National Renewable Energy Fellowship Scheme of the Human Resource Development Programme in New and Renewable Energy

National Renewable Energy Fellowship Scheme (NREF), run by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, gives monthly financial support to students and researchers pursuing higher studies and advanced research in renewable energy. The scheme helps candidates doing M.Sc, M.Tech, PhD, Junior and Senior Research Fellowship, and post-doctoral research in clean energy areas like solar, wind, bioenergy, green hydrogen and energy storage.

The scheme runs under the Human Resource Development Programme in New and Renewable Energy with a total outlay of ₹200 crore for the FY 2021-2026 period. It supports 375 fellowships over five years, with 75 new fellowships every year through top NIRF-ranked institutions. Stipend amounts follow the latest CSIR, AICTE and DST rates, so the fellowship money has been revised upwards for 2026-27.

National Renewable Energy Fellowship Scheme (NREF) - Overview

The fellowship programme is split into two parts, the National Renewable Energy Fellowship (NREF) and the National Renewable Energy Science Fellowship (NRESF). NREF takes care of M.Sc, M.Tech and PhD students, while NRESF supports young scientists with a PhD and research experience of at least ten years in renewable energy sciences.

The aim is simple. The Ministry wants to build a strong group of trained people who can work in the energy sector and push research that has real use in the market. Applications for the 2026-27 round opened on 12th February 2026 and closed on 10th April 2026. If you missed that window, keep an eye on the official website because the next application notification will be released there.

Key Information

Fellowship Amount (Revised Rates 2026-27)

Monthly stipend depends on the level of your study. These are the revised rates for 2026-27, which follow the current CSIR, AICTE and DST guidelines. Payments go straight to your bank account through the DBT system.

JRF and SRF fellows also get an annual contingency grant of ₹20,000 to cover research costs. If you move from a JRF to an SRF, you can continue your doctoral work for a combined maximum period of 5 years.

Eligibility Criteria

For the Applicant

1. You should be enrolled in an M.Sc, M.Tech, or PhD program specifically in renewable energy technologies.
2. You should hold a valid qualification via GATE, CSIR, NET, or AICTE relevant to your course of study.
3. Research fellows should be pursuing advanced research in recognized institutions approved by the Ministry.

For the Institute

1. The institute should feature within the Top 100 NIRF rankings and have the required infrastructure for renewable energy studies.
2. The university or technical institution must offer specialized energy studies or renewable energy programs to host these fellows.

Application Process

The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy releases annual advertisements inviting applications from institutes. Interested universities submit their fellowship slot requests to the Ministry, and a committee of eminent scientists picks the host institutes based on their research strength. Once selected, each host institute runs its own internal selection to find meritorious students. The institute then sends the details of the chosen candidates to the Ministry for final approval and payment of the fellowship.

STEP 1 - Take admission in a recognized institute that offers renewable energy courses and is approved under the scheme.

STEP 2 - Clear the qualifying exams needed for your course, like GATE, CSIR, NET, or the institute's own entrance test.

STEP 3 - Apply through your host institute along with the required academic and research documents.

STEP 4 - Wait for the institute's internal selection and the Ministry's final approval for the fellowship payment.

Documents Required

Keep these documents ready when you apply, because the institute checks them during the selection process.

• Passport sized photograph
• Curriculum Vitae (CV)
• Proof of Indian citizenship
• Aadhaar card
• Academic transcripts for all degrees
• Research proposal detailing your study area
• Two letters of recommendation
• Category certificates (SC/ST/OBC/PwD or income certificates, if applicable)

References

View official MNRE fellowship details

View official scheme guidelines PDF

FAQ's

What role do the DBT mode and bank accounts play in paying out fellowships?

The DBT system makes sure that funds reach your bank account directly and securely, which reduces processing time and keeps the process clear.

When do I start receiving my fellowship payments?

Your fellowship payments begin from your official date of joining the program, provided the host institution submits your monthly attendance and continuation reports regularly.

Has the fellowship amount increased for 2026-27?

Yes. As per the revised CSIR and DST rates, JRF stipend has gone up from ₹31,000 to ₹37,000 and SRF from ₹35,000 to ₹42,000 per month. For RA/PDF fellows the amount now goes up to ₹67,000 per month.

What if I missed the 2026-27 application last date?

The 2026-27 application window closed on 10th April 2026. The scheme will release a new notification for the next year. Keep checking the official MNRE website and the hrd.mnre.gov.in portal for the next announcement.

Is the fellowship duration flexible if I am moving from JRF to SRF?

Yes, you can transition from a JRF to an SRF, but your combined doctoral research duration under this fellowship cannot exceed 5 years.

Are there specific technology areas I must focus on?

This scheme supports modern research areas. You should make sure your research matches the thrust areas identified by the Ministry to be eligible for support.