About Prime Minister Professorships:
- It is a prestigious initiative aimed at fostering world-class research and innovation within emerging institutions.
- It seeks to leverage the expertise of eminent scientists, senior faculty, and accomplished industry professionals to provide mentorship and support to faculty and students in less-endowed state universities, thereby strengthening their research and development culture.
- Objective: To utilize the extensive knowledge and experience of active, eminent, and superannuated/retired scientists and professionals.
- Eligibility Criteria for Prime Minister Professorship:
- Superannuated faculty or scientists from reputed Indian institutions, research laboratories or from private institutions are eligible to apply.
- Overseas scientists—including Non-Resident Indians (NRIs), Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs), and Overseas Citizens of India (OCIs)—are also encouraged to apply under this scheme.
- In addition, professionals from industry/ experienced Professor of Practice, with a distinguished record of research and innovation may also apply.
- Applicants with strong research credentials, must be actively involved in research and innovation activities, and demonstrate a strong commitment to mentor faculty at the eligible state universities where research and innovation is still at a nascent stage.
- Eligible host institutions are the state universities which have been qualified as spoke institutions in Category A of recently awarded PAIR program of ANRF (see category list here) Applicants must be willing to relocate to the proposed host institution on full time basis and should have a proper plan to contribute significantly to the development of its research capabilities and innovation culture.
- Duration: The tenure of the PM Professorship will be up to 5 years, based on performance evaluated by the expert committee constituted for the purpose.
- Age limit: Superannuated on the date of application (no upper age limit)
- Funding Support: A PM Professor will receive a fellowship of Rs. 30 lakh plus Rs. 24 lakh as research grant (consumables, domestic travel, contingencies, equipment etc.) per annum. Also, an overhead of a fixed amount of Rs.1 lakh per year to be provided under the program.
