DST Launches New Initiatives: Prime Minister Early Career Research Grant and MAHA-EV Mission

PMECRG offers Rs 60 lakh for early career researchers; eligibility includes PhD/MD/MS holders under 42 years, with age relaxations for SC/ST/OBC, differently-abled, and women candidates.

The Department of Science & Technology (DST) has announced two significant programs under the newly operationalized Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF): the Prime Minister Early Career Research Grant (PMECRG) and the Mission for Advancement in High-Impact Areas - Electric Vehicle (MAHA-EV) Mission. Both initiatives aim to strengthen India's research ecosystem and enhance scientific innovation.

The PMECRG is designed to empower early career researchers by providing financial and strategic support, enabling them to contribute to India's scientific excellence. The grant offers Rs 60 lakh plus overheads for a period of three years, with provisions for international travel, flexible resource utilization, and support for open access publications and patent filing. A maximum of 700 grants will be awarded annually across diverse subject areas.

Eligible candidates must hold a PhD, MD, MS, MDS, or MVSc degree and work in a recognized institution. The age limit is set at 42 years, with a three-year relaxation for SC/ST/OBC, differently-abled, and women candidates. Applicants can apply within two years of joining their institution, with a one-time relaxation for the current call.

Applications are open from October 14, 2024, and will close on November 19, 2024. Details are available at www.anrfonline.in.

MAHA-EV Mission

The MAHA-EV Mission focuses on advancing research and development (R&D) capabilities in electric vehicle (EV) components, including tropical EV batteries, power electronics, machines and drives (PEMD), and charging infrastructure. It aims to position India as a global hub for EV component development and promote self-reliance in the sector.

Researchers from recognized academic institutions, national laboratories, and R&D organizations can participate, with mandatory collaboration from relevant industries, PSUs, or start-ups. The call for applications opens on October 14, 2024, and closes on November 25, 2024. The launch event will take place on October 26, 2024, at IIT Bombay.

Highlighting the significance of these initiatives, DST Secretary Prof. Abhay Karandikar said, "The PMECRG is a great opportunity for early career researchers to join the country’s transformative journey and contribute to the advancement of India’s scientific excellence and innovation."

Discussing the MAHA-EV Mission, he added, "This initiative brings great hope for scientists, engineers, and innovators working in EV components. It is designed for achieving strategic autonomy in key areas like battery cells, PEMD, and charging infrastructure."

Prof. Karandikar emphasized that both programs aim to bridge the gap between academic research and industrial application, a key goal of ANRF. "The operationalisation of ANRF began with the first meeting of the Governing Board chaired by the Hon’ble Prime Minister on September 10, 2024. This is just the first step toward ANRF’s mandate to provide strategic direction for research, innovation, and entrepreneurship, supplementing our march towards Aatma Nirbhar Bharat. More programs will be launched in the coming months," he added.