Department of Health Research Invites Proposals for Pharma Research Fellowships Under HRD Scheme for North Eastern States

The Department of Health Research (Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India) has opened online research proposals for the 2026-27 period through its Human Resource Development (HRD) Sub-scheme. Aimed at medical and health research personnel from North Eastern States (Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim, and Tripura), the initiative seeks to build advanced research capacity in cutting-edge medical fields.

Applications are invited for two core programs: the Women Scientist Fellowship Programme and the NRI/PIO/OCI Research Support Programme.

1. Women Scientists Fellowship Programme

Designed to help women scientists overcome career breaks (frequently arising from motherhood or family responsibilities) and return to biomedical and health research.

Eligibility & Categories: Open to unemployed Indian citizens aged 30 to 45 years with a career break of 1 to 5 years.
- Category A: Holds an M.D., M.S., M.D.S., MBBS, BDS, M.VSc., M.Sc., M.Pharma, or M.Tech degree along with a Ph.D. in a health-related topic.
- Category B: Holds an MBBS, BDS, M.Sc., M.Pharma, M.Tech or equivalent and is currently enrolled in a Ph.D. program with at least 2 years of post-degree work experience.
Financial Support:
- Category A: Consolidated monthly stipend of Rs. 90,000/- for medical candidates or Rs. 67,000/- plus HRA for non-medical candidates for 3 years, backed by up to Rs. 10.00 lakhs per year in research grants.
- Category B: Stipend of Rs. 65,000/- per month for medical candidates or Rs. 48,000/- plus HRA for non-medical candidates for up to 5 years (or until Ph.D. completion), plus up to Rs. 10.00 lakhs per year in research grants.

2. NRI/PIO/OCI Research Support Programme

Created to encourage Non-Resident Indians (NRIs), Persons of Indian Origin (PIO), and Overseas Citizens of India (OCI) currently serving abroad to return to India and pursue high-tech medical and health research.

Eligibility: Applicants must be of Indian origin, hold a Ph.D., M.D., M.S., M.D.S., M.Tech, M.VSc., M.Sc., or M.Pharma degree, have at least 3 years of foreign research experience post-degree, be under 45 years of age, and collaborate with a regular faculty member at an Indian institute.
Financial Support: A consolidated stipend of Rs. 1.2 lakhs per month for 3 years (extendable by another 2 years without stipend), plus a research grant of up to Rs. 20 lakhs per year divided into recurring costs (65%) and equipment (35%).

Key Submission Details

Application Portal: Proposals must be submitted online via DHR’s e-PMS portal.
Deadline: The last date for receiving full-length research proposals is November 30, 2026, up to 5:00 PM.
Additional Grants: International Travel Grants are also open for application on a rolling basis via the e-PMS portal, with special encouragement for candidates from North Eastern states.