Applications Invited for ANRF National Post Doctoral Fellowship Programme 2026, The ANRF–National Post Doctoral Fellowship (N-PDF) is designed to nurture talented and motivated early-career researchers by supporting high-quality research in frontier areas of science and engineering. Under the guidance of an experienced mentor, selected fellows will gain advanced research training and exposure, helping them build a strong foundation to evolve into independent and impactful researchers.

If you’re interested in this prestigious fellowship program, we encourage you to read the article carefully and follow the application guidelines closely. Make sure to review all eligibility criteria and submit your application within the specified timeline.

Last Date of Application: 17^th February 2026

Eligibility for Applications Invited for ANRF National Post Doctoral Fellowship Programme 2026

• The applicant should be an Indian citizen.
• The applicant must have obtained Ph.D./M.D/M.S degree from a recognized University. Those who have submitted their PhD/M.D/M.S thesis and are awaiting the award of the degree are also eligible to apply. However, such candidates, if selected, will be offered a lower fellowship amount till they qualify for the eligible degree.
• Must have published at least two papers by the time of submission of the application.
• The upper age limit for the fellowship is 35 years at the time of the submission of application; age will be calculated by taking the date of closure of the respective call. Age relaxation of 5 (five) years will be given to candidates belonging to SC/ST/OBC/Physically Challenged & Women candidates.
• In addition to meeting the age criteria, applicants will be allowed to apply for NPDF only within five years from the date of their Ph.D. viva-voce.
• NPDF can be availed of only once by a candidate in his/her career.
• Mentor must hold a regular academic/research position in a recognised institution in India. Should hold Ph.D. degree in Science or Engineering.
• The fellows will not be allowed to work with the Ph.D. guide/co-guide. It is also not availed at the same Department / institution where the candidates have earned their PhD/M.S/M.D degree.
• A mentor shall not supervise more than two ANRF-NPDF fellows at any given time. Mentors who already have two ongoing NPDFs will not be eligible to serve as mentors for new applications.
• A mentor may submit a maximum of two applications in a single call.
• Candidates who applied for any regular grants like PMECRG, ARG, IRG, etc. in the past are not eligible to apply for NPDF.
• Nature & Duration of Support

Nature & Duration of Support for Applications Invited for ANRF National Post Doctoral Fellowship Programme 2026

• The fellowship is tenable only within India and may be undertaken at recognised academic institutions, national laboratories, or approved R&D organisations. The host institution is expected to extend the required administrative and infrastructural support.
• Selected candidates must join the host institution within three months from the date of declaration of results.
• Change of host institution or mentor will not be permitted after the results are announced.
• This fellowship is a temporary research assignment with a total tenure of two years.
• The research grant may be utilised for minor equipment, consumables, contingencies, and domestic travel. There is no provision for hiring research personnel under this scheme; fellows are expected to independently carry out the proposed research throughout the fellowship period.
• Fellows cannot avail any other fellowship or financial support from government or non-government sources during the tenure of the award.
• Prior approval from ANRF is mandatory if a fellow intends to remain away from the host institution for more than eight consecutive weeks, except in cases of project-related fieldwork.

Selection & Mode Of Application for Applications Invited for ANRF National Post Doctoral Fellowship Programme 2026

The call for applications for ANRF-N PDF will be notified through the website www.anrfonline.in and www.serb.gov.in

The application form, along with a research proposal highlighting the objectives of the research work to be undertaken, should be submitted online through the website www.anrfonline.in

The applicant must identify a suitable Mentor under whom the proposed research would be carried out.

The selection will be based on the recommendations of an Expert Committee that will be constituted by the Board. If required, the applicants may be called for a personal interview.

How to apply online for Applications Invited for ANRF National Post Doctoral Fellowship Programme 2026

For successful online submission of the application the following points may be noted:

Applicants should first register into the online website click here to register

After log-in, applicants are required to fill all the mandatory fields in Profile Detail section under User Profile. which includes Bio-data, Photo, Institute Address etc.

Please ensure that your proposed Mentor is registered into the system by following the same procedure. After log-in, Mentor is required to fill all the mandatory fields in Profile Detail section under User Profile. which includes Bio-data, Photo, Institute Address etc.

Details including Project Title (max 500 characters), Project summary (max 3000 characters), Keywords (max 6), Objectives of project (max 1500 characters), and Expected output and outcome of the proposal (max 1500 characters) should be provided online at the time of submission of the application.

Work Methodology and Research plan has to be uploaded in single PDF file not more than 3 pages (max 10 MB).

For details one may visit http://anrfonline.in/ANRF/npdf

Please ensure that your proposed Mentor is registered into the system by following the same procedure as PI. After log-in, Mentor is required to fill all the mandatory fields in Profile Detail section under User Profile. which includes Bio-data, Photo, Institute Address etc.

Documents required (in PDF) should be in prescribed format

Bio-data (under user profile section) Download Template

Age Proof Certificate

Qualification Certificate

Category Certificate (in case of Age Relaxation)

Undertaking Certificate by the applicant Download Template

Endorsement Certificate from the Mentor & Host Institute Download Template

Short CV of the mentor (see online portal for its format)

CV of Mentor Download Template

Plagiarism undertaking Download Template Documentary evidence indicating the Ph.D. viva-voce date (viva intimation letter, letter issued by Dean / Director (R&D), provisional degree indicating date of viva-voce etc.)

Termination of the Fellowship

If any fellow wishes to terminate the fellowship, he/she shall inform the ANRF through the mentor and host institute immediately. The implementing institute should not incur any expenditure from the date of termination of the project or the date of resignation of PI. The institute will also arrange for submission of documents mentioned above.

ANRF reserves the right to terminate the Fellowship at any stage if it is convinced that appropriate progress is not being made or the grant has not been utilized properly.

Leave

ANRF PDFs are entitled to leave as per rules of the host institution. Participation in scientific workshops held in India or abroad will be treated as on duty. Maternity leave as per the Govt. of India instructions issued from time to time would be available to female candidates in all categories.

Learn more about the Fellowship Program

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