Visiting Advanced Joint Research (VAJRA) Faculty Scheme

VAJRA Faculty Scheme is instituted to bring a strong international connect to the R&D ecosystem of India. The scheme offers adjunct / visiting faculty positions to overseas scientist / faculty / R&D professional including Non-resident Indians (NRI) and Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) to undertake high quality collaborative research in public-funded academic and research institutions of India. VAJRA Faculty will engage in collaborative research in cutting edge areas of science and technology with one or more Indian Collaborators.VAJRA Faculty may also be involved in technology development, start-ups, etc.

Eligibility

  • The scheme is open to overseas scientist / faculty / R&D professional including NRI and OCI.
  • The overseas scientist/faculty should be an active researcher working in a leading academic / research / industrial organization with proven track record of research and development.
  • Indian Collaborator(s) should be a regular faculty/researcher in public-funded academic/research institutions.

Nature & Duration of Support

  • The residency period of VAJRA Faculty in India would be for a minimum of 1 month and a maximum of 3 months.
  • VAJRA Faculty will be provided US$ 15000 in the first month of engagement and US$ 10000 p.m. in subsequent two months. While no separate support is provided for travel, accommodation, medical / personal insurance etc. the host institute may consider providing additional support.

Mode of Selection and Application

  • Application for VAJRA Faculty Scheme can be submitted throughout the year.
  • The Indian collaborator should identify appropriate overseas faculty/ researcher andjointly frame a research plan.
  • The Lead Indian collaborator should submit the application online at www.serbonline.in.
  • Endorsement certificate from Indian Institution and approval letter from overseas faculty institution for participation as VAJRA Faculty, should be uploaded during the time of submission.
  • On submission of the online application, a link to view the submitted application would be sent to the overseas faculty. On his acceptance, the application would be deemed formally submitted for further consideration.
  • The Committee for evaluating the applicationswill meet twice a year and make its recommendations. SERB will announce the results subsequently.

How to Apply Online

  • The Lead Indian Collaborator should register in SERB Online Portal.
  • If there are Other Indian Collaborator(s) as part of the proposed work, then it is to be ensured that all the other Indian Collaborator(s) are registered in SERB online portal and have filled all mandatory fields in Profile Details section under User Profile.
  • Under "Form Submission" choose Scheme: VAJRA for opening the online submission form.
  • Following documents need to be uploaded in PDF format:
    • 1   CV of VAJRA Faculty (including academic qualifications, research experience, awards/honors and maximum of ten relevant research publications. Document size should not be more than 10 MB)
    2   Technical details of the proposed work Download Template
    3   Certificate from Lead Indian Collaborator Download Template
    4   Endorsement Letter from Indian Collaborator Institution Download Template
    5   Letter from Institution of VAJRA Faculty