The Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) has opened applications for the Prime Minister’s Early Career Research Grant (PM ECRG) 2026. The scheme aims to support early-career Indian researchers in undertaking research projects.
Eligible researchers can apply for research funding of up to ₹60 lakh for a period of three years.
An applicant can submit only one proposal during a particular call. The last date to submit the online application is 02 December 2026.
ANRF plans to award a maximum of 700 grants every year across all subject areas.
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Prime Minister Early Career Research Grant 2026: Overview
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Grant Name | Prime Minister’s Early Career Research Grant (PM ECRG) |
| Funding Agency | Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) |
| Country | India |
| Maximum Grant | ₹60 lakh plus overheads |
| Project Duration | 3 years |
| Maximum Grants | 700 per year |
| Eligible Disciplines | All subject areas |
| Application Mode | Online |
| Selection Process | Expert Committee |
| Last Date | 02 December 2026 (5:00 PM) |
Eligibility Criteria
Researchers interested in applying for the Prime Minister’s Early Career Research Grant must fulfil the following eligibility conditions:
- The applicant should be an Indian citizen.
- The applicant must hold a PhD degree in Science or Engineering, or an MD/MS/MDS/MVSc degree.
- The applicant must hold a regular academic or research position in a recognised academic institution, national laboratory or other recognised R&D institution.
- Applicants are eligible to apply within two years of joining their current institution.
- The upper age limit is 42 years. A relaxation of three years is available for SC/ST/OBC/Persons with Disabilities and women candidates.
How to Apply for Prime Minister Early Career Research Grant 2026?
Interested and eligible researchers must submit their applications online through the ANRF portal.
Steps:
Step 1: Visit the official ANRF online portal: https://anrfonline.in/ANRF/HomePage.
Step 2: Log in to the ANRF online portal.
Step 3: After logging in, complete all mandatory details under the User Profile section, including biodata, photograph, and institutional address.
Step 4: Fill in the required proposal information, including:
- Project Title (maximum 500 characters)
- Project Summary (maximum 3,000 characters)
- Keywords (maximum 6)
- Objectives of the Project (maximum 1,500 characters)
- Expected Outputs and Outcomes (maximum 1,500 characters)
- Proposed Budget
Step 5: Upload the Technical Document containing the remaining relevant project information as a single PDF file not exceeding 10 MB.
Step 6: Upload all the required certificates and supporting documents.
Step 7: Review the application carefully and submit it through the online portal before the deadline.
Documents Required
The following documents are required:
- Biodata of the Principal Investigator
- Certificate from Principal Investigator
- Endorsement Letter from Head of Institution
- Age Proof Certificate
- Category Certificate
- Plagiarism Undertaking
- Technical Document
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Application Status | Open |
| Last Date for Submission | 02 December 2026 |
| Closing Time | 5:00 PM |
Official Notification: https://anrfonline.in/ANRF/ecrg_anrf?HomePage=New