The ANRF J.C. Bose Grant 2026 is one of India's prestigious research funding programmes for accomplished senior scientists and engineers.

It is administered by the Anusandhan National Research Foundation, or ANRF.

The programme recognises researchers with a strong record of scientific achievement and provides substantial funding for advanced research.

For the 2026 cycle, eligible scientists could receive:

• ₹25 lakh per year as a research grant
• ₹1 lakh per year as institutional overhead
• Funding for five years

That means the core research grant can reach:

₹1.25 crore over five years

before adding institutional overheads.

The 2026 programme is different from the older J.C. Bose National Fellowship.

Under the older fellowship, recipients received:

• ₹25,000 per month personal fellowship
• ₹15 lakh per year research grant
• ₹1 lakh per year institutional overhead

The new ANRF J.C. Bose Grant removes the personal ₹25,000 monthly fellowship and instead increases the research grant to ₹25 lakh annually.

The 2026 call was aimed at senior researchers aged 45 to 65 years working in recognised Indian institutions.

Unlike the older framework, Overseas Citizens of India, or OCIs, can also be eligible under the new grant, subject to ANRF rules.

The deadline for the 2026 call was:

February 10, 2026.

Therefore, the 2026 application cycle is now closed.

However, the programme is expected to operate through periodic annual calls.

Researchers who missed the 2026 cycle should therefore understand the requirements and prepare for future nominations.

What Is the ANRF J.C. Bose Grant?

The ANRF J.C. Bose Grant is a highly selective research grant created to recognise outstanding senior scientists and engineers working in India.

ANRF describes it as an individual-specific award.

It is not simply a normal open research project grant.

The programme is designed for researchers who already have a substantial record of scientific accomplishment.

That record may include:

• High-quality publications
• Patents
• Technology transfer
• Major research outcomes
• Scientific awards
• Competitive grants
• Significant contributions to science and engineering

ANRF says the grant is intended to encourage senior-level researchers to pursue advanced research in frontline areas.

Who Administers the J.C. Bose Grant?

The programme is administered by the:

Anusandhan National Research Foundation

ANRF is India's national research funding organisation established to strengthen research and innovation across universities, research institutions and related organisations.

The new J.C. Bose Grant operates through the ANRF online grant-management system.

Is the J.C. Bose Grant the Same as the J.C. Bose Fellowship?

No.

This distinction is very important in 2026.

The older scheme was known as the:

J.C. Bose National Fellowship

The newer programme is called the:

ANRF J.C. Bose Grant

The ANRF website still contains information about the older fellowship, which can create confusion.

The legacy fellowship offered:

• ₹25,000 per month personal fellowship
• ₹15 lakh annual research grant
• ₹1 lakh annual overhead
• Five-year tenure

The newer ANRF grant provides:

• ₹25 lakh annual research grant
• ₹1 lakh annual institutional overhead
• Five-year tenure

There is no separate ₹25,000 monthly personal fellowship stated under the new J.C. Bose Grant.

J.C. Bose Fellowship vs J.C. Bose Grant

Feature	Older J.C. Bose Fellowship	New ANRF J.C. Bose Grant
Personal Fellowship	₹25,000/month	Not provided
Research Grant	₹15 lakh/year	₹25 lakh/year
Institutional Overhead	₹1 lakh/year	₹1 lakh/year
Initial Duration	5 years	5 years
Age Framework	Up to 68 years	Application age 45–65
Indian Nationals	Yes	Yes
OCI Eligibility	Not under old standard rule	Yes, subject to ANRF norms
Selection Frequency	Normally twice yearly	Once yearly
Submission	Nominations throughout year	Call-based nomination
2026 Deadline	Not applicable to legacy framework	February 10, 2026

The newer grant therefore represents a significant restructuring of the programme.

Objective of the ANRF J.C. Bose Grant 2026

The main objective is to recognise and support senior scientists and engineers with exceptional research performance.

ANRF wants the grant to help established researchers continue pursuing ambitious research in advanced and emerging fields.

The programme is therefore not mainly designed for:

• Early-career researchers
• New PhD graduates
• Postdoctoral researchers
• Scientists with limited independent research experience

It targets researchers who already have a strong national or international record.

What Fields Are Covered?

The programme covers a very broad range of research fields.

ANRF states that the J.C. Bose Grant covers all areas of science and technology in the broadest terms.

This includes fields such as:

• Physics
• Chemistry
• Mathematics
• Biology
• Engineering
• Agriculture
• Medicine
• Earth sciences
• Environmental science
• Computer science
• Materials science
• Biotechnology
• Emerging technologies

The new scheme also includes:

Humanities and Social Sciences at the interface of Science and Technology.

That is an important expansion compared with how the older fellowship was usually described.

Can Humanities Researchers Apply?

Potentially, yes.

But not simply because they work in the humanities.

The work must fall within humanities or social sciences at the interface with science and technology.

Possible examples could include research on:

• Technology policy
• Science policy
• AI governance
• Digital society
• Technology and development
• Innovation systems
• Economics of science
• Social impacts of emerging technology

Eligibility ultimately depends on how the proposal fits ANRF's scope.

ANRF J.C. Bose Grant 2026 Eligibility

The eligibility requirements changed significantly under the new programme.

Applicants need to satisfy several conditions.

1. Applicant Must Be an Active Senior Scientist or Engineer

The applicant should have an outstanding record of research performance.

ANRF lists examples of evidence such as:

• Publications
• Research outcomes
• Patents
• Technology transfers
• Awards
• Grants

This means applicants are evaluated on demonstrated research achievement rather than simply years of service.

2. Applicant Must Hold a Regular Position

The applicant must hold a:

Regular academic or research position

in a recognised academic or research institution in India at the time of application.

This can include senior researchers working in:

• Universities
• IITs
• IISERs
• National laboratories
• Research institutes
• Other recognised scientific institutions

3. Age Requirement

Applicants must be between:

45 and 65 years old

at the time of submission.

This is one of the biggest differences from the older J.C. Bose Fellowship.

The earlier fellowship mainly referred to an upper age limit for availing the fellowship.

The new grant has a clear application age band.

4. Nationality Requirement

Applicants may be:

• Indian nationals
• Overseas Citizens of India, or OCI

They must be working in institutions or universities in India.

OCI applicants must also comply with ANRF's separate rules governing OCI participation in grants.

5. Sufficient Remaining Service

The applicant should have sufficient residual official service in India.

ANRF specifies:

Project duration + one year

of residual service.

Since the J.C. Bose Grant runs for five years, this normally means sufficient official service to support the required project period plus the additional year specified under the programme conditions.

However, the programme also provides a mechanism for continuation after superannuation in certain circumstances.

Can the Grant Continue After Retirement?

Yes.

ANRF allows the J.C. Bose Grant to continue after superannuation if a host institution agrees to continue hosting the Principal Investigator.

The institution must provide:

• Research infrastructure
• Administrative support
• Institutional support required to operate the grant

 

Therefore, retirement during the grant period does not necessarily cause automatic termination.

Can an Existing J.C. Bose Fellow Apply?

Yes, in certain circumstances.

Researchers with an ongoing:

• J.C. Bose Fellowship
• J.C. Bose Grant

can apply if their current fellowship or grant is scheduled to end within six months from the submission date of the new proposal.

This allows some continuity between the older fellowship system and the newer ANRF grant.

Three-Term Limit

ANRF places an important restriction on repeat recipients.

Applicants who have already completed:

Three terms

as a J.C. Bose Fellow or J.C. Bose Grantee are not eligible to apply again.

That means researchers cannot continue receiving the programme indefinitely.

Nature of Support

The major financial support under the 2026 J.C. Bose Grant is:

₹25 lakh per year.

This is provided as a research grant.

The money is divided into two broad budget categories.

Recurring Head

Recurring expenses may cover:

• Manpower
• Consumables
• Travel
• Contingency
• Other research costs

Non-Recurring Head

This mainly covers equipment.

However, equipment expenditure can account for no more than:

20% of the total research grant.

That rule is important when preparing the budget.

A researcher cannot simply allocate most of the J.C. Bose Grant to equipment.

Institutional Overhead

The host institution receives:

₹1 lakh per year

as a fixed institutional overhead.

Total Research Funding Over Five Years

The main research grant can total:

₹25 lakh × 5 years = ₹1.25 crore

The host institution can additionally receive:

₹1 lakh × 5 years = ₹5 lakh

in institutional overhead.

Therefore, total programme support can amount to approximately:

₹1.30 crore over five years

if the full five-year grant is implemented.

The ₹5 lakh institutional overhead belongs to the host institution rather than functioning as additional personal research money for the investigator.

Is There a Personal Fellowship Amount?

Not under the new J.C. Bose Grant structure.

This is another important difference from the legacy scheme.

The older J.C. Bose National Fellowship provided:

₹25,000 per month in addition to regular income.

Under the newer ANRF J.C. Bose Grant, the official 2026 programme instead describes:

• ₹25 lakh annual research grant
• ₹1 lakh annual institutional overhead

There is no separate monthly ₹25,000 personal fellowship specified.

Therefore, websites that continue to describe the 2026 opportunity solely as a ₹25,000-per-month fellowship are relying on the older scheme.

Duration of the J.C. Bose Grant

The grant is awarded for:

Five years.

This gives researchers enough time to undertake substantial long-term work rather than short pilot studies.

Is the New J.C. Bose Grant Renewable?

The current 2026 J.C. Bose Grant description does not use the same automatic extension structure as the older fellowship.

Instead, the grant operates through new call cycles.

Existing fellows or grantees may apply again where eligible, including when their current term is due to end within six months.

However, the three-term maximum continues to apply.

Can a J.C. Bose Grantee Hold Other ANRF Grants?

Yes.

Under the new framework, holding a J.C. Bose Grant does not automatically prevent the researcher from applying for other ANRF research grants.

ANRF states that a J.C. Bose grantee may apply for other ANRF programmes, provided:

• The researcher satisfies the conditions of the other programme
• The application complies with ANRF's funding policy

 

This differs from schemes that restrict researchers from holding multiple grants simultaneously.

Can J.C. Bose Grant and Advanced Research Grant Be Held Together?

ANRF's current guidance indicates that J.C. Bose funding and other eligible research grants can potentially operate simultaneously, subject to the relevant programme conditions and funding policy.

Are Co-Principal Investigators Allowed?

No.

The ANRF J.C. Bose Grant is individual-specific.

ANRF states that:

There is no provision for a Co-PI under the J.C. Bose Grant scheme.

The proposal therefore centres on the nominated senior researcher.

Who Can Nominate a Scientist?

Applicants do not simply nominate themselves independently.

The nomination can be submitted by:

• Heads of Institutions
• Heads of Universities
• Presidents of National Science Academies

 

This is slightly different from the older fellowship.

Under the legacy J.C. Bose Fellowship, nominations could also be submitted by existing J.C. Bose Fellows.

Under the new grant, ANRF lists Heads of Institutions/Universities and Presidents of National Science Academies as nominators.

How to Apply for the ANRF J.C. Bose Grant

The application is completed through the ANRF online portal.

The process involves both the nominee and the nominator.

Step 1: Wait for the Official Call

Unlike the old fellowship, nominations are no longer described as continuously open throughout the year.

ANRF announces a specific call for nominations.

Therefore, applicants should monitor the official ANRF website and portal.

Step 2: Register on the ANRF Portal

The nominee must register on:

ANRF Online

The official portal is used for proposal submission and grant management.

Step 3: Complete the Nomination Form

The nominee enters the required information.

This includes information on:

• Academic background
• Research experience
• Employment
• Research achievements
• Proposed research
• Nominator

Step 4: Enter Nominator Details

The nominee identifies the eligible nominator.

ANRF then connects the nomination process to that individual.

Step 5: Send the Application to the Nominator

Once the nominee completes the required information, they select:

Send to Nominator

The nominator receives an email containing a link to review the nomination through the ANRF portal.

Step 6: Nominator Reviews the Application

The nominator has two main options.

They can:

• Submit the nomination to ANRF
• Return it to the nominee for revision

This gives the nominator an opportunity to correct or strengthen the submission before final filing.

Step 7: Final Submission

The nomination is considered complete only when the nominator submits it through the ANRF portal.

ANRF specifically advises that nominations should preferably be submitted approximately one week before the deadline rather than waiting until the final day.

Both the nominee and nominator receive confirmation after successful submission.

What Documents Are Required?

ANRF requires technical and nomination-related documents through the online system.

The 2026 scheme includes an:

Other Technical Details, or OTD, template

that must be completed as part of the application package.

Applicants should always download the current template from ANRF rather than using an old SERB document.

This is especially important because the programme structure changed.

What Should the Research Proposal Demonstrate?

The J.C. Bose Grant is designed for highly accomplished researchers.

Therefore, simply proposing routine laboratory work is unlikely to be competitive.

The application should demonstrate:

• Scientific significance
• Originality
• Research leadership
• Feasibility
• Frontline relevance
• Expected research outputs
• Strong track record

The research should logically build on the nominee's expertise while advancing into important areas.

Research Track Record Matters

ANRF explicitly refers to indicators such as:

• Publications
• Patents
• Technology transfer
• Research outcomes
• Awards
• Grants

 

This means applicants should present achievements clearly.

Do not merely provide a long publication list.

Highlight the most important contributions and explain their significance.

How Are J.C. Bose Grantees Selected?

Selection is made by a specially constituted:

Search-cum-Selection Committee.

The committee consists of technical experts and evaluates nominees according to the programme guidelines.

Under the current grant model, selection is conducted:

Once a year.

This is another difference from the legacy fellowship, where selections were normally made twice annually.

How Competitive Is the J.C. Bose Grant?

Very competitive.

ANRF describes the programme as:

• Prestigious
• Individual-specific
• Highly selective

It is aimed at researchers who have already demonstrated exceptional achievement.

This is therefore not an entry-level research grant.

A strong nominee would typically have substantial evidence of national or international research leadership.

Do You Need a Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize?

Not necessarily under the new grant.

This is another major change.

The older fellowship guidance stated that outstanding performance could be apparent through achievements such as:

• Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize
• Fellowship of national science academies

 

The newer ANRF J.C. Bose Grant uses broader indicators.

These include:

• Publications
• Research outcomes
• Patents
• Technology transfers
• Awards
• Grants

 

Therefore, the S.S. Bhatnagar Prize is no longer presented as the defining benchmark.

A researcher can demonstrate excellence through a wider body of evidence.

2026 Application Deadline

The official ANRF deadline for the 2026 cycle was:

February 10, 2026.

This date is important because some third-party websites listed an earlier January 15, 2026 deadline.

For example, the India Science, Technology & Innovation portal displayed January 15.

However, ANRF's official current call documentation states:

February 10, 2026.

For deadline conflicts, applicants should always follow the primary ANRF source.

Is the ANRF J.C. Bose Grant 2026 Still Open?

No.

As of September 13, 2026, the 2026 nomination deadline has passed.

The call closed on:

February 10, 2026.

Researchers interested in the programme should monitor ANRF for the next call.

Because the current framework says selection is conducted once each year, future applicants should begin preparing before the next nomination window opens.

2026 J.C. Bose Grant Results

The 2026 selection process has already produced awardees.

For example, in August 2026, six IIT Madras faculty members were reported as having received the ANRF J.C. Bose Grant.

They represented fields including:

• Engineering
• Biomedical technologies
• Nanomaterials
• Optical communications
• Carbon capture
• Chemistry

The awards provide ₹25 lakh annually for five years for research activities.

This confirms that the new ANRF grant structure is actively being implemented in 2026.

What Happens After Selection?

Successful researchers receive an approval letter from ANRF.

The awardee then needs to acknowledge the offer and provide the required documentation.

ANRF subsequently processes the award and issues a formal:

Sanction Order

to the host institution.

The official start date of the grant is linked to the receipt of the first financial assignment by the host institution.

How Are Subsequent Annual Grants Released?

Funding is not simply transferred automatically for five years.

For later years, the grantee must submit required financial and progress documentation.

This includes:

• Statement of Expenditure
• Utilization Certificate
• Progress Report

These are submitted through the ANRF online portal.

Financial reporting follows the Indian financial year:

April 1 to March 31.

For the first year, reporting runs from the official project start date to March 31.

Can the Host Institution Be Changed?

Yes.

A J.C. Bose grantee may transfer the project to another eligible host institution.

However, ANRF approval and documentation are required.

The researcher generally needs:

• No Objection Certificate from old institution
• No Objection Certificate from new institution
• Final financial papers
• Details of unspent grant
• Endorsement from new institution
• Appointment or offer letter

 

The researcher should inform ANRF well before moving.

Can a Scientist on Deputation Apply?

Yes.

ANRF's FAQ confirms that a Principal Investigator on deputation from a parent institution may receive the J.C. Bose Grant at the new institution, subject to programme requirements.

ANRF J.C. Bose Grant 2026: Key Facts

Item	Details
Programme	ANRF J.C. Bose Grant
Funding Agency	Anusandhan National Research Foundation
Country	India
Target Group	Senior scientists and engineers
Age	45–65 years
Nationality	Indian nationals and eligible OCI researchers
Employment	Regular academic/research position in India
Research Areas	All science and technology fields
Humanities/Social Sciences	Eligible at science and technology interface
Annual Research Grant	₹25 lakh
Equipment Limit	Up to 20% of total grant
Institutional Overhead	₹1 lakh/year
Personal Fellowship	None under new grant
Duration	5 years
Co-PI	Not permitted
Selection	Once annually
Nominators	Heads of Institutions/Universities and Presidents of National Science Academies
Application	ANRF online portal
2026 Deadline	February 10, 2026
2026 Status	Closed

 

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the ANRF J.C. Bose Grant?

It is a prestigious five-year research grant for outstanding senior scientists and engineers working in Indian institutions.

It recognises researchers with exceptional records and provides funding for advanced research.

How much funding does the J.C. Bose Grant provide?

The grant provides:

₹25 lakh per year for research

plus:

₹1 lakh per year in institutional overheads.

How much is that over five years?

The research component can total:

₹1.25 crore.

Including the ₹5 lakh institutional overhead over five years, total support can reach approximately:

₹1.30 crore.

Does the new J.C. Bose Grant pay ₹25,000 per month?

No.

The ₹25,000 monthly payment belongs to the older J.C. Bose Fellowship structure.

The new ANRF J.C. Bose Grant provides ₹25 lakh annually for research rather than a separate personal monthly fellowship.

What is the age requirement?

Applicants must be between 45 and 65 years old at the time of submission.

Can OCI scientists apply?

Yes.

Overseas Citizens of India working in eligible Indian institutions may apply, subject to ANRF's OCI rules.

Can foreign nationals apply?

The programme specifically refers to Indian nationals and eligible OCI researchers.

Foreign nationals who do not fall into those categories should not assume eligibility.

Is the J.C. Bose Grant open to all scientific fields?

Yes.

It broadly covers science and technology, including:

• Engineering
• Agriculture
• Medicine

and humanities and social sciences where the research interfaces with science and technology.

Is a PhD required?

The programme is designed for senior scientists and engineers holding established research positions.

ANRF's primary eligibility language focuses on senior research status, achievements and institutional appointment rather than presenting the scheme as a conventional student fellowship.

Can early-career researchers apply?

Generally, no.

The age band starts at 45 years and the programme targets senior researchers with substantial records of achievement.

Is the S.S. Bhatnagar Prize compulsory?

The new 2026 scheme does not state that the prize is mandatory.

Research excellence can be demonstrated through publications, patents, technology transfers, awards, grants and important research outcomes.

Is a science academy fellowship compulsory?

Not under the current wording.

The new grant evaluates a broader range of achievements.

Can a researcher apply directly?

The application involves a nomination process.

The nominee completes the application and sends it electronically to an eligible nominator, who submits the nomination to ANRF.

Who can nominate a researcher?

The new programme lists:

• Heads of Institutions/Universities
• Presidents of National Science Academies

 

Can an existing J.C. Bose Fellow nominate someone?

That was allowed under the old fellowship.

The new grant's published nomination rules specifically list institutional/university heads and Presidents of National Science Academies.

Are Co-PIs allowed?

No.

There is no Co-PI provision under the ANRF J.C. Bose Grant.

Can the grant continue after retirement?

Yes, if an eligible host institution is willing to continue hosting the researcher and provide the required infrastructure and administrative support.

Can a researcher hold another ANRF grant?

Yes, potentially.

The J.C. Bose Grant does not automatically prohibit other ANRF grants, subject to the rules of the other programme and ANRF funding policy.

How long does the grant last?

Five years.

What was the 2026 deadline?

The official deadline was:

February 10, 2026.

Is the 2026 application still open?

No.

The 2026 nomination period has closed.

How often are selections made?

Under the new J.C. Bose Grant, selection is normally conducted once per year.

Final Takeaway

The ANRF J.C. Bose Grant 2026 represents a major update to India's prestigious J.C. Bose research-support programme.

The older J.C. Bose National Fellowship recognised outstanding scientists through a combination of:

• ₹25,000 monthly personal fellowship
• ₹15 lakh annual research grant
• ₹1 lakh institutional overhead

That older information is still visible on ANRF's website and is the basis of the details commonly reproduced online.

However, researchers interested in the 2026 cycle need to follow the newer ANRF J.C. Bose Grant rules.

The new grant provides:

₹25 lakh per year for research

plus:

₹1 lakh annually for institutional overheads

for a period of:

Five years.

That represents up to ₹1.25 crore in direct research funding over the full five-year period.

The new programme also changes eligibility.

Applicants must generally be:

• Active senior scientists or engineers
• Aged 45–65
• Holding regular positions in recognised Indian research or academic institutions
• Indian nationals or eligible OCI researchers
• Able to demonstrate exceptional research performance

Research excellence can be shown through publications, patents, technology transfer, important research outcomes, awards and competitive grants.

This means applicants no longer need to interpret the older requirement around the S.S. Bhatnagar Prize or academy fellowship as the only routes for demonstrating excellence.

The nomination system has also changed.

Applications are now linked to announced calls rather than remaining continuously open throughout the year.

For the 2026 cycle, nominations had to be submitted through the ANRF online portal by:

February 10, 2026.

The call is therefore closed as of September 2026.

The programme is already producing 2026 awardees.

In August, six IIT Madras researchers were reported among the scientists selected under the new ANRF J.C. Bose Grant, receiving ₹25 lakh annually for five years to pursue advanced scientific and engineering research.

For researchers who missed the 2026 cycle, the best approach is to prepare for the next ANRF call.

Build a clear record of research leadership.

Highlight major publications and research outcomes.

Document patents and technology transfers.

Demonstrate the importance of your work.

Develop an ambitious but feasible five-year research direction.

And, importantly, identify an eligible institutional or academy nominator early.

The J.C. Bose Grant is not intended simply to finance another research project.

It is designed to recognise scientists who have already demonstrated sustained excellence and give them the resources to pursue their next major research contributions.