Senior Fellowships for Researchers in India

Purpose

This scheme supports outstanding researchers, either medically qualified or science graduates, who wish to pursue an independent research career in an academic institution in India.

What's included

The fellowship is for five years, and provides:

• personal support for the fellow
• essential costs of the research programme, including consumables, equipment, collaborative travel, research assistance and technical support if appropriate
• overheads, a flexible funding allowance and support to attend scientific meetings, in addition to requested essential costs.

All budgetary requests must be fully justified.

Eligibility

You should have between five and ten years' research experience at a postdoctoral level or clinical equivalent and have a substantial record of publications in your chosen area of research in leading international journals.

Due allowance will be given to an applicant whose career has been affected for personal reasons.

Candidates need not be Indian nationals but must already be pursuing or intending to pursue an academic research career in India. Applications are particularly encouraged from outstanding scientists working outside their own countries who wish to return home.

If you applied last year and were not short-listed to submit a full application, you are not restricted from re-applying, subject to meeting the eligibility criteria for the scheme.

You must have an eligible sponsoring institution in India that will administer the fellowship for the full duration of the award. If the host institution has not completed an eligibility check, further information will be requested if a full application is invited.

Sponsorship

You must have a sponsor in your host department who will guarantee space and facilities, and can guarantee that you will be welcomed in the host institution. Your sponsor must hold an established post at the host institution.

It is not necessary for your sponsor to sign the preliminary application form, but it should be noted that full applications will not be processed unless your sponsor is able to guarantee all these requirements.

Your host institution should be able to provide a future career position for you, subject to its usual selection procedure. We would hope that on completion of your award you would be given the opportunity to become a more permanent member of staff.

Application process

You should complete and submit a preliminary application form [Word 188KB] by the published deadline.

Completed forms should be sent to info@wellcomedbt.org.

You will be notified in writing of your success, or otherwise, in reaching the next round of the competition. Decisions will not be available by telephone.

If you are successful you will be invited to submit a full application.

Resubmission following consideration of full application is not normally permitted.

Your application will be reviewed by the appropriate advisory committee and, if successful, you will be short-listed for interview. Interviews will take place in Hyderabad.

Awards will be conditional upon a satisfactory performance at interview.

You may not apply for more than one Alliance fellowship scheme at any one time.

Deadlines

This is an annual competition.

• Preliminary application deadline: 14 September 2009
• Invited full application deadline: 4 December 2009
• Selection Committee review: March 2010
• Short-listed candidate interviews: April 2010

Late applications will not be accepted at any stage.

Fellowships must be started within one year of award.

Contacts

Queries and completed preliminary forms should be sent to info@wellcomedbt.org.