India’s Research Boom: Fresh Calls Spark Innovation Across Sectors

India‘s academic and research ecosystem is witnessing a surge in funding and fellowship opportunities across social work, STEM, heritage science, and startup innovation. From targeted fellowships for MSW graduates to multilateral research grants and pandemic preparedness funding, institutions at home and abroad are inviting applications that promise to accelerate breakthroughs and career development.

Key Takeaways

SMART India Young Social Work Fellowship offers hands-on field experience for MSW students with a ₹15,000 stipend.
University of Hyderabad’s R&D Cell has issued over 30 calls for proposals, covering quantum research, marine pollution, biomanufacturing and more.
The Pandemic Fund’s 3rd Call for Proposals opens US$500 million for disease surveillance, labs and workforce capacity, closing June 6, 2025.
Innovation Voucher Program grants up to ₹500,000 to Tamil Nadu MSMEs and startups for prototyping and market entry.

Fellowship And Academic Development

The SMART India Young Social Work Fellowship 2025 invites MSW students graduating this year to engage in a three-month placement in underserved communities. Fellows receive a consolidated stipend of ₹15,000 and mentorship in program design, data collection, and impact assessment. Applications close May 25, 2025.

Beyond social work, global scholarships and fellowships are also open:

Charles Wallace India Trust Visiting Fellowships for arts and heritage professionals.
Rhodes Scholarship (India) for postgraduate study at Oxford.
MEXT Embassy Recommendation Scholarship 2026 for research in Japan.

National Research And Development Calls

The University of Hyderabad’s Research & Development Cell has published numerous R&D calls spanning government and bilateral initiatives. A selection is shown below:

Program	Focus Area	Deadline
National Post Doctoral Fellowship (NPDF)	Post-doctoral research	June 1–30, 2025
EU-India Waste to Renewable Hydrogen	Energy technology	May 30–Sep 2, 2025
Indo-German Science & Technology Centre (SING)	Collaborative R&D	May 30, 2025–May 30, 2026
DBT-BIRAC mRNA Therapeutics	Biotherapeutics	Apr 11–May 31, 2025
Women In Science And Engineering (WISE-SCOPE)	Societal challenges	Mar 20–Aug 31, 2025

Additional calls cover quantum missions, marine pollution impact studies, steel sector CCU technologies, and ASEAN-India innovation platforms.

Global Health And Pandemic Preparedness Funding

The Pandemic Fund’s third Call for Proposals (Phase I) opened March 26, 2025, with a US$500 million envelope. It prioritizes:

Early warning and disease surveillance systems
Laboratory systems for human and animal health
Strengthening public health workforce capacity

Phase I accepts single-country and multi-country applications in partnership with approved Implementing Entities. The online portal closes June 6, 2025 (23:59 ET). Review and selection will continue through November 2025.

Innovation Support For Startups And MSMEs

The Innovation Voucher Program, led by the Entrepreneurship Development and Innovation Institute (EDII TN) and Vel Tech TBI, provides direct grants to Tamil Nadu-based manufacturing MSMEs and startups:

Voucher A: Up to ₹200,000 for prototype development
Voucher B: Up to ₹500,000 for market entry and commercialization

Eligibility requires a minimum CIBIL score of 750 and co-financing per program norms. Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis.

Next Steps And Application Tips

Review eligibility criteria and prepare a clear problem statement.
Align proposals with program priorities and thematic guidelines.
Leverage institutional support for budgeting and project design.
Submit well before deadlines to allow for revisions.

With a wealth of funding streams now open, researchers, students, and innovators across India have unprecedented opportunities to secure support and advance their work.