Bangalore: The Union Government has launched VAJRA (Visiting Advanced Joint Research) Faculty scheme, an initiative by the Department of Science and Technology to enable NRIs and overseas scientific community to participate and contribute to research and development in India. The Prime Minister Mr Narendra Modi launched the scheme during the 14th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Convention at Bengaluru on 8 January 2017.
The Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB), a statutory body of the Department will implement the Scheme. Under the scheme, VAJRA faculty will undertake research in S&T priority areas of nation wherein the capability and capacity are needed to be developed. The VAJRA faculty will engage in collaborative research in public funded institutions.
Public funded academic institutions and national laboratories are eligible to host the VAJRA Faculty. These institutions should appoint them as Adjunct / Visiting Faculty and involve them in co-guiding and mentoring of students and developing collaborative programs. The Faculty can also be allowed to participate in other academic activities as agreed to by the host institution and the faculty.
As per the guideline of the scheme, the residency period of the VAJRA Faculty in India would be for a minimum of 1 month and a maximum of 3 months a year. The VAJRA Faculty will be provided a lump-sum amount of US$ 15000 in the first month of residency in a year and US$ 10000 p.m. in the other two months to cover their travel and honorarium. While no separate support is provided for e.g. accommodation, medical / personal insurance etc. the host institute may consider providing additional support.
The scheme has also explained details how Indian institutes can collaborate with overseas faculty. The Indian collaborator and the overseas faculty will jointly frame a research plan and the application duly endorsed by the Head of the Institution will be submitted online by the Indian collaborator.
A selection committee of eminent scientists will evaluate the applications. The committee will meet twice a year in January and July and make recommendations. SERB will announce the results in the month of April and September.
The official portal of VAJRA is www.vajra-india.in .
