Call for Proposals Under Prime Minister Professorship: Catalyzing World-Class Research and Innovation in Emerging Institutions
The Prime Minister Professorship, a flagship initiative under the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF), is a pioneering step to revolutionize research and innovation across India’s less-endowed state universities. Through the engagement of eminent, superannuated scientists, and faculty professionals, this initiative aims to seed a world-class research culture in emerging institutions. The focus keyword, “Prime Minister Professorship”, forms the cornerstone of this transformative journey—bringing mentorship, funding, and structure to places where the R&D ecosystem is still in its infancy.
🌟 What is the Prime Minister Professorship Program?
The Prime Minister Professorship program is a strategic intervention that harnesses the wisdom and experience of retired academic stalwarts, industry experts, and international professionals to mentor and uplift research capacities at state universities. These universities are often underrepresented in high-impact research and lack the infrastructure to compete on global stages.
By appointing PM Professors, the initiative intends to provide structured guidance, collaboration opportunities, and financial backing to elevate the academic ecosystem. The focus keyword remains central to this effort to promote interdisciplinary, translational research and innovation-led education.
🎯 Core Objectives of the Prime Minister Professorship
🔬 Strengthening R&D Culture
The Prime Minister Professorship is deeply focused on boosting the research and innovation infrastructure of state universities categorized under PAIR (Partnerships for Advancing Innovation and Research). These institutions, classified in Category A, are set to become hubs of innovation through expert mentorship.
🌍 Leveraging Global and National Expertise
One of the core ambitions is to leverage the expertise of superannuated scientists, Non-Resident Indians (NRIs), Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs), and Overseas Citizens of India (OCIs). By doing so, India’s intellectual diaspora and national academic wealth are brought into synergy with emerging universities.
🤝 Promoting Inter-Institutional Collaboration
A Prime Minister Professorship encourages collaboration between established R&D centers, industry leaders, and target institutions, fostering an ecosystem of shared knowledge and sustainable research growth.
📚 Eligibility Criteria for Prime Minister Professorship
To maintain the program’s elite standards, the eligibility criteria are strictly defined:
Superannuated or retired faculty/scientists from renowned Indian institutions, labs, or private universities.
NRIs, PIOs, OCIs, and international professionals aged 55 or older.
Distinguished industrial professionals or Professors of Practice with a track record in innovation and research.
Applicants must relocate full-time to the host university and commit to mentorship and capacity building.
Eligible host institutions are Category A spoke institutions under the PAIR program. Click here for the list of institutions
🔑 The Prime Minister Professorship is reserved for individuals with a proven track record of excellence and who possess a deep commitment to elevating the research landscape of underdeveloped academic environments.
📋 Roles and Responsibilities of a Prime Minister Professor
The appointment of a PM Professor is more than honorary. It involves a wide array of crucial responsibilities that contribute to systemic academic transformation.
🔍 Enhancing Research Capabilities
The Prime Minister Professorship empowers target institutions to conduct globally competitive research by:
Establishing research labs and centers of excellence.
Introducing translational and interdisciplinary research methodologies.
Mobilizing CSR funds, infrastructure funds, and institutional grants.
👨🏫 Mentorship of Faculty and Students
A key role of the Prime Minister Professorship is to act as an academic catalyst:
Guide faculty in proposal writing, patent filing, and journal publications.
Mentor students in conducting cutting-edge research projects.
🔗 Building Collaborative Networks
The PM Professor must:
Establish linkages between research labs, industries, and universities.
Promote joint ventures, MoUs, and international tie-ups.
🧾 Proposal Submission and Evaluation Guidelines
Applicants under the Prime Minister Professorship must prepare and submit a joint proposal with their host institution. This document serves as the roadmap for their 5-year engagement.
📌 Proposal Must Include:
A clear activity title (max 500 characters).
A 5-year research strategy (max 3000 characters).
Defined objectives and expected outcomes (max 1500 characters each).
Participation of at least two academic departments.
A technical document PDF (not exceeding 10MB) outlining methodologies, plans, and scope.
🧪 Evaluation Criteria:
Proposals will be assessed by a high-level selection committee based on:
Scientific accomplishments (publications, patents, awards).
Innovative strategies for capacity development.
Interdisciplinary engagement.
Past and current research projects, including government-funded initiatives.
Feasibility and scalability of proposed activities.
💰 Funding Support under the Prime Minister Professorship
A substantial financial package is allotted to each PM Professor, ensuring complete focus and support during their tenure.
| Funding Component | Amount Per Annum |
|---|---|
| Fellowship | ₹30 lakh |
| Research Grant (travel, etc.) | ₹24 lakh |
| Institutional Overhead | ₹1 lakh |
The host university must commit to providing:
Office and lab space
Access to library and core facilities
Administrative assistance
🚫 Note: PM Professors are not allowed to hold any other honorarium, salary, or administrative position during their tenure.
⏳ Duration and Commitment
Tenure: 5 years
Performance Review: After 3 years by expert committee
Applicants must be at least 55 years old at the time of application
No upper age limit
The Prime Minister Professorship is a full-time commitment, with a direct focus on the advancement of academic and research excellence in host institutions.
📑 Obligations and Terms & Conditions
⚖️ Key Obligations:
Annual technical report submission by March 31st.
All grants routed through host institute.
IP rights governed by the host university’s regulations.
Acknowledgment of ANRF in all scholarly outputs.
Annual progress updates to be showcased on ANRF’s digital portal.
📦 Equipment and Infrastructure Utilization
If needed, a portion of the research grant can be used for purchasing essential lab equipment, especially in collaboration with the host institution’s CSR or infrastructure funds—with prior ANRF approval.
- Applicants should first register in the ANRF online portal at www.anrfonline.in click here to register
- After log-in, applicants are required to fill in all the mandatory fields under User Profile section, which includes Bio-data, Photo, Institute address, etc.
- Some of the details of a proposal like Activity Title (max 500 characters), projected 5 year research plan (max 3000 characters), Keywords (max 6), Objectives of the activity (max 1500 characters), Expected output and outcome of the proposal (max 1500 characters).
- Other relevant information of the proposal has to be uploaded as a single PDF file, not more than 10 MB, as a Technical Document (TD).Download Template
- Biodata of PI/Mentor(under user profile section) Download Template
- Certificate from Team Download Template
- Endorsement Letter from the Head of Institution Download Template
- Details of research facilities/ labs and equipment available in the department/s proposed to work with and other departments, endorsed by the Head of the Institute. Download Template
- Undertaking from the PM Professorship applicant. Download Template
- Improved research environment and quality, jointly authored peer reviewed world class publications/patents.
- Research & Innovation impact beyond papers/publications/patents.
- Faculty and student empowerment through research and academic mentoring.
- Strengthened institutional reputation and collaboration.
- Long-term sustainability through knowledge transfer.
- Raising funds (public/private) in collaboration with faculty at the host institute (by submitting collaborative research proposal to the funding agencies, as Co-PI).
🌐 How to Apply Online for Prime Minister Professorship
Register at the official ANRF Portal: www.anrfonline.in
Complete your user profile, including:
Bio-data
Photograph
Institute details
Fill in proposal details, including:
Title
Objectives
5-Year Plan
Keywords (Max 6)
Output & Outcome
Upload Technical Document (PDF)—Max 10MB
For full proposal submission, Download Technical Document Template
🧠 Conclusion: Transforming India’s Research Landscape One Institution at a Time
The Prime Minister Professorship is a visionary endeavor that stands to transform India’s academic and research ecosystem. By empowering seasoned experts to mentor and collaborate with nascent research institutions, this initiative creates an inclusive, future-ready, innovation-centric academic environment.
This is more than just a call for proposals—it is a call for national transformation through knowledge. With its generous funding, elite mentorship, and strategic vision, the Prime Minister Professorship is set to redefine the trajectory of Indian science, technology, engineering, medicine, agriculture, and social science research.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Can a serving professor apply for the Prime Minister Professorship?
No. Only superannuated, retired, or industry professionals aged 55 or older are eligible. The applicant must not be receiving any salary or honorarium from another institute during the tenure.
2. Can international professionals participate in the program?
Yes. The Prime Minister Professorship is open to NRIs, PIOs, and OCIs, as long as they meet the age and experience criteria and are willing to relocate full-time to the host institution.
3. What types of universities can host a PM Professor?
Only state universities categorized as ‘Category A Spoke Institutions’ under the PAIR program are eligible to host PM Professors. See the full list here
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