Human Resource Development (HRD) Scheme

The Human Resource Development Scheme is run by the Department of Health Research , under the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India. The scheme was approved during the 12th Five Year Plan period and continues for the current years. The purpose of the scheme is to create a cadre of trained health-/medical-research personnel by providing fellowships, training, grants for infrastructure, and support to institutions so that advanced research can be undertaken in priority areas of health. You may benefit if your business is in the biotech/health-research / med-tech space and you wish to engage in or collaborate on research activities, or hire well-trained research personnel.

Key Features
Financial Assistance
Eligibility Criteria
Documents Required
Application Process for the Scheme

Key Features

Fellowships & scholarships for young researchers and faculty: The scheme provides short-term and long-term fellowships for medical students, doctors, scientists, women researchers, NRIs/PIOs returning to India to take up health-research.
Support for institutions to upgrade research infrastructure: Institutions can apply for grants under the scheme to upgrade labs, equipment, online teaching/learning facilities in health research.
Priority research areas in health/biomedical sciences: The scheme identifies priority fields such as genomics, proteomics, stem cell research, clinical trials, toxicology, public health/geriatric research, biotechnology etc.
Online proposal submission and competitive review: The scheme invites research proposals via an electronic portal, and evaluation is done by technical committees; successful proposals receive funding.
Special thrust for North-Eastern region and under-represented categories: The scheme issues specific calls for proposals from the North-East region and encourages participation of women scientists, NRIs/OCI returning etc

Financial Assistance

Component	Assistance Provided	Detailed Explanation & Example
Fellowship/Scholarship Grants	Funding for individuals	Example: A young researcher may receive a fellowship covering stipend + research support to perform a project in genomics under the scheme.
Institutional Infrastructure Grant	Grant-in-aid to institutions for upgrading labs, equipment, online teaching facilities	Example: A medical college applies for grant to upgrade its molecular biology lab—if approved, the institution receives funding to purchase equipment and set up infrastructure.
Research Project Grants	Grants for approved research projects in priority health areas	Example: A team proposes a clinical trial in geriatric health; under HRD scheme they may get research funding and support for duration of the project.

Eligibility Criteria

Who can apply:

Individuals: Medical college faculty, mid-career scientists, young researchers, women scientists, NRIs/PIOs eligible under scheme components.
Institutions: Recognised medical colleges, research institutes, universities eligible to apply for infrastructure grants or project grants.
Research proposals must relate to the priority health/biomedical areas specified by the scheme
For North-East region/under-represented categories: special invites/policy provisions apply.

Who can apply:

Proposal must fulfil scheme’s guidelines – incomplete proposals or non-compliance may be rejected.
Institutions/persons already receiving funding for similar purposes may be restricted based on scheme’s norms .
Projects involving human/animal subjects must have ethics committee approval

Documents Required

Application form/proposal
Curriculum vitae of applicant or institution profile
Detailed research plan / project description / budget estimate
Ethics committee approvals
Institutional affiliation letter / host institute certificate
Quotations for equipment
Bank account details of applicant/institution
Utilisation certificate format & previous project reports

Application Process for the Scheme

Option 1: Apply with Bullit

Click here to start with guided support. Our team verifies eligibility, compiles documents, and handles application & follow-ups on your behalf. You can monitor progress while focusing on operations.

Recommended for: candidates/institutions keen on minimising paperwork and securing timely support.

Option 2: Official Route

Visit the DHR website’s HRD Scheme page and download guidelines for the relevant component.
Register and submit your application through the e-PMS portal of DHR.
Upload all required documents .
The Technical / Project Approval Committee of DHR evaluates and approves the proposal; after sanction, funds are disbursed per component norms
Post-award, applicants/institutions must submit utilisation certificates, progress reports, completion reports as per guidelines.

Option 3: Via Institutional/Collaborative Route
If you are applying as part of a collaborative team , coordinate with your institution’s research office to apply on behalf of the institution under applicable component.