India Impressively Starts Brain Gain 'Vaibhav' Scheme Reversing The Brain Drain

India Impressively Starts Brain Gain 'Vaibhav' Scheme by Reversing The Brain Drain [Credit-ThinkWithNiche]

India took a critical move and started the 'Vaibhav' brain gain scheme by reversing the brain drain. Nearly 75 Indian diaspora scientists may return and serve in different projects in India over the next three years. 

Under the government's new fellowship scheme, multiple science and technology projects would be worth around Rs. 80 crore. As per government sources, the first batch of 22 fellows has already been selected. These candidates are expected to join the institutes in April this year.

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Vaibhav Scheme By the Department of Science and Technology:

The Department of Science and Technology [DST] government of India has launched a scheme named Vaibhav. Under the Vaibhav scheme, the DST has already completed its first call for proposals and initiated the second call. 

According to Dr. Charu Aggrawal from the DST, the call is being made to all scientists of Indian origin engaged in active research in recognized institutes abroad. They should have at least five years to collaborate with a reputed institute/university, including the IITs in India.

Vaibhav Scheme By the Department of Science and Technology [Credit-Civilsdaily]

Scientists have to be required to spend 1-2 months manually for a maximum of three years. They will be provided a grant of Rs. 4 lakh per year [$4800]. Scientists may take leave to come and work in India briefly but must submit a consent letter from their parent institute.

The fellowship under the Vaibhav scheme will also cover their international travel from the parent institute to India once a year. They will get fully-furnished local accommodation for two months and Rs. 1 lakh/year for research expenditure in India. They will also get entitlements for their domestic travel to institutes within India.

Science and Technology Ministry will also provide financial support up to Rs. 5 lakh per year for three years to the institute for facilitating fellow scientists for research work. While scientists have to spend just two months in a year, the respected institute will have to complete the project within three years and will connect online for the rest of the year. 

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Priority Sectors Under the Vaibhav Scheme:

The scientists will be selected based on a research proposal to be submitted by the host institute to collaborate with. All the funds would be released to the respective institute, which will disburse it to the fellow.

However, the fellowship under the Vaibhav scheme is open for all areas under the departments of Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics as well as Medicine [STEMM]. Artificial Intelligence [AI], Machine Learning [ML], and Data Science will be among the priorities.

Dr. Charu Agrwal says,

"It is a good opportunity for our scientists working abroad to collaborate with their local counterparts......... value to both. The Indian diaspora has access to new innovations and futuristic technology.......share with the students here. It is like giving back to the country in a way and a win-win situation.....all."

Some areas are also being prioritized in line with the government's scientific missions launched recently. These are the National Quantum Mission, National Supercomputing Mission, Deep Ocean Mission, and the Plan to get the Indian diaspora to engage.

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Applications Submission Under the Vaibhav Scheme:

The DST Ministry has planned to shortlist as many as 75 scientists from countries across the globe based on their research proposals that will also benefit Indian research. The first call was made last year, of which, 302 proposals were received. 22 candidates have been selected across 18 different verticals.

Applications Submission Under the Vaibhav Scheme [Credit-Indoeuropean. eu]

The second call was made this January and will end by March 15 after scrutiny of their applications. Scientists from the US, Sweden, Norway, Australia, Singapore, Japan, and the UK have applied extensively. The maximum number of scientists are from the US and Canada who are keen to engage with local institutes.

The process of proposals examination is conducted by an Expert Review Committee with members from different ministers including The Earth Sciences, New and Renewable Energy, Health, Electronics, and IT.

The fellowship under the Vaibhav Scheme is open to all Non-resident Indians [NRIs], persons of Indian Origin [POI], and Overseas Citizens of India [OCI] currently employed abroad.

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