The following are the objectives of the scheme: To build national capacity in frontier areas of Science and Engineering, which are of interest to India by providing research training to PhD students admitted in Indian institutions in overseas universities/institutions of repute. To provide an opportunity for performing Indian research students to gain exposure and access to top-class research facilities in academia and labs in specific Overseas Universities. To create opportunities to build long-term R&D linkages and collaborations with accomplished scientists and technologists from around the world. To tap the expertise gained by these young scientists to strengthen/ initiate national programmes in their domain knowledge.

Science and Engineering Research Board, Government of India

The scheme is open to Indian nationals only. The applicant should have registered for full-time Ph.D. Degree in any of the recognized Institutions / Universities in India in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (including Medicine, Pharma, Agriculture and related S&T areas) disciplines. Part-time and sponsored students are not considered under the Program. Also students who have submitted their thesis for award of the Degree of Ph.D. are not eligible to apply.

All areas of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (including Medicine, Pharma, Agriculture and related S&T areas) disciplines will be covered by this fellowship.

The selected fellows will be paid a monthly fellowship amount equivalent to US $ 2000, one-time Contingency/Preparatory allowances of ₹60,000/- to cover visa fee, airport transfer charges, medical insurance etc. The selected fellows will also be provided shortest route economy class air fare from their place of work in India to the place of the host institute and back. Students should make their own arrangement for accommodation etc.

For supervisors who are in regular employment, rules governing payment of salary, leave, medical, gratuity, GPF and pension etc. of the organization/ institution/ university to which the fellow belongs would continue to be applicable. No liability on any of these accounts will be borne by SERB.

The application for consideration under the Overseas Visiting Doctoral Fellowship Program (OVDF) can be submitted only when the call for application is made by Purdue University, West Lafayette, USA and University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada.

The selected fellows while taking up the SERB overseas fellowship should not draw their regular research fellowship in India.

The candidates selected for the award of the fellowship should commence their research in the overseas institution as per the letter of offer given by Purdue University, West Lafayette, USA and University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada.

The exchange visit of the supervisors should be during the tenure of the Ph.D. work of the applicant. Both supervisors should ensure a residency period of at least two weeks and not exceeding 30 days in their respective foreign institutes.