Abdul Kalam Technology Innovation National Fellowship

Department of Science and Technology (DST) in partnership with Indian National Academy of Engineering (INAE) had launched Abdul Kalam Technology Innovation National Fellowship in 2017 to help talented engineers turn their research ideas into practical solutions. This fellowship was designed for Indian nationals working in public-funded institutions to bridge the gap between fundamental research and real-world technology development.

Scheme has been closed or it was a one time scheme which has been closed by the government.

This fellowship was named after late Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam, the former President of India, who inspired the nation through technological excellence. The Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB) used to administer this program to help researchers effectively transform their work into tangible products, devices, or processes. As of 2026, the Executive Council of Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) has made the decision to discontinue this scheme.

Abdul Kalam Technology Innovation National Fellowship - Details

Scope: The fellowship covered all branches of engineering, innovation, and technology development.

Duration: Selected fellows used to receive support for an initial three years, which the organization could extend by up to two additional years based on research progress, capped at a maximum of five years.

Expected Outcome: The focus was on translational research that leads to deployable technology, pilot-scale trials, patentable advancements, or working prototypes for public use.

Fellowship Capacity: A maximum of 10 individuals used to receive this award annually.

Key Information

Benefits

The program provided big financial backing to help researchers advance their work:

Please note that this fellowship amount was subject to income tax as per government regulations.

Eligibility

To be eligible for this fellowship, applicants had to meet the following criteria:

1. Applicant must be an Indian national employed in a public-funded institution in India.
2. Overseas Citizens of India holding permanent positions in public-funded institutions were also eligible.
3. Applicant should hold at least a bachelor's degree with a solid track record in technological innovation.
4. Applicant should have at least five years of service remaining at the parent organization at the time of application.
5. Applicant should not hold any other active research fellowship while participating in this program.

Application Process

Since this fellowship relied on nominations, eligible candidates had to reach out to nominators to support their candidature. Self-nominations were not permitted.

Nomination Process

Nominations used to remain open throughout the year. Institutional heads, fellows of national engineering academies, or awardees like SS Bhatnagar or JC Bose winners could nominate candidates.

How to Apply (Historical Process)

STEP 1 - Download the official nomination form from the INAE website for reference.

STEP 2 - Prepare the application with all supporting documents.

STEP 3 - Submit the completed nomination via email to inaehq@inae.in.

Selection Procedure

A specialized Search-cum-Selection Expert Committee used to review all nominations to select fellows based on the merit of their proposed innovation and research impact.

Documents

Applicants had to keep the following list of required documents ready for their application:

• Valid identity proof
• Recent passport-size photograph
• Age verification document
• Proof of current employment
• Educational degree certificates
• Records of professional awards or prior fellowships
• Endorsement certificate from the institution
• Bank account details (Account number, branch name, and IFSC code)

References

Download Guidelines

Official INAE Discontinuation Notice

ANRF Official Website

FAQ's

What was the main goal of this scheme?

The scheme aimed to achieve excellence in engineering, innovation, and technology development by supporting researchers and their projects in public-funded institutions.

Why was this fellowship discontinued?

The Executive Council of Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF), which subsumed SERB, made the decision to discontinue this scheme as part of restructuring the fellowship framework.

Which organization managed this fellowship?

The Indian National Academy of Engineering (INAE) acted as the implementing agency in partnership with DST and SERB (now ANRF).

When did the government start this program?

The program was officially launched in 2017.

Were there age-related restrictions for this fellowship?

While there was no specific age bar, applicants had to have at least five years of service left at their parent organization to qualify.

What areas of research were eligible?

All fields related to engineering, technological innovation, and scientific development qualified for this fellowship.

Could candidates apply on their own?

No, self-nominations were not accepted. Candidates had to be nominated by a recognized professional, such as a Head of Institution or a National Academy fellow.

Was the financial support taxable?

Yes, the fellowship amount was taxable according to prevailing government income tax rules.