India has opened applications for the Prime Minister Research Chair (PMRC) Scheme 2026, a flagship initiative aimed at attracting accomplished Indian-origin researchers, scientists, technologists and professionals from around the world into the country’s higher education and research sector.
Launched by the Department of Higher Education under the Ministry of Education, the scheme seeks to connect global Indian talent with India’s expanding research, development and innovation landscape through placements at premier government higher education institutions, national laboratories and research centres.
The program will engage at least 120 researchers over five years, from 2026/27 to 2030/31, across three categories: young research fellows, senior fellows and research chairs.
The PMRC scheme will focus on 13 priority sectors, including artificial intelligence, quantum computing, semiconductors, cybersecurity, healthcare, biotechnology, climate change, advanced materials, manufacturing, agriculture technologies, the blue economy and atomic energy.
Selected fellows will receive fellowship support, research grants, relocation assistance, access to laboratories and opportunities to collaborate with leading government institutions in India. Depending on category, fellowship support ranges from Rs 15 lakh to Rs 60 lakh annually (approximately £13,000-£52,000), alongside research grants of up to Rs 5 crore (around £435,000).
Eligible applicants include Indian nationals working abroad, Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cardholders and Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs) with significant achievements in research, innovation and technology.
The scheme follows earlier government efforts to attract overseas Indian researchers and was first discussed by the IIT Council in 2025 as part of broader plans to strengthen India’s research capacity and attract global Indian talent into strategically important sectors.
Earlier this year, a NITI Aayog report on the internationalisation of higher education noted that for every international student studying in India, around 25 Indians pursue higher education overseas.
Seven institutions have been designated as lead institutions under the programme: IIT Delhi, IIT Bombay, IIT Madras, IIT Kanpur, IIT Hyderabad, IIT (ISM) Dhanbad and the Indian Institute of Science Bengaluru.
According to the ministry, the initiative is intended to deepen international academic collaboration, boost research output and support India’s ambitions of becoming a globally competitive innovation hub. Applications from fellows and host institutions opened on June 1 and will remain open until July 15.
