essentially a launchpad for returning scientists to make their mark in Indian research without worrying about immediate job security or research funding.
What Does the Fellowship Offer?
If you’re wondering whether the support is substantial enough to justify returning from a potentially lucrative position abroad, let me break down the impressive benefits package:
Financial Support That Respects Your Expertise: You’ll receive a generous monthly fellowship of ₹1,35,000 (including HRA), which ensures you can maintain a comfortable lifestyle while focusing on your research passions.
Substantial Research Funding: The fellowship comes with an annual research grant of ₹7,00,000. This isn’t pocket change – it’s serious funding that allows you to purchase equipment, materials, travel for conferences, hire research personnel, and cover other contingencies that arise during your work.
Institutional Support: Your host institution receives ₹60,000 annually as overhead charges, ensuring they have the resources to support your administrative needs.
Long-term Stability: The fellowship runs for five years, giving you ample time to establish yourself in the Indian research ecosystem, build networks, and potentially secure a permanent position.
Access to Additional Funding: As a Ramanujan Fellow, you remain eligible to apply for regular research grants from various Science and Technology agencies of the Indian government, potentially multiplying your research resources.
International Exposure: The fellowship allows for one foreign trip per year (subject to fund availability), ensuring you can maintain your international collaborations and stay connected with global research trends.
Are You Eligible to Apply?
Before you get too excited, let’s check if you meet the criteria for this prestigious fellowship:
You must be an Indian scientist or engineer currently working abroad and under 40 years of age. This fellowship is specifically designed as a homecoming opportunity for Indian talent that has been developing expertise overseas.
Academic qualifications matter – you should possess a Ph.D. in Science/Engineering, a Master’s in Engineering or Technology, an MD in Medicine, or an equivalent higher degree, along with adequate professional experience.
This isn’t for everyone – the fellowship is highly selective and targets those with proven outstanding track records, evidenced through research publications and recognitions in your field.
You shouldn’t currently hold any permanent, tenure-track, or contractual position in any Indian Institute or University. The fellowship is meant to be a pathway back to India, not a supplement to existing positions.
Here’s an important point to consider: if you’re selected and later secure a permanent, tenure-track, or contractual position in India, you’ll need to relinquish the fellowship entirely. It’s designed as a transitional support system until you find your permanent home in the Indian research landscape.
The fellowship encourages exploration of new research areas and environments – you can’t work at the same institution where you obtained your doctorate degree. This promotes fresh collaborations and expansion of research capabilities across different institutions in India.
Nominations from your Ph.D. guides or from the same institute where you completed your Ph.D. won’t be considered. This ensures diversity of thought and prevents concentration of talent in already established research circles.
How to Apply: A Step-by-Step Guide
The application process for the Ramanujan Fellowship is straightforward but requires careful preparation. Let me walk you through it:
Step 1: Choose Your Host Institution First, identify the S&T Institution, University Department, Academic Institution, or National Laboratory in India where you’d like to work. Reach out to them to confirm they’re willing to host you and provide the necessary administrative and infrastructural support for your research.
Step 2: Secure a Nomination Once you have a potential host institution, you’ll need them to nominate you for the fellowship. This institutional backing is crucial as it demonstrates that a reputable Indian research entity believes in your potential and is ready to support your work.
Step 3: Register on the SERB Online Portal Visit Official page and create your account. This portal will be your gateway to the application process.
Step 4: Complete Your Profile After logging in, fill in all the mandatory fields in the Profile Details section under User Profile. Don’t skip any details – include your photo, institution information, address, and other required information.
Step 5: Submit the Fellowship Nomination Form Under Form Submission, select “Ramanujan Fellowship” as your scheme and complete the nomination form. You’ll need to provide your personal details, qualifications, and information about your nominator.
Step 6: Prepare Your Research Proposal This is perhaps the most critical part of your application. Create a compelling outline of your proposed research area and upload it as a single PDF file (not exceeding 5 pages). Make sure your proposal highlights the innovative aspects of your work and its potential impact on Indian science and technology.
Step 7: Submit to Your Nominator After filling in all details, click on “Send to Nominator.” Your nominator will receive an email with a link to view your completed form.
Step 8: Nominator’s Approval Your nominator will review your application and can either submit it directly to SERB or send it back to you for revisions. Once they submit it, both you and your nominator will receive confirmation of successful submission.
Step 9: Await Selection Selection of Ramanujan Fellows is made periodically by a specially appointed Search-cum-Selection Committee. The process typically takes time, so patience is key.
Remember, nominations for the Ramanujan Fellowship are accepted throughout the year, so there’s no specific deadline to worry about.
Essential Documents for Your Application
To ensure a smooth application process, gather these documents beforehand:
•A professional passport-size photograph
•Proof of your date of birth
•Certificates of your educational qualifications
•Documentation of any awards or honors you’ve received
•A comprehensive list of your publications
•Patent information (if applicable)
•A nomination letter on the official letterhead of your nominating institution
•Your detailed curriculum vitae
•A signed plagiarism undertaking
•Any other documents specifically requested during the application process
Common Questions About the Fellowship
Is the fellowship amount taxable? Yes, like most income in India, the fellowship grant is subject to Indian income tax regulations.
What’s the main purpose of this fellowship? The Ramanujan Fellowship aims to motivate exceptional Indian scientists and engineers working overseas to return to India and contribute to cutting-edge research in new areas, particularly those not connected with their previous work.
Can I work in any research area? Yes, you can work in any field of scientific research pursued in India, though the fellowship particularly encourages exploration of new research areas different from your previous work.
Where can I work as a Ramanujan Fellow? You have the freedom to choose any S&T institution in India, including national laboratories, universities, or other academic institutions, provided they agree to host you.
Can I receive payment from other sources while on this fellowship? No, you cannot receive additional payment from any organization while receiving the Ramanujan Fellowship.
What happens if I get offered a permanent position in India during my fellowship? If you secure a permanent, tenure-track, or contractual position, you’ll need to relinquish the fellowship entirely, including the research grant and overhead benefits.
Why Consider Coming Back to India?
The Ramanujan Fellowship isn’t just about financial support – it’s about being part of India’s growing scientific renaissance. As a returning scientist, you bring valuable international exposure, fresh perspectives, and cutting-edge techniques that can significantly contribute to India’s research ecosystem.
Many fellows have gone on to establish successful research groups, develop innovative technologies, and secure permanent positions at prestigious Indian institutions. The fellowship period gives you time to acclimatize to the Indian research environment, build local networks, and demonstrate your value to potential employers.
Moreover, India’s research landscape is evolving rapidly, with increasing funding, international collaborations, and a growing emphasis on innovation. Coming back now means you can be part of shaping this transformation rather than joining after it’s already established.
Ready to Take the Next Step?
If you’re an Indian scientist or engineer currently working abroad and dreaming of contributing to research back home, the Ramanujan Fellowship offers a prestigious and well-supported pathway to make that transition.
The application process remains open throughout the year, so you can apply whenever you feel ready. Start by reaching out to potential host institutions in India, discussing your research ideas, and securing their nomination.
For more information and to begin your application, visit the official SERB website or contact:
Member Secretary: Dr. Jacob V.V. Science and Engineering Research Board 3rd & 4th Floor, Block II, Technology Bhavan, New Mehrauli Road, New Delhi-110016 Tel: +91-11-26552216, Email: jacob@nic.in
Program Coordinator: Dr. Shashi Bhushan Pandey, Scientist ‘G’
Remember, the journey of a thousand discoveries begins with a single application. Your expertise and innovation could be exactly what India’s scientific community needs right now!