ANRF Launches PM Professorships to Boost Research in State Universities

Swift Summary

• The Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) has launched the Prime Minister Professorships to utilize the expertise of retired scientists.
• selected Professors will receive:

– An annual fellowship of ₹30 lakh.- ₹24 lakh as a research grant for consumables, travel, contingencies, equipment, etc.
– ₹1 lakh per annum as overhead expenses.

• Unlike earlier fellowships under the SERB scheme:

– Open to overseas scientists (NRIs, Persons of Indian Origin, and Overseas Citizens of India).
– Includes professionals from industry and experienced “Professors of practice” with strong records in research and innovation.

• Recipients must work at State universities designated as “spoke” institutions under Category A of ANRF’s Promoting Advanced and Inclusive Research (PAIR) program.
• PAIR pairs institutions with emerging research capacity (“spokes”) with top-ranked mentorship hubs like Central Universities or NITs.
• eligible applicants are required to relocate if necessary and mentor faculty at host universities.

Indian Opinion Analysis

The Prime Minister Professorships introduced by ANRF represent a progressive initiative to strengthen India’s scientific ecosystem by bridging gaps between established researchers and nascent state-level universities categorized under the PAIR program’s “spokes.” This innovative strategy aligns with national goals to decentralize expertise while expanding mentoring opportunities beyond premier institutions like IITs or NITs.

By extending eligibility to overseas scientists and industry professionals alongside retired academics, the program embraces diversity in perspectives-an essential component for transformative research ecosystems. With notable funding increases compared to previous SERB fellowships, it underscores India’s intent toward fostering globally competitive knowledge frameworks at grassroots levels.

The mobility requirement for recipients ensures direct engagement in capacity-building activities within underserved regions that could substantially uplift underdeveloped academic environments over time while cultivating indigenous talent pools essential for lasting long-term development.

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