Organisation Name:
The Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF)
Application Deadline:
2 December 2026
About Organisation
The Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) is a statutory organisation established under the ANRF Act 2023 to strengthen India’s research and innovation ecosystem. It works to promote scientific research, technological development, and collaboration across academic institutions, research organisations, and industry. ANRF supports researchers working across scientific disciplines through competitive funding programmes, fellowships, and research initiatives. Its objective is to build a strong national research environment and encourage the development of innovative ideas and discoveries that contribute to India’s scientific and technological advancement.
About the Grant
The Prime Minister Early Career Research Grant (PM-ECRG) is an ANRF funding initiative designed to support early-career researchers establishing their independent research careers in new institutions.
The programme provides financial assistance to researchers developing innovative research projects across scientific and technological disciplines. It aims to encourage promising investigators to establish independent research programmes, develop new ideas, and strengthen institutional research capabilities.
The grant provides funding of up to ₹60 lakh, in addition to applicable overhead charges, for a period of three years. The funding is designed to offer flexibility in research expenditure, including support for manpower, equipment, travel, contingency expenses, and other eligible project-related requirements.
The programme aims to support high-quality research and provide early-career investigators with the resources needed to establish sustainable research activities.
Who can Apply?
The opportunity is intended for eligible early-career researchers meeting the academic, professional, and institutional requirements prescribed by ANRF.
Applicants should hold the required doctoral or equivalent research qualifications and be affiliated with an eligible Indian academic or research institution. The programme is particularly relevant to researchers transitioning into independent research positions and establishing their research careers at new institutions.
Applicants must review the official eligibility conditions concerning age, research experience, institutional appointment, previous funding, and restrictions on simultaneous grant applications.
How to Apply?
Interested researchers should visit the official ANRF online application portal and review the Prime Minister Early Career Research Grant guidelines.
Applicants should prepare a research proposal describing the scientific problem, objectives, methodology, expected outcomes, and potential contribution to the relevant research field. The proposal should also include a detailed budget and information about the applicant’s institutional affiliation and research capabilities.
Applications must be submitted through the designated ANRF electronic project proposal management system. Researchers should ensure that the institutional approvals and supporting documents are completed before submission.
Application Deadline
The application deadline is 2 December 2026
Last Date To Apply
For more information, please visit the grant website here.
