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PMRC Scheme 2026: The Ministry of Education has extended the application deadline for the Prime Minister's Research Chair (PMRC) Scheme 2026. Interested candidates can now apply until August 15, 2026. The application process began on June 1, 2026. This is an excellent opportunity for scientists and researchers of Indian origin. Under this central government scheme, selected candidates can receive a research grant of up to ₹5 crore in addition to a fellowship.

This scheme has been launched with the aim of strengthening India's research and innovation ecosystem. It offers experienced researchers, scientists, technical experts, and professionals of Indian origin—currently working in prestigious global universities, research labs, and industries—the opportunity to conduct high-impact research at India's premier government higher education institutions and national research laboratories.

**Which areas will the research cover?**
Under the PMRC scheme, priority will be given to research proposals linked to areas of national importance. These include:

Advanced materials, rare earths, and critical minerals
Energy, sustainable development, and climate change
Agriculture and food technology
Semiconductors
Advanced computing (AI, quantum, and supercomputing)
Healthcare and medical technology
Space and defense
Next-generation communication technology
Blue economy
Cybersecurity
Manufacturing and Industry 4.0
Biotechnology
Nuclear energy
Other research projects linked to national missions

**Who can apply?**
Researchers of Indian origin are eligible to apply for this scheme. This includes:

Indian citizens
Overseas Citizens of India (OCI)
Persons of Indian Origin (PIO)

Applicants must currently be employed at a prestigious foreign university, research lab, or industry. However, researchers of Indian origin residing in India who meet the scheme's other eligibility criteria may also apply.

**Three categories based on experience**
Candidates will be placed into three categories based on the experience gained abroad after completing their PhD. Young Research Fellow (YRF): Up to 5 years of post-PhD experience
Senior Fellow (SF): 5 to 10 years of experience
Research Chair (RC): 10 years or more of experience

Applicants must also possess a record of outstanding achievements in the form of research publications, patents, awards, and citations.

What financial assistance will be provided?

Selected researchers will receive financial assistance for their research work in addition to the fellowship.

Assistance    Young Research Fellow    Senior Fellow    Research Chair
Annual Fellowship    ₹0.15 to ₹0.20 crore    ₹0.20 to ₹0.40 crore    ₹0.40 to ₹0.60 crore
Lump-sum Research Grant    ₹1.00 to ₹1.50 crore    ₹1.50 to ₹2.50 crore    ₹3.00 to ₹5.00 crore
Annual Housing & Medical Assistance    ₹0.05 crore    ₹0.09 crore    ₹0.15 crore
Lump-sum Relocation Assistance    ₹0.30 crore    ₹0.40 crore    ₹0.50 crore
Annual Institutional Overhead    ₹0.20 crore    ₹0.30 crore    ₹1.00 crore

Which institutions offer this opportunity?
Selected researchers will be appointed at the country's premier government higher education institutions and national research laboratories. These include:

Top 100 institutions in the NIRF 'Overall' or 'Engineering' categories
Top 50 institutions in the NIRF 'Research' category
National laboratories under CSIR, DBT, DST, and ICMR

Responsibilities of selected researchers
Selected fellows will be required to fulfill several important responsibilities while maintaining a regular presence at their respective institutions. These include:

Conducting original research and collaborating with the institute
Contributing to curriculum development and teaching
Mentoring PhD and postgraduate students
Fostering international research collaborations and industry partnerships
Working on translating research into patents and commercial products
Submitting periodic progress reports

What documents are required for the application?
Candidates must apply through the official PMRC portal. The following documents must be submitted along with the application:

A detailed CV (curriculum vitae) containing information on all research publications, patents, and awards
Documents related to citizenship, visa, or residency
Proof of research achievements in the relevant subject area
Details of the preferred host institute and the reason for choosing it

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