Ramanujan Fellowship 2021: Last Date, Eligibility Criteria, Benefits, Selection, Application Process

Srinivasa Ramanujan was an Indian mathematician who rose to prominence during the British colonial period. The Indian government's Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB) awarded the coveted Ramanujan fellowship to honour the great Shri. Ramanujan's accomplishments. As part of the fellowship award, highly regarded scientists receive highly rewarding grants to pursue postdoctoral research. 

The Ramanujan fellowship was created to bring back exceptional scientific brains left to research colleges overseas. Scientists and research enthusiasts who are currently working in the fields of science and technology abroad but want to return to the United States to serve the country are the leading candidates for this Fellowship. This article covers everything you need to know about the DST Ramanujan Fellowship 2021, including the deadline, eligibility, application process, selection procedure, results, and awards.

Nomination And Selection Methodology

The scientists can work at any S&T institution in India, including university departments, other academic institutions, and national laboratories, as long as the institution is ready to offer the administrative and R&D essential infrastructural support needed to facilitate research. This Fellowship is for candidates who want to improve their research talents by working in various fields and laboratories other than the one where they received their PhD degree.

Nominations from the candidate's PhD advisors and nominations from the same institute where they pursued their PhD shall be disregarded. Ramanujan Fellows will be chosen regularly by an authorized Search-cum-Selection Committee that has been mainly formed for the purpose. Nominations for the Ramanujan Fellowship are accepted all year.

Ramanujan Fellowship Eligibility Criteria 

• Indian citizens [scientists] who are currently residing outside of India are eligible to apply.
• Foreign nationals who want to pursue a profession in India can also apply.
• Candidates should have a PhD in one of the following fields: engineering, medicine, or pure sciences, or a master's degree in a high-level science subject.
• Prior job experience in the field of study is required.
• Candidates must possess an exceptional understanding of the topic of interest.
• They should have a strong track record of publication and presentation of papers in linked scientific fields.
• Candidates should ideally be affiliated with one of the country's science and development organizations.
• The partnership could be based on a contract/temporary position or a long-term position.
• This Fellowship is for candidates who want to improve their research talents by working in various fields and laboratories other than the one where they received their PhD degree.
• Nominations from the candidate's PhD guides and nominations from the same institute where they pursued their PhD will be disregarded.
• The age of the aspirant should not exceed 40 years.
• At the time of his nomination for the Fellowship, the candidate should be working overseas.

When and How May a Person Begin his Ramanujan Fellowship?

The individual and the host institute receive a letter from the Science & Engineering Research Board (SERB) informing them of the Ramanujan Fellowship grant. The candidate must then join the Fellowship within six months after receiving the approval letter and send an Acceptance Letter to the Host Institute, noting the preliminary month he wishes to begin the Fellowship. The institute will subsequently send his Acceptance Letter and the bank account information for the RTGS payment transfer to the Science and Engineering Research Board (in the prescribed format).

The SERB will process the case for administrative and financial clearances based on this letter. Then, for disbursing the award under the Ramanujan Fellowship, a Sanction Order will be given to the Host Institute (with a copy to the Ramanujan Fellow) and a copy to the SERB Drawing and Disbursing Officer. Once the Host Institute receives the grant money, the Ramanujan Fellow can begin their Fellowship.

Ramanujan Fellowship Selection Criteria

Candidates must be affiliated with any science and technology institute or organization in India to be considered for the Ramanujan Fellowship. This research center should be a site where the candidate can work on his PhD research under the guidance of a skilled mentor. On the contrary, when candidates begin the application procedure, they should have a nomination from another science and technology institute willing to fund and encourage the candidate to advance his study.

Candidates must seek nominations by engaging with relevant institution staff and obtaining a document confirming the same. The letter should be written directly from the institution's director or center where the candidate intends to conduct his new research. The SERB should get this letter and application. The SERB has an internal selection committee that examines all aspects of received applications before deciding on an applicant's selection.

Ramanujan Fellowship Benefits

• A Ramanujan Fellow is entitled to a monthly consolidated fellowship of Rs.1,35,000/- (including HRA component).
• A research grant of Rs.7.00 lakh will be provided each year as part of the Fellowship. And Rs.60,000/- in overhead charges to the host institute till the fellow is no longer employed in India.
• Suppose the selected fellow is offered a permanent, tenure-track, or contractual employment. In that case, they will be ineligible for the Fellowship, including the research grant and overhead, and will have to forfeit the entire Ramanujan fellowship.
• Fellows who began taking advantage of this Fellowship on or before December 31, 2018 (viz. a SERB sanction order issued on or before December 31, 2018) will be allowed to draw the research grant and overhead charges as indicated in (2) above upon obtaining a job (permanent, tenure track, or contractual position). Only the fellowship component, as noted by (1) above, will be discontinued.

Ramanujan Fellowship Rules and Regulations

While applying for the SERB Ramanujan fellowship, candidates should be aware of the following norms and regulations:

• According to Indian government regulations, the fellowship grant received as part of this Fellowship is taxable.
• This is a high-level fellowship that is available to scientists and engineers from all over the world.
• Instead of the application process for Fellowship, the candidate's preferred host institution should submit the candidate's nomination to SERB.
• The Ramanujan fellowship's research subject areas include all existing and emerging concerns and even the most remote areas of science.
• Fellows have the option of collaborating closely with an Indian science and technology group. This organization should not be the candidate's parent institute, where he received his PhD.
• This scholarship is only valid for five years.
• Candidates who obtain a fellowship offer from SERB must submit an acceptance letter within six months of getting notification from the authorities.

How to Apply for Ramanujan Fellowship?

Application Process:

For a successful online application submission, keep the following items in mind:

1. Nominees must register on the SERB online portal, www.serbonline.in. To register, go to www.serbonline.in.
2. After logging in, the nominee must fill out all of the essential fields in the Profile Details section of the User Profile, such as Photo, Institution, and Address.
3. Choose Scheme: Ramanujan Fellowship under Form Submission and fill out the Ramanujan Fellowship nomination form, which includes information such as Nominee Details, Qualification Details, and Nominator Details, among other things.
4. A single PDF file, not more than five pages, must contain the proposed study field and a brief explanation of the nominee's proposal.
5. Nominees should click "Send to Nominator" after filling out the details.
6. The nominator would be notified by email and given a link to the SERB website to examine the completed Ramanujan Fellowship Nomination Form.
7. The nominator has the option of submitting the nomination to SERB or resending the form to the nominee for any necessary changes.
8. Once submitted, both the nominee and the nominator will receive notification of their submission's success.

Documents Required:

Required documents (in PDF) should be in the following format:

• Letter of Nomination (On letterhead, duly signed and stamped)
• Nominee's CV
• Template for a Plagiarism Investigation

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