VAIBHAV FELLOWSHIP SCHEME (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 - Sci & Tech)

Context: Addressing the International Ministerial meet of Joint 8th Mission Innovation Ministerial (MI-8) and 14th Clean Energy Ministerial (CEM-14), Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Science & Technology; MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space urged the Indian diaspora abroad to engage with India.

Key Points

• The 8th Mission Innovation Ministerial and 14th Clean Energy Ministerial, hosted by the Government of India, took place alongside the G20 in Goa, India. 
• The Vaishvik Bhartiya Vaigyanik (VAIBHAV) Fellowship programme, introduced recently by Prime Minister is a step in this direction. 
• The Fellowship would be awarded to outstanding scientists/technologists of Indian origin (NRI/OCI/PIO) who are engaged in research activities in their respective countries. 
• The 75 selected fellows would be invited to work in 18 identified knowledge verticals including quantum technology, energy and material sciences amongst others.

VAIBHAV Fellowship scheme

• About: The fellowship offers NRI researchers an opportunity to work for a minimum of one month to a maximum of two months a year with a research institution or an academic institution in India.
• Duration: Three years with the government offering the researchers an amount of up to Rs 37 lakh for the entire period.
• Objectives: Improving the research ecosystem of India’s Higher Educational Institutions by facilitating academic and research collaborations between Indian Institutions and the best institutions in the world.
• This is done through the mobility of faculty/researchers from overseas institutions to India.
• Eligibility: Researchers from institutions featuring in the top 500 QS World University Rankings will be eligible for the fellowship.
• The applicant should be a Non-Resident Indian (NRI), Person of Indian Origin (PIO) or Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) and she or he must have obtained Ph.D/M.D/M.S degree from a recognized University.
• Significance: The best of Diaspora minds will collaborate with domestic Minds to deliver world-class projects and products.