Prime Minister Early Career Research Grant

Objective

Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) has been recently established by an Act of Parliament, ANRF Act 2023, to seed, grow and foster a culture of research and innovation throughout the country. Under the guidance of Hon'ble Prime Minister, the President of the ANRF Governing Board, the foundation is set to commence several new initiatives to strengthen India's research and innovation ecosystem and accelerate scientific advancement through programs with diverse mandates as well as a series of measures to enhance ease of doing research.

Early career researchers are at the forefront of innovation and excellence, playing a vital role in the scientific and technological progress of the country. ANRF recognises that early career researchers are committed to produce research of the highest quality, bringing in new skills, breakthrough ideas and the zest to explore new frontiers, thereby expanding the boundaries of knowledge. This commitment of the early career researchers will significantly contribute in driving the ambitions of ANRF in positioning the country as a global leader in science and technology as well as creating a vibrant research ecosystem. ANRF considers its responsibility to empower and support the early career researchers in their pursuit of research excellence, providing them with an enabling environment to effectively conduct research with ease and flexibility. Pursuant to this objective, ANRF is initiating the program, Prime Minister's Early Career Research Grant with a flexible budget and progressive initiatives for ease of doing research.

ANRF invites early career researchers to be part of the transformative journey in leading the country to the forefront of scientific excellence.

Nature and duration of support

• Research grant up to Rs. 60 lakh plus overheads for a period of three years.
• The measures for ease of doing research include flexibility to utilize resources under recurring head; flexibility in manpower recruitment; enhanced travel, contingency and overhead charges; and support for expenses related to open access publications and patent filing charges.
• International travel for project related activities is also permitted.
• Maximum of 700 grants would be awarded per year across all subject areas.

Note: A one-time relaxation of the following eligibility criteria is accorded for the current call:

• The upper age limit of 42 years, with a relaxation of three years for SC/ST/OBC/ Physically Challenged and Women Candidates, will be calculated as on February 1, 2024 instead of "as on date of submission".
• The applicant should have joined the institution on or after February 01, 2022 instead of 'the applicant is eligible to apply within two years of joining the institution'.

Guidelines for the program

Eligibility

• The applicant should be an Indian citizen. PIO/OCI working as regular employees in any of the public funded and recognized R&D laboratories/institutions in India are eligible to apply as PI in collaboration with an Indian Co-PI, provided they fulfill the eligibility criteria notified by ANRF (ANRF Funding Guidelines for PIO/OCI) The applicant should hold a PhD degree in Science or Engineering or MD/MS/ MDS/MVSc degree.
• The applicant must hold a regular academic/research position in a recognized academic institution, national laboratories or any other recognized R&D institution.
• The applicant is eligible to apply within two years of joining the institution.
• The upper age limit for PM ECRG would be 42 years, with a relaxation of three years for SC/ST/OBC/Physically challenged and women candidates.
• Research Associates, Post doctoral Fellows, Ad-hoc faculties, Guest faculties, Visiting Scientists, Consultants, Project Fellows and faculty members whose contract is renewed every year are not eligible under PM ECRG. In respect of cases that are not mentioned above, ANRF reserves the right to determine the eligibility.
• Co-PIs are not allowed except in the case of PIO/OCI.
• The applicant should not have received YSS, ECR, SRG, CRG (erstwhile EMR) or any other grant of the erstwhile SERB or ANRF.

Mode of application and selection

• The Call for applications will be notified through the website www.anrfonline.in. The application should be submitted online at www.anrfonline.in(Note : Already registered PIs with the SERBONLINE portal(www.serbonline.in) may Login using the same credentials).
• Selection will be based on the recommendations of Expert Committee.

Termination and transfer of the project

• If any Principal Investigator (PI) wishes to terminate the project, they shall inform ANRF immediately with proper justifications. The implementing institute should not incur any expenditure from the date of termination of the project or the date of resignation of the PI. The institute must also arrange for the submission of relevant documents.
• ANRF reserves the right to terminate the project at any stage if it is convinced that (i) appropriate progress is not being made (ii) the grant has not been utilized properly (iii) furnishing of false information or suppression of factual information.
• Projects sanctioned under PM ECRG cannot be transferred to any other person/s.
• Transfer of approved/sanctioned PM ECRG project to another institution will be considered only in the following cases: (i) From private/public/government institution to any other public/government institution (ii) General administrative transfers in government or public funded institutions. Change of institute will not be considered in any other cases.

Other conditions

• An applicant is eligible to apply only one proposal during a call.
• The PM ECRG would be a one-time career grant.
• Extension of the project tenure is not permitted under PM ECRG.

How to apply online

For online submission of the application the following points may be noted:

• Applicants should first register in the ANRF online portal,www.anrfonline.in  click here to register
• After log-in, applicants are required to fill in all the mandatory fields under User Profile section, which includes Bio-data, Photo, Institute address, etc.
• Some of the details of a proposal like Project Title (max 500 characters), Project summary (max 3000 characters), Keywords (max 6), Objectives of the project (max 1500 characters), Expected output and outcome of the proposal (max 1500 characters), Budget (Research Personnel, Consumables, Travel, Equipment, Contingency, Overheads ) have to be entered at the time of proposal submission.
• Other relevant information of the proposal has to be uploaded as a single PDF file, not more than 10 MB, as a Technical Document (TD).

Documents required (in PDF format)

• Biodata (under user profile section)
• Certificate from Principal Investigator
• Endorsement Letter from the Head of Institution
• Age Proof Certificate (Class X marksheet or Birth certificate)
• Category Certificate (in case of Age Relaxation)
• Plagiarism undertaking

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1. What is the age limit for availing PM ECRG?
A1: The upper age limit for PM ECRG is 42 years, with a relaxation of three years for SC/ST/OBC/ Physically challenged and women candidates.

Q2: What is the nature of support under PM ECRG scheme?
A2: PM ECRG is a one-time grant and carries a maximum research grant of Rs. 60 Lakhs (excluding overheads) for a period of three years. The research grant covers equipment, research personnel, consumables, travel and contingency apart from overheads.

Q3: What is the duration of the PM ECRG project? Can it be extended?
A3: PM ECRG project period is of 3 years. There is no provision for extension of the project duration.

Q4:When should I apply for PM ECRG? Can I apply for the projects throughout the year?
A4: The Call for applications will be notified through the website www.anrfonline.in and www.anrf.gov.in . The application form along with a proper research proposal highlighting the research work to be undertaken should be submitted online through the website www.anrfonline.in during the call opening period.

Q5: How should I apply for PM ECRG?
A5: All applications should be submitted through the ANRF online portal www.anrfonline.in

Q6: Can I have a Co-PI in PM ECRG project? Can I have a Mentor in PM ECRG?
A6: Co-PI or Mentors are not allowed in this scheme. However, foreign nationals are mandated to have an Indian Co-PI.

Q7: I am working abroad as post-doc, and I want to return to India. I intend to apply for PM ECRG. But I have not yet finalized my place of work. Am I eligible to apply under the scheme?
A7: No. The applicant must hold a regular academic/research position in a recognized academic institution/ or national laboratories or any other recognized R&D institutions. Only after joining a research or academic institution, one can apply for the grants under this scheme.

Q8: I am implementing an PM ECRG project for the last one year. Am I eligible to apply for another project under any other scheme/award or fellowship programs of ANRF?
A8: In general, a PI is allowed to operate only one ANRF project at a time. Exceptions are allowed for some specific calls under certain topics/programs/schemes. In all other cases, PI can submit another proposal under regular schemes of ANRF six months prior to the date of completion of the ongoing PM ECRG project.

Q9: What documents should I send for receiving the next instalments of the grant?
A9: The PIs should upload annual Progress Report and financial statements at the end of each financial year. The release of the next instalment of the grant will be considered only after submission of Utilization Certificate (separately for Recurring & Non-recurring) and Statement of Expenditure, financial year wise.

Q10: I intend to change my Host Institution? What procedure should I follow?
A10: Change of host institute will be considered only (i) from a private/public/government institution to any other public/government institution or (ii) General administrative transfers in government or public funded institutions. Change of institute will not be considered for any other cases. Change of host institution can be undertaken only after obtaining due approval from ANRF.Transfer of the project along with balance grant and the assets to the new institute is allowed, provided the administrative authority of both institutes agree in writing. NOC from the previous host institute and Endorsement Form from the new host Institute must be sent to ANRF through the online portal.

Q11: What is the procedure for surrendering PM ECRG project?
A11: For termination of the project, PI need to inform the ANRF through the host institution immediately. The implementing institute should not incur any expenditure from the date of termination of the project or the date of resignation of PI. The institute must also arrange for the submission of relevant documents.

Q12: Can I be away from the implementing Institute when I am implementing the PM ECRG project?
A12: The PIs must seek the consent of ANRF if he/she intends to be away from the implementing institute (except for field work related to the project) continuously for a period of more than eight weeks.

Q13: What should be done for the unspent grant under PM ECRG project after the completion of the tenure of the project?
A13: The following documents should be sent to the ANRF after the duration of the project is completed:

• Final Consolidated Statement of Expenditure (in duplicate) , giving expenditure financial year wise (FY) from date of start till date of completion.
• Utilization Certificates (FY wise) for all FYs (in duplicate) matching with Statement of Expenditure figures in that FY.
• Project Completion Report (PCR) with a list of publications, and patents filed/granted.
• DD/ cheque for the unspent grant, drawn in favor of 'Science & Engineering Research Fund'.
• The Principal Investigator is responsible for the timely submission of progress reports, utilization certificates, project closure report (PCR), refund of unspent balance amount etc. at the end or early closure of the project.

Source: Prime Minister Early Career Research Grant