The Indian government has launched a new fellowship program called Vaishvik Bhartiya Vaigyanik (Vaibhav) to foster collaboration between the Indian diaspora in science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and medicine (STEMM) and academic and research institutions in India. Under the program, 75 scholars in 18 knowledge verticals will be awarded fellowships for collaborative research work in frontier areas of science and technology.
The Department of Science and Technology, under the Ministry of Science and Technology, will award fellowships to outstanding scientists and technologists of Indian origin who are engaged in research activities in their respective countries. The selected fellows will work in verticals such as quantum technology, health, pharmaceuticals, electronics, agriculture, energy, computer sciences, and material sciences.
The fellowship program aims to promote collaboration between the Indian diaspora and Indian higher educational institutions, universities, and public-funded scientific institutions. Fellows will spend up to two months per year for a maximum of three years collaborating with their Indian counterparts and initiating research activities in cutting-edge areas of science and technology.
The program offers a grant of up to Rs 4 lakh per month, as well as funding for international and domestic travel, accommodation, and contingencies. Applications for the fellowship can be submitted through the e-PMS portal of the Department of Science and Technology by 31st July 2023.
In addition, the government organized the Vaibhav Summit in New Delhi, which saw the participation of over 25,000 attendees, including Indian STEMM diaspora from more than 70 countries. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, inaugurating the summit, highlighted the government’s focus on boosting science, research, and innovation as key drivers of socio-economic transformations in India.