J.C. Bose Fellowship is a central government scheme run by Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) for active scientists with a strong research record. The scheme gives selected researchers a monthly fellowship, an annual research grant, and overhead support for the host institute. In 2026, the government restructured this scheme as the ANRF J.C. Bose Grant (JBG) and increased the annual research support to ₹25 lakh for senior scientists and engineers.
The fellowship is scientist-specific and highly selective. Only active scientists with an outstanding track record, like winners of the SS Bhatnagar prize or fellows of national science academies, get considered for it. Nominations are made by Heads of Institutions, current J.C. Bose Fellows, and Presidents of National Science Academies through the official ANRF online portal.
J.C. Bose Fellowship - Introduction
J.C. Bose Fellowship recognizes active scientists for their exceptional contributions to science. As a highly selective program, it rewards researchers who keep a record of excellence. The nominee must be in active service at a recognized institution in India at the time of nomination to qualify for this fellowship.
The initial duration of the fellowship is five years. If the scientist reaches retirement age during this term, the fellowship can continue provided a host institution agrees to support the work. The tenure can be extended for another 5 years after a rigorous performance review, and a minimum of 25 percent of applicants seeking extension are typically cycled out of the program.
For the 2026 cycle, ANRF has launched the restructured J.C. Bose Grant with a higher research grant of ₹25 lakh per year. The grant runs for a period of five years under two budget heads, recurring costs like manpower, consumables and travel, and non-recurring costs like equipment up to 20 percent of the total grant. The host institute also gets ₹1 lakh per year as overheads.
Key Information
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Scheme Name | J.C. Bose Fellowship |
| Level | Central |
| Eligible People | Active senior scientists and engineers |
| Main Department | Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF), Department of Science and Technology |
| Department Running the Scheme | ANRF (earlier Science and Engineering Research Board) |
| Monthly Fellowship | ₹25,000 |
| Annual Research Grant | ₹25 Lakh under ANRF J.C. Bose Grant 2026 |
| Application Mode | Online (anrfonline.in) |
| Official Website | anrfonline.in |
Benefits
This scheme gives researchers both monthly and annual support. Under the ongoing fellowship, a selected scientist gets ₹25,000 per month in addition to regular income, along with an annual research grant and overhead support for the host institute.
| Support Type | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly Fellowship | ₹25,000 |
| Annual Research Grant (Fellowship) | ₹15 Lakh |
| Host Institute Overhead | ₹1 Lakh |
| Annual Research Grant (JBG 2026) | ₹25 Lakh |
Under the new ANRF J.C. Bose Grant 2026, the annual research grant has been raised to ₹25 lakh. This amount covers manpower, consumables, travel, contingency and other running costs, with up to 20 percent of the total grant allowed for equipment. The grant can be used for hiring research staff, buying consumables, national and international travel, and equipment repairs.
Eligibility
Scientists need to meet the following conditions to get the J.C. Bose Fellowship:
- The applicant should be an active scientist with a record of outstanding performance, such as being a recipient of the SS Bhatnagar prize or holding a fellowship from recognized national science academies.
- The applicant should be currently employed at an institution or university within India.
- The applicant should hold Indian nationality. For the 2026 grant, Overseas Citizens of India (OCI) working in Indian institutions are also eligible.
- Scientists can get this fellowship up to the age of 68 years. For the ANRF J.C. Bose Grant, the applicant should be between 45 and 65 years of age at the time of submission.
- The applicant should not be receiving any other personal fellowship or research grant from government sources at the same time.
Scientists who have already completed three terms as a J.C. Bose fellow or grantee are not eligible for the new grant. Those with an ongoing fellowship can apply if their current fellowship ends within six months from the date of submission of the new proposal. Scientists looking for similar research support can also check the Abdul Kalam Technology Innovation National Fellowship.
Application Process
Nominations for J.C. Bose Fellowship are accepted throughout the year from authorized nominators, including Heads of Institutions, current J.C. Bose Fellows, and Presidents of National Science Academies. For the ANRF J.C. Bose Grant 2026, nominations are invited through a call for proposals announced on the ANRF website.
STEP 1: The nominator should register on the ANRF online portal.
STEP 2: Log in to the portal and go to Proposal Submission, then Form Submission.
STEP 3: Enter complete details of the nominee, including professional experience, educational background, and specialization.
STEP 4: Upload a single PDF file (maximum 10 MB) detailing the research contributions made over the last 5 years. For the new grant, the nominee fills the form on the ANRF portal and clicks Send to Nominator. The nominator then receives a link by email to review and submit the nomination.
For more help with the online process, see the guidelines for nominators. For direct support, contact the ANRF fellowship desk at +91-11-26552216 or email anrf-fellowships@anrf.gov.in.
Documents
Make sure the following documents are ready before starting the nomination:
- Recent passport-size photograph
- Proof of date of birth
- Detailed record of research contributions
- Academic qualification certificates
- Summary of professional training and research history
- Employment verification documents
- List of awards and honors received
- Complete publication and patent lists
- Recommendation letter from the nominator
References
Find more details about J.C. Bose Fellowship here:
- Official Website
- ANRF J.C. Bose Grant 2026 Call for Proposals
- SERB Awards and Fellowship Page
- Formats and Application Guidelines
FAQ's
Who can apply for J.C. Bose Fellowship?
This scheme is made for active, high-performing Indian scientists who show excellence in their specific fields of science. Winners of the SS Bhatnagar prize and fellows of national science academies are typical candidates.
Are all scientific fields covered?
Yes, all areas of science are eligible for consideration under this fellowship. The 2026 grant also covers engineering, agriculture, medicine, and humanities and social sciences at the interface of science and technology.
What is the upper age limit?
Scientists can get this fellowship up to the age of 68 years. For the new ANRF J.C. Bose Grant 2026, the applicant should be between 45 and 65 years of age at the time of submission.
Is the fellowship amount taxable?
Yes, the personal fellowship grant received by the scientist is subject to applicable taxes.
Can the research grant be used flexibly?
Yes, the annual grant can be used for research-related expenses such as hiring manpower, purchasing consumables, international and national travel, and equipment repairs. Under the 2026 grant, up to 20 percent of the total grant can go toward equipment.
How is the extension process determined?
The extension for another 5 years depends on a rigorous assessment of research output from the previous term. A minimum of 25 percent of candidates are typically not given extensions based on this performance review.
What changed under the ANRF J.C. Bose Grant 2026?
The government restructured the J.C. Bose Fellowship into the ANRF J.C. Bose Grant. The annual research grant has been raised from ₹15 lakh to ₹25 lakh, and the nomination process now runs through the ANRF online portal at anrfonline.in. The last date for the 2026 cycle nominations was 10 February 2026, and the next call will be announced on the ANRF website.