BIRAC E-YUVA and Innovation Fellowships 2026

BIRAC’s E-YUVA scheme supports young Indian students and researchers undertaking applied, translational and entrepreneurship-oriented innovation. The current call contains separate fellowship routes for undergraduate teams and postgraduate or postdoctoral innovators.

• For the undergraduate route, applicants must form a team of three to five Indian undergraduate students from Indian colleges or institutions and obtain support from a mentor or guide.
• Undergraduate teams must apply through an E-Cell, Institutional Innovation Council or incubation centre.
• For the postgraduate route, the applicant must have completed a master’s degree in a science field and generally apply within three years of completion.
• For the postdoctoral route, the applicant must have completed a PhD in a science field and generally apply within two years of completion.
• Female postgraduate and postdoctoral applicants are exempt from the degree-completion time limits.
• Innovation Fellows must work full-time and cannot pursue a postgraduate degree or PhD during the fellowship.
• OCI and PIO cardholders are not eligible.

• Undergraduate teams receive a ₹2.5 lakh annual research grant for 12 months.
• Each undergraduate team member receives a ₹7,500 quarterly stipend.
• Postgraduate fellows receive ₹30,000 per month plus a ₹3 lakh annual research grant.
• Postdoctoral fellows receive ₹50,000 per month plus a ₹5 lakh annual research grant.
• Innovation Fellowships run for 18 months, with a possible six-month extension in deserving cases.
• Access to pre-incubation infrastructure, technical and business mentoring, IP and legal support, regulatory advice, networking and fundraising assistance.
• Intellectual property generated through the fellowship remains with the innovators.

• Applications undergo eligibility screening and technical review through E-YUVA Centres and knowledge partners.
• Shortlisted applicants or teams present before a technical expert committee containing a BIRAC nominee.
• Selected applicants enter into a fellowship agreement with their assigned E-YUVA Centre.