The Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) is India's apex research funding body, established through the ANRF Act, 2023 and operationalised in September 2024. With a budget of ₹2,000 Crore per year and the Prime Minister as President of its Governing Board, ANRF has replaced the erstwhile Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB) and now manages all major individual research grants and fellowships in India. Every PhD scholar and postdoc researcher should be aware of these opportunities. Apply at anrfonline.in.
Why ANRF Grants Are a Career Game-Changer
Securing an ANRF grant is one of the most powerful moves an Indian researcher can make. Beyond the funding, it signals peer-validated excellence to institutions worldwide, accelerates your publication record, and provides the research autonomy that most academic jobs simply do not offer.
Early-career grants like the PM Early Career Research Grant allow new faculty to build their own labs and recruit students from the very first year of joining. Fellowships like the N-PDF and Ramanujan offer complete financial independence to pursue frontier research without institutional salary constraints.
For researchers returning from abroad, the Ramanujan Fellowship is financially competitive with mid-level international postdoc packages — plus the opportunity to build India's next generation of scientists. Learn more about ANRF's mission and structure on the DST website.
All 9 ANRF Programs — Detailed Profiles
1. National Post-Doctoral Fellowship (N-PDF)
Status: 2026 Call Closed | Period: 15 Jan – 17 Feb 2026 | Next call: Jan 2027
Funding: ₹80,000/month + ₹2L/year research grant + ₹1L overhead. Total annual support: ~₹14.6 Lakhs. Duration: 2 years strictly.
Eligibility:
PhD / MD / MS from recognised institution
Age ≤35 years (+5 years relaxation for SC/ST/OBC/Women/PH)
Apply within 5 years of PhD viva-voce
Must join a different institution from PhD institute
Key Rules:
Cannot work under same PhD guide
Mentor can hold maximum 2 NPDF fellows
Stipend ₹50K/month till PhD is formally awarded
No extension — strictly 2 years only
SAMVIK Tip: Choose your mentor carefully — they can take only 2 NPDF fellows at once. A strong research proposal with clear novelty is the biggest selection factor.
Scope: All Science & Engineering disciplines | Apply on anrfonline.in →
2. PM Early Career Research Grant (PMECRG)
Status: Opens Nov 02, 2026 | Period: 02 Nov – 02 Dec 2026
Funding: Up to ₹60 Lakhs + overheads. Duration: 3 years. Flexible budget, manpower & travel norms.
Eligibility:
PhD / MD / MS / MVSc from recognised institution
Regular academic or research position
Apply within 2 years of joining institution
Age ≤42 years (+3 years relaxation for SC/ST/OBC/Women/PH)
Special Features:
INSPIRE / Ramanujan Fellows eligible
Flexible manpower recruitment norms
Enhanced travel & contingency allowances
One of ANRF's first-ever programs (Oct 2024)
Critical: The 2-year window from joining is strict. If you recently joined as faculty, this is your highest priority grant to apply for.
Scope: Science, Engineering, Technology, Medicine, Social Sciences | Apply on anrfonline.in →
3. Ramanujan Fellowship
Status: OPEN NOW — Till Dec 31, 2026 | Nominations accepted throughout 2026, decisions announced twice a year
Funding: ₹1,35,000/month (consolidated, includes HRA) + ₹7L/year research grant + ₹60K/year overhead. Duration: 5 years.
Eligibility:
Indian citizen or Person of Indian Origin currently working abroad
Age below 40 years at time of nomination
PhD in Science/Engineering, Masters (Tech), or MD
Outstanding research track record
Key Rules:
Must NOT hold any Indian position at nomination time
Cannot join PhD institution as host
Fellowship ends on getting any Indian contract/salary
No extension — 5 years only
SAMVIK Tip: Finding the right host institution (IIT/IISc/IISER) is the most critical step. Diaspora researchers should identify suitable hosts and prepare a strong 5-page proposal.
Scope: All areas of Science — any Indian institution except PhD institute | Apply on anrfonline.in →
4. Advanced Research Grant — MATRICS
Status: Opens May 01, 2026 | Period: 01 May – 10 Jun 2026
Funding: ₹5 Lakhs/year + overheads. Up to ₹5L total for international travel. Duration: up to 5 years.
Covers Mathematical Sciences (pure & applied math), Theoretical Sciences (theoretical physics, computational science), and Quantitative Social Sciences (economics, sociology using mathematical/statistical methods). No Co-PI required — OCI/PIO holders may apply directly. Budget covers textbooks, minor equipment, consumables, and travel.
Scope: Mathematics, Theoretical Sciences, Quantitative Social Sciences | Apply on anrfonline.in →
5. J. C. Bose Grant (JBG)
Status: 2026 Call Closed | Period: 01 Jan – 10 Feb 2026
Funding: ₹25 Lakhs/year + ₹1L overhead. Duration: 5 years (extendable). Equipment up to 20%. Age 45–65 (avail till 68).
Individual-specific, nomination-only. Senior scientists with outstanding record of publications, patents, and awards. Nominated by Head of Institution or President of National Science Academy. Maximum 3 terms in a career. Cannot hold other Govt. personal fellowship simultaneously.
Scope: All Science, Engineering, Agriculture, Medicine, Interdisciplinary | View on anrfonline.in →
6. Advanced Research Grant (ARG) — Flagship
Status: Opens May 01, 2026 | Pre-proposals: 01 May – 10 Jun 2026 | Full proposals: 15 Sep – 15 Oct 2026
Funding: Up to ₹5 Crore total. Duration: up to 5 years. 3-stage evaluation process.
Replaces the erstwhile SERB Core Research Grant (CRG). Supports fundamental research (TRL 1–3) and applied research (TRL 1–6). Regular faculty/researchers with PhD eligible. Age limit 70 during project. Max 1 as PI + 1 as Co-PI per call. Max 4 individual ANRF projects at any time. Zero tolerance for plagiarism. Proposals exceeding ₹1 Crore face an additional Stage 3 panel review.
Important: ARG has a 3-stage process: Pre-proposal → Full Proposal → Panel Review. Start preparing 2–3 months before the May 2026 opening.
Scope: All Science, Engineering, Technology, Humanities (S&T interface) | Apply on anrfonline.in →
7. National Science Chair (NSC)
Status: Opens Jul 01, 2026 | Period: 01 Jul – 31 Jul 2026
Funding: Mode 1: ₹1.5L/month + ₹25L/year research. Mode 2 (Advisory): ₹1.5L/month + ₹5L/year. Duration: 3 years, extendable.
For eminent scientists post-superannuation. Nominated by Academy Presidents, Institute Directors, or Vice-Chancellors.
8. Inclusivity Research Grant (IRG)
Status: Opens Oct 01, 2026 | Period: 01 Oct – 03 Nov 2026
Funding: Project-based grant. Duration: up to 3 years. Dedicated to SC/ST researchers in India.
Must hold a regular (not ad-hoc) position at a recognised institution. Covers manpower, consumables, equipment, and travel.
How to Apply for ANRF Grants — 5 Key Steps
All ANRF applications are submitted exclusively on anrfonline.in. If you were registered on the old SERB portal, your credentials still work. Here is the universal process:
Register and complete your profile — Fill biodata (use ANRF template), photo, institutional address, qualifications, and publications list. Incomplete profiles block submission.
Select the correct scheme — Go to Menu → Proposal Submission → Form Submission. Wrong scheme selection leads to automatic rejection.
Write a plagiarism-free proposal — ANRF uses third-party plagiarism checks. All text must be original. Quote any borrowed content with proper citations.
Compile all documents — PhD certificate, CV, institutional endorsement (use ANRF format), Co-PI registrations if applicable, and ethical clearances. Missing documents = rejection.
Submit 2–3 days before the deadline — Portal closes strictly at the stated time. Server load spikes on the last day. Never wait till the last moment.
For fellowship-specific steps like finding host institutions (Ramanujan), calculating your 2-year joining window (PMECRG), or verifying your viva date (N-PDF), contact SAMVIK directly for guidance.
2026 Deadline & Funding Summary
| # | Grant / Fellowship | For | Funding | Opens | Closes | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | JC Bose Grant | Senior, 45–65 | ₹25L/yr · 5 yrs | 01 Jan 26 | 10 Feb 26 | Closed |
| 2 | N-PDF Fellowship | Post-PhD, ≤35 | ₹80K/mo · 2 yrs | 15 Jan 26 | 17 Feb 26 | Closed |
| 3 | Advanced Research Grant | All regular faculty | Up to ₹5 Cr | 01 May 26 | 10 Jun 26 | Upcoming |
| 4 | ARG – MATRICS | Math/Theory/QSS | ₹5L/yr · 5 yrs | 01 May 26 | 10 Jun 26 | Upcoming |
| 5 | National Science Chair | Eminent, retired | ₹1.5L/mo + ₹25L/yr | 01 Jul 26 | 31 Jul 26 | Later |
| 6 | ARG Full Proposals | Shortlisted ARG | Up to ₹5 Cr | 15 Sep 26 | 15 Oct 26 | Later |
| 7 | Inclusivity Grant | SC/ST researchers | Project-based | 01 Oct 26 | 03 Nov 26 | Later |
| 8 | PM Early Career Grant | Early career, ≤42 | Up to ₹60L · 3 yrs | 02 Nov 26 | 02 Dec 26 | Later |
| 9 | Ramanujan Fellowship | Scientists abroad, <40 | ₹1.35L/mo · 5 yrs | Open all year | 31 Dec 26 | OPEN |
Source: anrfonline.in and DST official publications. Verify all dates on the ANRF portal before applying.