Prime Minister’s Fellowship for Doctoral Research: Bridge Your PhD to Industry Success

The process of pursuing a PhD is an extraordinary endeavor, however, what happens in case your work had a direct impact on the future of industry and innovation? The Prime Minister Fellowship in Doctoral Research is a highly regarded national programme and that is exactly what it aims to accomplish.

It is not just an average scholarship but a special alliance between the most intelligent minds of India and the most powerful industries in India. And this fellowship might be your catapult, in case you are a doctoral scholar and love doing applied research.

What is the Prime Minister’s Fellowship for Doctoral Research?

Think of a PhD in which your academic rigour is combined with actual industrial challenges. A prime programme that leads to profound industry-academia partnership is the Prime Minister Fellowship instituted by the Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB), and sponsored by the Department of Science and Technology, Government of India.

It is meant to encourage the best Indian researchers to do a PhD on what is scientifically worthy but is also likely to be commercially valuable. The scheme is carried out by Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI).

The Core Aim of the Scheme

The fellowship has a mission, which is succinct and strong:

To encourage young Indian PhD scientists who have potential to pursue the industry-related research in Science, Technology, Engineering, Agriculture and Medicine.
To develop strong and sustainable relationships between industry and academia in order to develop the Research and Development situation in India.
To nurture innovation in areas of concern to the industry with resulting tangible outputs in form of patents, new products and improved processes.

Why Should You Apply? Key Features & Benefits

The fellowship is not only about the financial support but about an unequaled ecosystem to be able to grow.

💡 Attractive Financial Scholarship

Fellows receive double the standard JRF/SRF fellowship amount.
The cost is shared equally by the Government of India and an industry partner, ensuring strong commitment from both sides.

🤝 Unique Industry-Academia Mentorship

You are guided by two mentors: an academic supervisor from your institution and an industry expert from your partner company.
This dual guidance ensures your research remains cutting-edge and commercially viable.

🌍 National Exposure & Networking

The programme includes annual review meetings and periodic mentorship sessions with national experts, providing incredible networking opportunities and exposure.

📈 Focus on Tangible Outcomes

The research is geared towards creating real-world impact, be it through patents, licenses, or new products and processes.

⏳ Fellowship Duration

The scholarship is awarded for a maximum period of four years.

Are You Eligible? Check Your Qualification

Before you apply, ensure you meet these crucial criteria:

Nationality: You must be an Indian citizen.
Academic Status: You must be a full-time PhD scholar enrolled in any recognised Indian university, institute, or research laboratory.
Timing is Key: You must apply within 14 months of your PhD admission or registration, whichever is earlier.
The Crucial Industry Partner: You must have a confirmed industry partner who is ready to provide financial support (50% of the fellowship) as well as guidance and mentorship.
Research Topic: The agreed-upon research topic must be innovative, practically relevant, and have clear industrial applications.
Exclusivity: You cannot hold any other fellowship concurrently if selected for this scheme.

Your Step-by-Step Guide to the Application Process

The application is entirely online. Follow these steps carefully:

Step 01: Register Online
- Visit either www.primeministerfellowshipscheme.in or www.serbficci-iirrada.in and register as a student.
Step 02: Prepare & Download
- Download the official ‘Call for Proposal’ and ‘Document Checklist’ from the portal to understand the requirements.
Step 03: Secure Your Partnership
- This is the most critical step. Tie up with a company and get the required undertakings signed by an authorised signatory from the company and your host institute.
Step 04: Gather Documents
- Collect and create digital copies of all required documents (see list below).
Step 05: Fill & Submit Online
- Fill out the application form directly on the portal (it cannot be downloaded) and submit it.

Important Note: Do not send any physical copies of your application to CII or FICCI.

Documents Checklist: Get Your File Ready

Have these documents scanned and ready for upload:

Recent passport-sized photograph
PhD Enrolment & Registration Certificate
Academic Mark Sheets/Certificates (10th, 12th, Graduation, Post-Graduation)
Profile of your Host Institute
Bio-data of your PhD Supervisor (max. 3 pages)
Profile and Logo of your Partner Company
Bio-data of your Industry Mentor (max. 3 pages)
Signed Undertakings from both your Institute and the Industry Partner
A formal letter from the industry partner detailing the research problem
Research Synopsis
Any relevant publications

How Are Fellows Selected? The Key Parameters

The selection panel looks for projects that stand out. Your application will be evaluated on:

Innovation & Scientific Merit: The project must be novel and have high scientific value.
Commercialisation Potential: A clear path for the research to be used in industry is crucial.
Track Record: The strengths of the applicant, the academic guide, and the industry mentor are all considered.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1: I don’t have an industry partner yet. Can I still apply?
No, an established industry partner is a requirement to be applied. The portals do not guide you directly to one, this is a task to accomplish on your own, through networking and reaching out to companies that are suitable to your research.

Q2: Can I reapply if I am not selected this year?
Yes, as long as you satisfy the eligibility requirements especially the 14 months period after your first registration in the PhD program.

Q3: Which institutes can I pursue my PhD at?
PhD scholars in any recognised Indian institution are welcome to the fellowship. The past fellows have represented a wide spectrum of prestigious universities as they include:

IITs, IISc, NITs
Anna University, Banaras Hindu University
Indian Agricultural Research Institute
National Chemical Laboratory
Savitribai Phule Pune University, and many more.

Q4: Is the application confirmation automated?
After successfully submitting your online application, you are supposed to get an automated response. It is always a good idea to have a screen shot of the submission confirmation.

Ready to Transform Your Research Career?

The Prime Minister Fellowship is not just a cash cheque, it’s an opportunity of a lifetime. It puts you at the cross of discovery and implementation and makes your work powerful enough to stimulate economic development and technological progress.

Don’t miss your chance. Review the eligibility, find your industry partner, and prepare a compelling application today.

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