VAIBHAV Fellowship Scheme : Unveiled The First Group
The Department of Science and Technology (DST) recently unveiled the first cohort of fellows under the Vaishvik Bhartiya Vaigyanik (VAIBHAV) scheme, a strategic initiative aimed at fostering short-term collaborations with Indian-origin scientists based abroad.
- Vaibhav scheme finds similarities with the Visiting Advanced Joint Research Faculty (Vajra) scheme initiated in 2018.
- The Government has launched VAIBHAV fellowships programme in 2023 to connect the Indian STEMM (Science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and medicine) diaspora with Indian academic and R&D institutions for collaborative research work leading to sharing of knowledge, wisdom, and best practices in the frontier areas of science & technology.
- The VAIBHAV Fellow would identify an Indian Institution for collaboration and may spend up to two months there in a year for a maximum of 3 years.
- The VAIBHAV fellows are expected to collaborate with their Indian counterparts and help initiate research activities in the host institution in the cutting-edge areas of Science and Technology.
- Fellowship would include fellowship grant (INR 4,00,000 per month), international and domestic travel, accommodation and contingencies.
- Host institutions receive research grants to support the collaboration.
- Significance of Vaibhav Scheme:
- Strengthens global collaboration in scientific research.
- Fosters knowledge exchange and expertise infusion in Indian academic and research institutions.
- The VAIBHAV fellowships programme to be implemented by the DST, Ministry of Science and Technology, would be awarded to outstanding scientist/technologists of Indian origin who are engaged in research activities in their respective countries.
