The Union Ministry of Science & Technology has initiated a novel scheme VAJRA (Visiting Advanced Joint Research). It is a faculty scheme of Science & Engineering Research Board that allows foreign-based scientists to contribute to the Indian growth by working part-time in Indian laboratories and academic institutions.

While launching the VAJRA portal, Dr Harsh Vardhan, Union Minister of Science & Technology said, “The portal VAJRA will not only help India to boost the global ranking of Indian institutions but also draw the best of research personnel to the country. India has a scientific collaboration with as many as 80 countries”

“The foreign faculty members selected under the scheme would reside in India up to three months in a year and would be provided a lump sum amount of 15,000 dollars in the first month of residence and US 10,000 per month for the second and third month”, he added

Under the scheme, the Ministry plans to invite top foreign scientists, including persons of Indian origin, to spend up to three months in Indian institutions. The area of research to be undertaken by visiting faculty members under the scheme would have to be at the cutting edge of science and technology and also be of relevance to India.