The Department of Health Research has launched the HRD Short-Term Fellowship Abroad (2025–26) which provides post-graduate training in the field of global health research. The fellowship programme provides additional training to faculty and mid-career scientists whose research can benefit from clinical trials, genomics, and biotechnology. The fellowship provides fellowships from 15 days to 3 months where the fellow is placed at an esteemed international research institution. In addition to international collaborations and multidisciplinary exposure, the HRD Fellowship builds capacity in novel biomedical research.
Eligibility
The HRD Short-Term Fellowship Abroad 2025 is aimed at mid-career health researchers and faculty members wanting to gain international experience. Applicants must be employed at an eligible Indian academic or research institution. This fellowship is offered to develop fellowship capacity in advanced biomedical and health research through short-term training. The eligibility criteria require that candidates have the requisite academic and professional preparation.
Participants must meet the following eligibility criteria:
- Be citizens of India employed by Indian academic or research institutions.
- Hold MD, MS, PhD or equivalent levels of education (e.g. MBBS + PhD).
- Have at least 10 years prior experience for fellowships of 1–3 months and, at a minimum, 15 years of prior experience for fellowships of 15-days.
- Be under the age of 55 (57 for 15-day fellowships).
- Did not receive any government supported fellowships of longer than one month in the past.
Benefits
The HRD Short-Term Fellowship Abroad 2025 provides substantial financial assistance for Indian researchers to benefit from world-leading training. The scheme subsidises key overseas travel, accommodation, and on-going participation in a research program. It provides as much support as possible for fellows to have very little financial pressure in order to be open to the biggest global learning opportunities.
Fellows will receive:
- A monthly stipend of US $3,000 for the period of the training abroad.
- Return economy class air fare to and from the host country, according to government regulations.
- A contingency grant of ₹30,000 for visa, insurance and local transport, and a further ₹20,000 for meetings related to the review.
- Support for a conference of up to US $600, for 'to travel to a relevant scientific event' during the fellowship.
- Funding will be disbursed through the host Indian institute, that will ensure its appropriate use and re-imbursements.
How to Apply
The application process for the HRD Short-Term Fellowship Abroad 2025 is entirely online and is mediated through the Department of Health Research’s e‑PMS portal. It is essential for applicants to submit a structured proposal that articulates their research purpose, training plan and the relevant institutional endorsements. Given that clarity of purpose and accuracy of documentation is imperative for a successful application, it is prudent to utilise the e-PMS properly to allow the applicant to track the status of the submission in ‘real-time’. Successful application is dependent on timely submission and means of institutional coordination.
To apply:
- Register on the DHR e‑PMS portal, and complete verification.
- Select ‘Short-Term Fellowship Abroad’, and complete personal, academic, and professional details.
- Upload the requested details, and all requested documents; qualification certificates, training objectives, detailed work plan.
- Obtain an endorsement from the Head of the Institute, and note the support of the host mentor abroad.
- Validate all entries and submit the completed application electronically.
- Track your application status on the portal ranging from shortlisting the applications, to approvals and fund release.
Documents Required
Applicants must submit a complete set of documents to support their eligibility and training objectives. These documents help validate academic qualifications, institutional affiliations, and proposed research plans. Proper formatting and official endorsements are essential for the application to be considered. All documents should be uploaded to the e‑PMS portal in the prescribed formats.
Required documents include:
- Copies of academic and professional qualification certificates (MD, MS, PhD, etc.).
- Valid proof of identity and age, such as Aadhaar card or passport.
- Certificate from the Head of Institute and consent letter from the host mentor abroad.
- A detailed training proposal and acceptance letter from the foreign institution.
- Filled-in claim forms, contingency grant utilization formats, and review meeting documentation.
Selection Criteria
The selection process for the HRD Short-Term Fellowship Abroad 2025 will prioritize research excellence, the relevance of the research proposal, and institutional support during the application process. Applications will be assessed by an expert committee, based on the applicant's objective eligibility and the quality of their proposal. The strongest institutional support programs and alignment with national health priorities will be prioritized as candidates must be deserving and well-prepared in order to receive the fellowship.
Selection is based on:
- Initially, applicant screening by the Department of Health Research based on eligibility
- Proposal and suitability of the host mentor/institution to undertake the research project
- Darwin's second law of thermodynamics- upload research proposals that have alignment with national or public health priorities.
- (e.g., Federal) endorsement from the applicant's home institute as well as the foreign mentor must be uploaded with the application
- A global perspective and consideration must be taken into account when evaluating the applicant's entire history, experience, and institutional level of readiness to undertake the proposed academic inquiry
