Job Description

Prime Minister’s Early Career Research Grant: ANRF Offers Research Support of Up to ₹60 Lakh for Early Career Researchers

The Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) has introduced the Prime Minister’s Early Career Research Grant (PM ECRG) to support early career researchers establishing independent research programmes at new institutions. The scheme provides research funding of up to ₹60 lakh, plus overheads, for three years.

Building a strong research career requires more than scientific ideas. Early career researchers also need access to funding, infrastructure, research personnel and the flexibility to pursue promising directions. Recognising these needs, the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) has introduced the Prime Minister’s Early Career Research Grant (PM ECRG) to strengthen India’s research and innovation ecosystem.

The programme aims to help researchers initiate their research careers in new institutions by providing financial support and greater operational flexibility. It is designed to encourage high-quality research, nurture new scientific ideas and empower emerging researchers to explore new frontiers in science and technology.

What does the grant offer?

Under PM ECRG, eligible researchers can receive:

• Research grant: Up to ₹60 lakh, plus overheads.
• Duration: Three years.
• Number of awards: Up to 700 grants per year across all subject areas.

The scheme also introduces measures intended to make research funding more flexible and reduce administrative constraints.

These include flexibility in utilising resources under the recurring budget head, flexibility in recruiting research personnel, enhanced travel and contingency provisions, and support for open-access publication and patent filing expenses.

International travel for project-related activities is also permitted within the specified travel allocation.

Who is eligible to apply?

The grant is intended for researchers who are beginning their independent academic or research careers at a new institution. The eligibility requirements include:

• Nationality: Indian citizens. Eligible PIO/OCI applicants working as regular employees in publicly funded and recognised R&D institutions in India may apply as Principal Investigators in collaboration with an Indian Co-PI, subject to ANRF guidelines.
• Qualification: PhD in Science or Engineering, or MD, MS, MDS or MVSc degree.
• Position: A regular academic or research position at a recognised academic institution, national laboratory or other recognised R&D institution.
• Age limit: Up to 42 years, with a three-year relaxation for SC/ST/OBC candidates, persons with disabilities and women.
• Institutional experience: Normally, applicants must apply within two years of joining their institution.

Research Associates, postdoctoral fellows, ad-hoc or guest faculty, visiting scientists, consultants, project fellows and faculty members on contracts renewed annually are not eligible.

Applicants who have previously received specified grants under YSS, ECR, SRG, CRG (formerly EMR), EMEQ or other project grants from the erstwhile SERB or ANRF are also ineligible. Co-PIs are generally not permitted, except for eligible PIO/OCI applications.

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Current application cycle: Important dates

The ANRF online portal lists the current call as open from November 2, 2026, to December 2, 2026, at 5:00 PM.

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There is also a one-time relaxation for the current application cycle: applicants who joined their institutions on or after February 1, 2023, may apply in place of the usual two-year joining requirement. Applicants should check the current call’s detailed guidelines to confirm their eligibility.

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How to apply

Applications must be submitted online through the ANRF portal. Researchers already registered on the SERB Online portal can use their existing login credentials.

The application process involves:

1. Register or log in at the ANRF online portal.
2. Complete the User Profile section, including biodata, photograph and institutional details.
3. Enter the proposal details, including project title, summary, keywords, objectives, expected outcomes and proposed budget.
4. Upload the technical document as a single PDF file of no more than 10 MB.
5. Upload the required supporting certificates and institutional documents.

Documents required

Applicants should keep the following documents ready in PDF format:

• Principal Investigator’s biodata.
• Certificate from the Principal Investigator.
• Endorsement letter from the Head of Institution.
• Age proof (Class X marksheet or birth certificate).
• Category certificate, wherever applicable for age relaxation.
• Plagiarism undertaking.

The official portal provides templates for the required documents and the technical proposal.

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Budget flexibility and important conditions

The PM ECRG provides flexibility in managing recurring project expenses, including consumables, research personnel, travel, contingency and other approved costs.

Some important financial provisions include:

• Travel expenditure is generally limited to ₹3 lakh over three years, including international project-related travel.
• Contingency expenditure is limited to ₹3 lakh over three years.
• Open-access publication expenses in top journals and patent filing charges are permitted, subject to applicable ANRF approval and guidelines.
• Research personnel must be engaged according to ANRF norms.
• Funds cannot be reappropriated between recurring and non-recurring budget heads.

The grant is a one-time career grant, and project tenure cannot be extended. Principal Investigators must submit annual progress reports and financial utilisation documents.

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Supporting India’s next generation of researchers

The Prime Minister’s Early Career Research Grant represents an important opportunity for early career researchers to establish independent research programmes and pursue ambitious scientific questions. By combining substantial financial support with operational flexibility, ANRF aims to create a more enabling environment for researchers to develop new ideas, generate knowledge and contribute to India’s scientific and technological progress.

For eligible researchers who have recently joined recognised academic or research institutions, this programme offers an opportunity to build their research teams, strengthen institutional capabilities and establish a foundation for long-term research excellence.

Grant details at a glance

Particular	Details
Funding agency	Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF)
Grant amount	Up to ₹60 lakh plus overheads
Project duration	3 years
Number of awards	Up to 700 per year
Application opening	November 2, 2026
Application deadline	December 2, 2026, 5:00 PM
Application mode	Online
Selection	Expert Committee recommendations

Applications open

Apply now: Prime Minister’s Early Career Research Grant – ANRF

Read the complete eligibility criteria, guidelines and terms and conditions: Official ANRF programme page

BioPatrika encourages eligible researchers to review the official guidelines carefully before submitting their proposals. The current call’s specific eligibility relaxations and application deadline should be checked on the ANRF portal.