AI SummaryDepartment of Health Research (DHR), under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, runs the Short Term Fellowship under the Human Resource Development Programme for Health Research for regular faculty members and researchers of Indian institutes. The scheme gives advanced training in India and abroad so that doctors and scientists can sharpen their skills in priority areas of medical research. DHR opened the 2026-27 call for short-term and long-term fellowship abroad in April 2026, and the last date for that call was 15 July 2026 after an extension. Fresh calls are announced every year on the official website.
Selected fellows get a monthly stipend of ₹40,000 for training at an Indian institute in a different station, ₹20,000 if the training is at the same station, and US$3,000 per month for training abroad. The fellowship period is 1 to 3 months at Indian institutes and 15 days to 3 months at foreign institutes. Applications are submitted online through the DHR e-PMS portal.
Short Term Fellowship under the Human Resource Development Programme for Health Research - Introduction
The Short Term Fellowship under the HRD Programme for Health Research is one of the main components of the DHR HRD scheme, which the Department of Health Research runs to create a pool of trained health research personnel in the country. The scheme helps regular faculty members and researchers of medical colleges, universities, and research institutes upgrade their clinical and scientific skills in fields like Clinical Trials, Genomics, Biotechnology, and Mental Health.
The scheme has two short-term parts. Short Term Fellowship Abroad covers training of 15 days to 3 months at a foreign institute. Short Term Fellowship at Indian Institutes covers training of 1 to 3 months at an Indian institute in a different station from the parent institute. Both parts are open only to Indian citizens working in the country. A related long-term version of the scheme supports training of 6 to 12 months, and it is covered in a separate article on Long Term Fellowship under the Human Resource Development Programme for Health Research.
The amended guidelines for the scheme came into force on 1 January 2026. Under the new rules, the age limit for short-term fellowship abroad is below 57 years, and for short-term fellowship at Indian institutes it is up to 45 years. The applicant needs a post-graduate medical degree or a Ph.D. in health research with at least three years of teaching or research experience.
Highlights
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Scheme Name | Short Term Fellowship under the Human Resource Development Programme for Health Research |
| Launched By | Department of Health Research, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India |
| Eligible People | Regular faculty members and researchers of Indian institutes |
| Fellowship Duration | 1 to 3 months at Indian institutes, 15 days to 3 months abroad |
| Stipend | ₹40,000 or ₹20,000 per month in India, US$3,000 per month abroad |
| Age Limit | Up to 45 years for Indian institutes, below 57 years for abroad |
| Application Mode | Online |
| Official Website | schemes.dhr.gov.in |
| Contact | dhr-hrdschemes@gov.in |
Benefits
Selected fellows get a consolidated stipend and a contingency grant for the training period. The monthly stipend depends on the training location, and the full amount is released to the parent institute, which then pays the fellow as per the DHR rules.
| Training Location | Monthly Stipend | Contingency Grant |
|---|---|---|
| Indian Institute (Different Station) | ₹40,000 | Up to ₹30,000 plus up to ₹20,000 for progress review meetings at DHR |
| Indian Institute (Same Station) | ₹20,000 | As per DHR norms |
| Foreign Institute | US$3,000 | Up to ₹75,000 for visa, SEVIS fee and taxi, plus up to ₹20,000 for overseas Mediclaim insurance |
For training abroad, the fellow also gets return economy class airfare booked through Government of India authorised travel agents like Balmer Lawrie, Ashok Travels and Tours, and IRCTC. A one-time contingency grant of up to ₹30,000 is given to outstation candidates for local travel and related expenses, and up to ₹20,000 is paid for attending progress review meetings at DHR. Training in the same institute where the applicant already works is not considered for stipend and grant.
Eligibility
Regular faculty members and researchers who meet the conditions given below can apply for the fellowship.
- Indian citizen working in India: only Indian citizens employed at Indian institutes can apply, and the application must be forwarded by the employer or the Head of the Institution.
- Qualification: the applicant should hold an M.D., M.S., M.D.S., or DNB degree, or an MBBS, BDS, MVSc, M.Sc., M.Pharma, or M.Tech degree with a Ph.D. in health or biomedical research.
- Experience: at least three years of teaching or research work in a recognized institute after getting the required qualification.
- Age limit: below 57 years for fellowship abroad, and up to 45 years for training at Indian institutes, as on the last date of receipt of application.
- No similar fellowship earlier: the applicant should not have received any similar fellowship from any Central or State government agency in the last 3 years.
- Host institute acceptance: for foreign training, a letter of acceptance from the host institute and a proposed training plan are required.
Applicants from private colleges and universities have to submit the recognition letter from the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE).
Application Process
The application for the Short Term Fellowship under the HRD Programme is submitted online through the DHR e-PMS portal. There is no offline process. The 2026-27 call for short-term and long-term fellowship abroad closed on 15 July 2026, and DHR announces fresh calls every year on its official website. When a call is open, follow these steps.
STEP 1 - Go to the DHR e-PMS portal at schemes.dhr.gov.in and register as a new user if you are using it for the first time.
STEP 2 - Log in with your user id and password, and verify your email id through the link sent to your inbox.
STEP 3 - Complete your professional profile by entering all the required details.
STEP 4 - Click on Submit New Proposal and select the HRD sub-scheme for short-term fellowship.
STEP 5 - Read the scheme guidelines, prepare the research proposal and the training plan, and upload the required documents.
STEP 6 - Submit the application before the last date mentioned in the call notice. For fellowship abroad, the application is made through the International Fellowships portal at intfel.icmr.org.in/ihd/ after the call opens.
Queries about the scheme can be sent to dhr-hrdschemes@gov.in.
Documents
Keep the following documents ready before starting the online application.
- Identity proof and age proof certificate
- Passport-size photograph
- Academic qualification certificates
- Caste or disability certificate, if applicable
- Technical proposal and training plan in the prescribed format
- Undertaking by the applicant and declaration or attestation
- Certificate from the Head of the Institute
- Mentor consent letter
- DSIR recognition certificate and mandate form
- Letter of acceptance from the host institute for foreign training
- Claim sheets and expense certificates where applicable
References
Official Department Website | Amended HRD Scheme Guidelines 2026 PDF | DHR HRD Guidelines Page | 2026-27 Call for Fellowship Abroad | Extension Notice for 2026-27 Call
FAQ's
What is the Short Term Fellowship under the HRD Programme for Health Research?
It is a training fellowship run by the Department of Health Research for regular faculty members and researchers of Indian institutes. It supports advanced training in India and abroad in priority areas of biomedical and health research.
Who can apply?
Indian citizens working in India at an Indian institute can apply. The applicant should hold an M.D., M.S., M.D.S., or DNB degree, or an MBBS, BDS, MVSc, M.Sc., M.Pharma, or M.Tech degree with a Ph.D. in health or biomedical research, and should have at least three years of teaching or research experience.
What is the age limit?
The age limit is below 57 years for short-term fellowship abroad and up to 45 years for short-term fellowship at Indian institutes, as on the last date of receipt of application.
What is the duration of the fellowship?
The fellowship lasts 1 to 3 months for training at Indian institutes and 15 days to 3 months for training at foreign institutes.
How much stipend is paid?
Fellows get ₹40,000 per month for training at an Indian institute in a different station, ₹20,000 per month for training at the same station, and US$3,000 per month for training abroad. Contingency grants are paid separately as per the scheme rules.
Is the application process online?
Yes. Applications are submitted online through the DHR e-PMS portal at schemes.dhr.gov.in. For fellowship abroad, applications are made through the International Fellowships portal at intfel.icmr.org.in/ihd/ when a call is open.
Is the 2026-27 call still open?
No. The 2026-27 call for short-term and long-term fellowship abroad closed on 15 July 2026 after an extension. DHR announces fresh calls every year, and the next call will be posted on the official website schemes.dhr.gov.in.
Where can I get the detailed guidelines?
The amended HRD scheme guidelines that came into force on 1 January 2026 are posted on the DHR HRD Guidelines page at schemes.dhr.gov.in/hrd.