Prime Minister Early Career Research Grant

The upper age limit for PM ECRG is 42 years, with a relaxation of three years for SC/ST/OBC/ Physically challenged and women candidates.

PM ECRG is a one-time grant and carries a maximum research grant of Rs. 60 Lakhs (excluding overheads) for a period of three years. The research grant covers equipment, research personnel, consumables, travel and contingency apart from overheads.

PM ECRG project period is of 3 years. There is no provision for extension of the project duration.

The Call for applications will be notified through the website www.anrfonline.in and www.anrf.gov.in . The application form along with a proper research proposal highlighting the research work to be undertaken should be submitted online through the website www.anrfonline.in during the call opening period.

All applications should be submitted through the ANRF online portal www.anrfonline.in

Co-PI or Mentors are not allowed in this scheme. However, foreign nationals are mandated to have an Indian Co-PI.

No. The applicant must hold a regular academic/research position in a recognized academic institution/ or national laboratories or any other recognized R&D institutions. Only after joining a research or academic institution, one can apply for the grants under this scheme.

In general, a PI is allowed to operate only one ANRF project at a time. Exceptions are allowed for some specific calls under certain topics/programs/schemes. In all other cases, PI can submit another proposal under regular schemes of ANRF six months prior to the date of completion of the ongoing PM ECRG project.

The PIs should upload annual Progress Report and financial statements at the end of each financial year. The release of the next instalment of the grant will be considered only after submission of Utilization Certificate (separately for Recurring & Non-recurring) and Statement of Expenditure, financial year wise.

Change of host institute will be considered only (i) from a private/public/government institution to any other public/government institution or (ii) General administrative transfers in government or public funded institutions. Change of institute will not be considered for any other cases. Change of host institution can be undertaken only after obtaining due approval from ANRF.Transfer of the project along with balance grant and the assets to the new institute is allowed, provided the administrative authority of both institutes agree in writing. NOC from the previous host institute and Endorsement Form from the new host Institute must be sent to ANRF through the online portal.

For termination of the project, PI need to inform the ANRF through the host institution 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 must also arrange for the submission of relevant documents.

The PIs must seek the consent of ANRF if he/she intends to be away from the implementing institute (except for field work related to the project) continuously for a period of more than eight weeks.

The following documents should be sent to the ANRF after the duration of the project is completed: 1. Final Consolidated Statement of Expenditure (in duplicate) , giving expenditure financial year wise (FY) from date of start till date of completion. 2. Utilization Certificates (FY wise) for all FYs (in duplicate) matching with Statement of Expenditure figures in that FY. 3. Project Completion Report (PCR) with a list of publications, and patents filed/granted. 4. DD/ cheque for the unspent grant, drawn in favor of 'Science & Engineering Research Fund'. 5. The Principal Investigator is responsible for the timely submission of progress reports, utilization certificates, project closure report (PCR), refund of unspent balance amount etc. at the end or early closure of the project.

Yes. INSPIRE Faculty, Ramanujan and Ramalingaswamy Fellows are eligible to apply under PM ECRG subject to fulfilling all other eligibility criteria.

Yes. Applicants who have availed NPDF, SIRE are eligible to apply under PM ECRG subject to fulfilling all other eligibility criteria.

Applicants having ongoing TARE project can submit proposal under PM ECRG six months prior to the completion of ongoing project, subject to fulfilling all other eligibility criteria.

Budget upto Rs.1 lakh per year each under 'Travel' and 'Contingency' heads will be provided. Higher amount under 'Travel' head based on the recommendation of Expert Committee will be provided where the research work involves field work.

The funds sanctioned under the Recurring-I head are flexible, meaning the PI can use money allocated for consumables, manpower, travel, contingency, publications, or patent filing. However, there are some conditions to follow (See terms and conditions of the scheme, under travel and contingency).

Yes. The expenditure under the travel head is limited to Rs. 3 Lakh for a threeyear project, and proportionately lower for projects of shorter duration, except (where the project entails field work etc.) in cases where a higher amount for travel is explicitly sanctioned in the project. International travel is permitted within this limit.

Yes, the expenditure under the contingency head is also limited to Rs. 3 Lakh for a three-year project, or proportionately lower for shorter projects.

Yes. Contingency funds can be used for registration charges for international conferences.

Yes, the PI can engage research personnel as per ANRF norms, as informed through OMs - ANRF/OM/N/01/2024 and SB/S9/Z-06/2019. Additionally, the total funds under the recurring budget should not be exceeded in any case.

Yes, the Principal Investigator (PI) has the flexibility to recruit research personnel of any designation, or multiple personnel, as needed during the course of the project. However, the PI / host institution must ensure that (a) guidelines as per ANRF's OMs viz., ANRF/OM/N/01/2024 and SB/S9/Z-06/2019 are followed, (b) total funds sanctioned under the recurring head are not exceeded in any case and (c) Any future revision of emoluments by the ANRF will apply only to the originally approved or sanctioned research personnel for the revised fellowships.

No. The Principal Investigator (PI) must generally complete the documentation process within one month from the date the approval letter is issued. Any delay or lack of correspondence beyond one month from the PI, shall result in the withdrawal of the proposal approval.

No, interoperability or reappropriation between the non-recurring and recurring budgets is not permitted under any circumstances.

The change of approved or sanctioned equipment is generally not permitted and may only be considered on a case-by-case basis. The PI must obtain prior approval from ANRF to change the approved or sanctioned equipment.

The PI must submit a request through the ANRF online portal to obtain prior approval for publication-related expenditure.