Prime Minister Early Career Research Grant

Description
The “Prime Minister Early Career Research Grant” is a program initiated by the Anusandhan National Research Foundation ANRF , under the Department of Science & Technology, Government of India. It aims to assist researchers to initiate their research career in a new institution with a flexible budget and progressive initiatives for ease of doing research. Objectives: - To empower and support the early career researchers in their pursuit of research excellence, providing them with an enabling environment to effectively conduct research with ease and flexibility. - To contribute in positioning the country as a global leader in science and technology as well as creating a vibrant research ecosystem. - To produce research of the highest quality, bringing in new skills, breakthrough ideas and the zest to explore new frontiers, thereby expanding the boundaries of knowledge.

Exclusions
• Research Associates, Post doctoral Fellows, Ad-hoc faculties, Guest faculties, Visiting Scientists, Consultants, Project Fellows and faculty members whose contract is renewed every year are not eligible.
• Co-PIs are not allowed except in the case of Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) or Person of Indian Origin (PIO).

Benefits
• Nature & duration of support:

Eligibility Criteria
1. The applicant should be an Indian citizen.
2. Overseas Citizens of India (OCI) or Persons of Indian Origin (PIO) working as regular employees in any publicly funded and recognized R&D laboratories/institutions in India are eligible to apply as Principal Investigator (PI), in collaboration with an Indian Co-PI, provided they meet the eligibility criteria specified by ANRF (ANRF Funding Guidelines for PIO/OCI).
3. The applicant should hold a Ph.D. degree in Science or Engineering or an MD/MS/MDS/MVSc degree.
4. The applicant should be in a regular academic/research position at a recognized academic institution, national laboratory, or any other recognized R&D institution.
5. The applicant is eligible to apply within two years of joining the institution.
6. The upper age limit is 42 years, with a relaxation of three years for SC/ST/OBC/Physically Challenged and women candidates.
7. The applicant should not have received funding under YSS, ECR, SRG, CRG (erstwhile EMR), EMEQ, or any other project grant from the erstwhile SERB or ANRF.
8. ***Other conditions***
9. - An applicant is eligible to apply only one proposal during a call.
10. - Only a one-time career grant will be provided.
11. - Extension of the project tenure is not permitted under this programme.
12. ***Termination and transfer of the project:***
13. If any Principal Investigator (PI) wishes to terminate the project, they shall inform ANRF immediately with proper justifications. The implementing institute should not incur any expenditure from the date of termination of the project or the date of resignation of the PI. The institute must also arrange for the submission of relevant documents.
14. ANRF reserves the right to terminate the project at any stage if it is convinced that (i) appropriate progress is not being made (ii) the grant has not been utilized properly (iii) furnishing of false information or suppression of factual information.
15. Projects sanctioned under this programme cannot be transferred to any other person/s.
16. Transfer of approved/sanctioned PM ECRG project to another institution will be considered only in the following cases: (i) From private/public/government institution to any other public/government institution (ii) General administrative transfers in government or public funded institutions. Change of institute will not be considered in any other cases.

Required Documents
• Biodata (under user profile section) Download Template
• Certificate from Principal Investigator Download Template
• Endorsement Letter from the Head of Institution Download Template
• Age Proof Certificate (Class X marksheet or Birth certificate)
• Category Certificate (in case of Age Relaxation)
• Plagiarism undertaking Download Template
• Any other documents if required

Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the age limit for availing PM ECRG?
A: 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.

Q: What is the nature of support under PM ECRG scheme?
A: 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.

Q: What is the duration of the PM ECRG project? Can it be extended?
A: PM ECRG project period is of 3 years. There is no provision for extension of the project duration.

Q: When should I apply for PM ECRG? Can I apply for the projects throughout the year?
A: 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.

Q: How should I apply for PM ECRG?
A: All applications should be submitted through the ANRF online portal www.anrfonline.in

Q: Can I have a Co-PI in PM ECRG project? Can I have a Mentor in PM ECRG?
A: Co-PI or Mentors are not allowed in this scheme. However, foreign nationals are mandated to have an Indian Co-PI.

Q: I am working abroad as post-doc, and I want to return to India. I intend to apply for PM ECRG. But I have not yet finalized my place of work. Am I eligible to apply under the scheme?
A: 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.

Q: I am implementing an PM ECRG project for the last one year. Am I eligible to apply for another project under any other scheme/award or fellowship programs of ANRF?
A: 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.

Q: What documents should I send for receiving the next instalments of the grant?
A: 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.

Q: I intend to change my Host Institution? What procedure should I follow?
A: 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.

Q: What is the procedure for surrendering PM ECRG project?
A: 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.

Q: Can I be away from the implementing Institute when I am implementing the PM ECRG project?
A: 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.

Q: What should be done for the unspent grant under PM ECRG project after the completion of the tenure of the project?
A: 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.

Q: I am an INSPIRE Faculty Fellow. Am I eligible to apply for PM ECRG?
A: Yes. INSPIRE Faculty, Ramanujan and Ramalingaswamy Fellows are eligible to apply under PM ECRG subject to fulfilling all other eligibility criteria.

Q: I was National Post Doctoral Fellow (NPDF). Am I eligible to apply for PM ECRG?
A: Yes. Applicants who have availed NPDF, SIRE are eligible to apply under PM ECRG subject to fulfilling all other eligibility criteria.

Q: I have an ongoing TARE project. Can I apply for PM ECRG?
A: 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.

Q: What is the budget limit under 'Travel' and 'Contingency' Heads in PM ECRG?
A: 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.

Q: Are the funds sanctioned under recurring head flexible?
A: 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).

Q: Are there any upper limit on travel expenditure for the project?
A: 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.

Q: Are there any limits on contingency expenditure for the project?
A: 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.

Q: Can I use the contingency funds for paying registration fees for international conferences?
A: Yes. Contingency funds can be used for registration charges for international conferences.

Q: Are there specific guidelines for engaging research personnel in the project?
A: 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.

Q: One JRF is approved in my project. Can I engage a SRF or an R.A or multiple research personnel in the project?
A: 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.

Q: Can I delay the acceptance of the project implementation?
A: 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.

Q: Can I reallocate or reappropriate funds between recurring and nonrecurring budgets?
A: No, interoperability or reappropriation between the non-recurring and recurring budgets is not permitted under any circumstances.

Q: Can the approved equipment list be changed during the project?
A: 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.

Q: How can I seek approval for publication-related expenditures?
A: The PI must submit a request through the ANRF online portal to obtain prior approval for publication-related expenditure.