National Post Doctoral Fellowship

Q1: Who can apply for NPDF? What are the eligibility criteria for availing the post-doctoral fellowship?

A1: The applicant should hold Ph.D. degree in Science or Engineering or M.D or M.S degree in any area of medicine. Those who have submitted their PhD/M. D/M. S thesis and are awaiting award of the degree are also eligible to apply. Applicants should have an outstanding track record as evident from the quality of the research outputs and publications. The selection will be based on the recommendations of an Expert Committee.

Q2: What is the age limit for availing NPDF?

A2: The upper age limit for the fellowship is 35 years at the time of the submission of application. Age relaxation of 5 (five) years will be given to candidates belonging to SC/ST/OBC/Physically Challenged & Women candidates.

Q3: What is the amount of fellowship?Is my fellowship taxable? Is the fellowship tenable outside India?

A3: The Fellowship amount for NPDF is Rs. 55,000/- per month. For those who have submitted their Ph.D. degree, Rs. 35,000/- per month will be offered till they are awarded the eligible degree. The fellowship is taxable under the Income Tax rules of India. The fellowship is tenable only in India and can be implemented in any of the recognized academic institutions, national laboratories and other recognized R & D institutions. The host institution should provide necessary administrative and infrastructural support.

Q4: What is the tenure of the NPDF? Can it be extended?

A4: The fellowship is purely a temporary assignment, and is tenable initially for a period of 2 years. In exceptional cases, depending on the progress of research, the fellowship can be extended for one more year. There is no provision to extend the tenure beyond three years in any case.

Q5: What is the upper age limit up to which the J C Bose fellowship can be availed?Can I avail the NPDF from the same institution from where I have obtained the Ph. D. degree? Can I avail other fellowship grants?

A5: The fellowship is generally not availed at the same institution where one hasobtained or worked for the PhD/M.S/M.D degree. Also, the fellowship cannot be availed with the doctoral thesis supervisor or co-supervisoras a mentor. The fellows are not eligible to receive fellowship/salaryfrom any other Government or Non-Governmental source during the tenure of the SERB National Post-Doctoral Fellowship.

Q6: What is the nature of support in NPDF scheme?

A6: National Post-Doctoral Fellow will be entitled to receive grants under the following budget heads.

• The fellows will be entitled to receive the grants as given below

1. Fellowship
   1. (Rs. 55,000/- per month (consolidated))
   2. (Rs. 35,000/ p.m for candidates who have submitted the thesis but degree not yet awarded)
2. Research Grant (Rs. 2,00,000/- per annum)
3. Overheads (Rs. 1,00,000/- per annum)

Q7: When should I apply for NPDF? Can I apply for the National Post-Doctoral Fellowship (N- PDF) projects throughout the year?

A7: The applicant must first identify the host institution and a suitable Mentor in the host institution under which the proposed research objectives will be pursued. The call for applications for SERB- NPDF will be notified through the website www.serbonline.in and www.serb.gov.in Usually one month window will be provided to submit the application along with other documents. All applications should be submitted through the SERB online portal www.serbonline.in.

Q8: Who is eligible to be a Mentor? Can my Ph.D. supervisor or co-supervisor act as a mentor?

A8: The Mentor should hold a regular academic or research position in the host institution. The fellowship cannot be availed with the doctoral thesis supervisor or co-supervisoras a mentor.

Q9: How should I apply for NPDF? What documents should I submit?

A9: All applications should be submitted through the SERB online portal www.serbonline.in. Usually one month window is provided to submit the application along with other documents. The following documents are mandatory.

• Research proposal (see www.serbonline.in for the correct format).
• Proof of Date of Birth (Class X certificate or Date of Birth Certificate).
• Proof of Caste (only for cases seeking age relaxation).
• Proof of Ph.D. Degree or proof of Ph.D. thesis submission certificate.
• Endorsement Certificate signed by Mentor and Head of the Host Institution (format can be downloaded from www.serbonline.in).
• Undertaking Certificate by the applicant (see online portal for its format).
• Reprints of your two best publications.
• CV of the Mentor (see online portal for its format).

The applicants are advised to follow detailed instructions provided in the SERB online portal www.serbonline.in.

Q10: When will I be informed of my selection?

A10: The selection process on an average takes at least two months from the last date of submission of the applications. All selected candidates shall receive an Email notification through the SERB online portal, who are then required to download the offer letter.

Q11: Is there any break up available for the NPDF research grant?

A11: Flexibility is provided to the Fellow and the Mentor for utilising the Research Grant as per the needs of the research work. Generally, the Research grant can be used for purchasing minor equipment, consumables and contingencies. The grant can also be utilised for travel in India for attending workshops/conferences and other research related activities. In this regard, the host institution?s norms shall apply for TA/DA.

Q12: Can I recruit a manpower under this scheme?

A12: There is no provision for providing manpower under this scheme. The Fellow is expected to undertake research himself/herself during the entire duration of the fellowship.

Q13: I have received my fellowship for the first year. What documents should I send to receive my scholarship for the second year?

A13: The Fellows should upload annual Progress Report and financial statementsat the end of each financial year. The release of the next instalment of the grant will be considered only after submission of (a) Proper Utilization Certificate and Statement of Expenditure, financial year wise and (b) Annual Progress Report through the SERB online portal.

Q14: I intend to change my Mentor/Host Institution? What procedure should I follow?

A14: Change of Mentor/Host Institution is generally discouraged and can be allowed only in exceptional cases. Change of Host Institution shall be undertaken only after obtaining due approval from SERB. The new host institute in any case should not be the institution from which the applicant has worked for his Ph.D. or obtained his Ph.D. degree. The transfer of the fellowship 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 &new Mentor must be sent to SERB through the online portal.

Q15: I wish to resign as NPDF? What documents must I send to SERB?

A15: If the one wishes to terminate the fellowship and leave the institute, he/she shall inform the SERB 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 fellow.

Q16: What are the rules for availing leave?

A16: There is complete flexibility in using the research grant of Rs. 15.00 lakh. Funds under this "Research Grant" head (Rs. 15.0 Lakh) can be utilized for hiring of manpower, consumables, national travel for self, students, other research staff, visiting scientists and international travel and per diem per year for self for research purposes, chemicals, equipment items, other unforeseen contingencies, repair of equipments, books and journals, etc. and any other research and academic activity, subject to the ceiling of sanctioned Research Grant budget head.The NPDF is entitled to leaves as per norms of the host institution. Participation in scientific workshops held in India or abroad will betreated as on duty. Maternityleave, as per the Govt. of India instructions issued from time to time, would be available to femalecandidates in all categories.

Q17: Is SERB terminate NPDF fellowship?

A17: There is complete flexibility in using the research grant of Rs. 15.00 lakh. Funds under this "Research Grant" head (Rs. 15.0 Lakh) can be utilized for hiring of manpower, consumables, national travel for self, students, other research staff, visiting scientists and international travel and per diem per year for self for research purposes, chemicals, equipment items, other unforeseen contingencies, repair of equipments, books and journals, etc. and any other research and academic activity, subject to the ceiling of sanctioned Research Grant budget head.The NPDF is entitled to leaves as per norms of the host institution. Participation in scientific workshops held in India or abroad will betreated as on duty. Maternityleave, as per the Govt. of India instructions issued from time to time, would be available to femalecandidates in all categories.SERB reserves the right to terminate the Fellowship at any stage if it is convinced that appropriate progress is not being made or the grant has not been utilized properly.

Q18: Can I be away from the implementing Institute when I am working as National Post-Doctoral Fellow?

A18: The fellows must seek the consent of SERB if he/she intends to be away from the implementing institute (except for field work related to the project) continuously for a period more than eight weeks.

Q19: What should be done for the unspent grant under National Post-Doctoral Fellowship (N- PDF) after the completion of the tenure of the fellowship?

A19: The following documents should to be sent to the SERB after the duration of the Fellowship is completed:

1. Final Consolidated Statement of Expenditure (in duplicate), giving expenditure financial year wise (FY) from date of start till date of completion;
2. Utilization Certificates (FY wise) for all FYs (in duplicate) matching with Statement of Expenditure figures in that FY;
3. Project Completion Report (PCR) with list of publications, patents filed.
4. DD/ cheque for the unspent grant, drawn in favor of 'Fund for Science & Engineering Research'
5. Mentor and PDF candidate are responsible for the timely submission of progress report, utilization certificate, project closure report (PCR), refund of unspent balance amountetc. at end or early closure of the project.