How to apply for the AMS-DBT Newton International Fellowship Scheme 2020


Are you interested in post-doctoral research and looking for a fellowship? If yes, then Academy of Medical Sciences (AMS) and Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Government of India is calling applications for AMS-DBT Newton International Fellowship Scheme 2020. Interested and eligible candidates can learn all the details in this article.

About the Scheme

The Newton International Fellowship Scheme was started by the Academy of Medical Sciences (AMS) in collaboration with the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Government of India to provide research opportunities to doctoral students. This scheme is for early career researchers, who want to pursue their post-doctoral research at UK based research institutions. The unique feature of this fellowship programme is that candidates will work and receive funding at UK research institute for first two years and thereafter DBT will provide funding to them to continue their research in India in an eligible research institution. The post-doctoral research scheme or the Newton International Fellowship scheme has the main aim to develop the best young researchers from around the world who are in an early career stage by giving training at UK research institutions for two years and thereafter outside the UK. The scheme will also cultivate long term relationship between the post-doctoral fellow and the UK research institution through the alumni programme for former fellows of this scheme.

Subjects Included

  • Clinical Sciences including clinical and patient-orientated research and other intervention studies on human participants involving surgery, the administration of a drug, or a public health/preventative nature will be considered.
  • The study can be done at the individual level or group level.
  • Human participants may include in-vitro experiments like the use of human tissue or other biological samples, chemistry techniques, mathematical modelling or engineering, translational research and collaborative research with clinicians.


Countries Involved

The Academy has established a partnership with the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), India. Under this fellowship programme, UK Research institutes and Indian research institutes will be covered.

Duration of the Fellowship

The fellowship will have a total duration of 3 years (36 months) out of which the researcher will have to spend two years at a UK research institute and the third year at an Indian Institute.

Value of the Award

For the first 2 years or 24 months, the fellowship will be provided by the Academy of Medical Sciences (AMS) on a full-time basis. Thereafter, in the 3rd year, Department of Biotechnology (DBT) will fund for 12 months when the fellows return to India.

Funding by the Academy of Medical Sciences (AMS) will include: For the first two years.
  • Subsistence Costs: £24,000 per annum will be provided that will be tax exempted.
  • Costs for Consumables: Up to £8,000 per annum will be paid.
  • Relocation Costs: Up to £2,000 will be paid for relocation expenses in the first year and one time only.
  • Contribution to UK Host Institution: A contribution cost equal to fifty per cent of the total fellowship amount will also be granted to the UK host institution to enable it to host a Fellowship.

Funding by DBT will consist of: For 3rd year
  • Subsistence Costs: INR 67,000 per month plus House Rent Allowance
  • Consumable Grant: of INR 2,00,000
  • Support to Home Institution: A total of INR 50,000 will be provided to the home institution for covering access to resources, facilities and infrastructure by the fellow.
  • Contingency Grant: INR 30,000
  • Travel Grant: A travel grant of INR 50,000 will be paid to the fellow for attending domestic conferences, seminars, workshops etc.

Note: A travel grant of INR 100,000 will also be provided in the first two years of fellowship by DBT to the fellow to visit India to attend training/evaluation/workshops organised by the DBT.

The award letters will be issued by both the AMS and DBT to the awardees in which their financial support and responsibilities will be mentioned.

Eligibility Requirement

  1. The applicants who hold a higher research degree like a PhD or MD, or about to obtain a degree by the time of start of fellowship, are eligible to apply.
  2. The applicants should have no more than four years of active full-time postdoctoral experience at the time of application.
  3. If any candidate has any break in their career, they will not be considered. But if the candidate is having any teaching or industry experience during that period, they will be eligible to apply.
  4. Applicants must not be a UK citizen and should be working outside of the UK at the point of application.
  5. Indian researchers are eligible to apply.
  6. Applicants will have to prepare a detailed interdependent research proposal and must involve an UK or an Indian co-applicant.
  7. Central/state government-funded Indian institutes/universities can apply. Besides, not-for-profit research organizations will also be eligible.

Application Procedure

In this scheme, applications are submitted through the online grant application system of the Academy of Medical Sciences. Besides, key information required by the DBT will also be taken in a proforma.

Theofficial notification can be seen at the website of DBT. The application proforma can be downloaded from the DBT website.

Feedback: With the release of the funding decisions, the applicants will also receive written feedback from peer reviewers.
Important Note: All the UK Host Organizations, UK applicants and co-applicants must read the UK Host institution principles guidance document from the official website of the scheme.

Important Dates

The Last Date: 03 September 2020, 3 pm UK time.
Commencement of Fellowship: Start date of the Fellowship. All awardees would be expected to start their fellowship from March 2021.

Contact Information

Department of Biotechnology
6th-8th Floor, Block 2
CGO Complex, Lodhi Road
New Delhi - 110 003.India
Website: www.dbtindia.gov.in

Enquires about this scheme:
For enquiries regarding first 2 years award: newtoninternational@acmedsci.ac.uk.
For enquiries regarding the third year of award: icone@dbt.nic.in.


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