The Department of Health Research (DHR), Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India, has released the amended guidelines for the Human Resource Development (HRD) Scheme for Health Research. This scheme provides fellowships, research grants, PhD support, international training opportunities, and startup funding for medical, pharma, dental, biotechnology, and biomedical research candidates.
This is one of the biggest opportunities for students, researchers, medical faculty, women scientists, and biomedical professionals who want to build a career in health and biomedical research.
About the HRD Scheme
The Human Resource Development Scheme was launched to create a strong pool of trained researchers in India by supporting:
- Medical students
- Pharma students
- Biomedical researchers
- Faculty members
- Women scientists
- Young researchers
- NRI/OCI/PIO scientists
The scheme focuses on advanced biomedical and health research training in priority areas such as:
- Biotechnology
- Drug research
- Toxicology
- Genomics
- Stem Cell Research
- Clinical Research
- Clinical Pharmacology
- Health Informatics
- Medical Ethics
- Precision Medicine
- Quality Control & QA
Main Objectives of the Scheme
The major goals of the DHR-ICMR HRD Scheme are:
- To increase skilled health researchers in India
- To support medical and biomedical research careers
- To encourage interdisciplinary research
- To strengthen research infrastructure
- To provide national and international training opportunities
Who Can Apply?
The scheme benefits a wide range of candidates including:
- MBBS students
- BDS students
- M.Pharm candidates
- M.Sc students
- Medical PG students
- Biomedical researchers
- Faculty members
- Women scientists
- PhD scholars
- NRI/OCI researchers
🔥 Major Fellowships & Programs Under the Scheme
Short-Term Studentship (STS)
This program is designed for undergraduate medical and dental students interested in biomedical research.
Eligibility
- 1st and 2nd year MBBS/BDS students
Financial Support
💰 ₹60,000 stipend
Duration
- 6 months research work
Seats
- Around 2000 students per year
MD/MS/MDS Thesis Support Program
This scheme supports postgraduate medical and dental students for quality thesis research.
Financial Assistance
💰 ₹1 Lakh grant
Eligibility
- MD/MS/MDS/DNB students
Additional Benefit
- Support for publication in indexed journals
Medical PhD Programme
This program encourages young medical graduates and faculty members to pursue PhD in biomedical sciences.
Eligibility
- MBBS/BDS graduates
- MD/MS/MDS degree holders
- Young medical faculty
Research Grant
💰 Up to ₹10 Lakhs per year
Stipend
- Up to ₹96,000/month for eligible candidates
Duration
- Up to 5 years
Biomedical Research Fellowship for Non-Medical Background
A major opportunity for Pharma, Biotechnology, and Biomedical Science students.
Eligible Candidates
- M.Pharm
- M.Sc
- Biotechnology graduates
- Biomedical science students
Fellowship Amount
JRF
💰 ₹37,000 + HRA/month
SRF
💰 ₹42,000 + HRA/month
Additional Support
- ₹20,000 annual contingency grant
Women Scientist Fellowship
This fellowship supports women researchers who had a career break and want to return to research.
Eligibility
- Women scientists with 1–5 years career break
Financial Support
Category A
💰 ₹90,000/month
Category B
💰 ₹65,000/month
Research Grant
💰 Up to ₹10 Lakhs per year
International Fellowship Abroad
The scheme also provides opportunities for international biomedical research training.
Short-Term Fellowship Abroad
Duration
- 15 days to 3 months
Benefits
- US$3000/month stipend
- Airfare support
- Visa & insurance reimbursement
Long-Term Fellowship Abroad
Duration
- 6 to 12 months
Eligibility
- M.Pharm/M.Tech/Medical researchers with PhD
Financial Support
- US$3000/month stipend
- Airfare and contingency support
Start-Up Grant for Young Researchers
This scheme supports young biomedical researchers who recently completed their PhD.
Financial Support
💰 Up to ₹48 Lakhs for 3 years
Eligibility
- Faculty/researchers with PhD completed within last 5 years
🌍 Areas of Research Covered
The HRD Scheme supports research in:
- Clinical Pharmacology
- Toxicology
- Drug Chemistry
- Genomics
- Stem Cell Research
- Biotechnology
- Mental Health
- Precision Medicine
- Food Safety
- Health Economics
- Molecular Disease Research
💡 Why This Scheme is Important for Pharma Students?
This scheme offers excellent opportunities for Pharma and biomedical students to:
✅ Build research careers
✅ Receive government fellowships
✅ Get international exposure
✅ Publish research papers
✅ Pursue funded PhD programs
✅ Work in biomedical innovation and drug research
Especially for M.Pharm and biotechnology students, this scheme can open doors to advanced biomedical research and academic careers
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