National Brain Research Centre (NBRC) Scholarships & Eligibility

The National Brain Research Centre (NBRC), located in Manesar (Gurgaon district), Haryana, is India's apex autonomous institute dedicated exclusively to neuroscience research and higher education. Functioning as a Deemed to be University under the Biotechnology Research and Innovation Council (BRIC), Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Ministry of Science & Technology, Government of India, BRIC-NBRC provides specialized postgraduate, doctoral, and post-doctoral research training in brain sciences.

Because neuroscience research demands full-time dedication and technical precision, NBRC ensures that all enrolled scholars across M.Sc., Integrated M.Sc.–Ph.D., and Ph.D. programs receive monthly stipends or national research fellowships. Supported by central government funding agencies and institutional allocations, these financial aid programs remove economic barriers for scientific talent.

Overview of Financial Support Options

Financial assistance at BRIC-NBRC is structured around merit, national competitive examination ranks, and research performance. Every scholar admitted to a regular academic program is covered under a fellowship scheme.

• D. Scholars: Receive monthly research fellowships ranging from INR 37,000 to INR 42,000 per month, along with House Rent Allowance (HRA) and annual contingency grants.
• Integrated M.Sc.–Ph.D. Scholars: Receive INR 25,000 per month during the initial master's phase, upgrading to Senior Research Fellowships upon transition to doctoral research.
• Sc. in Neuroscience Scholars: Receive an institutional or DBT-sponsored stipend of INR 12,000 per month plus HRA.
• Post-Doctoral Fellows / Research Associates: Receive monthly stipends starting at INR 58,000 per month + HRA under standard DST/DBT research scientist frameworks.

Program-Wise Fellowships and Types of Scholarships

Ph.D. in Neuroscience Fellowships

Candidates admitted to the Ph.D. program at NBRC are supported either through external national Junior Research Fellowships (JRF) or institutional research grants.

• Junior Research Fellowship (JRF - First Two Years): Scholars receive INR 37,000 per month + applicable HRA.
• Senior Research Fellowship (SRF - Years 3 to 5): Following a formal evaluation of two years of research work by an assessment panel, the fellowship is upgraded to INR 42,000 per month + HRA for the remaining doctoral tenure.
• Annual Research Contingency:D. fellowships carry a contingency grant of INR 40,000 per annum (or as mandated by the sponsoring body) to cover research books, specialized laboratory consumables, conference travel, and publication charges.
• Accepted Sponsoring Agencies:
  • Joint CSIR-UGC NET JRF
  • DBT Junior Research Fellowship (DBT-BET Category-I)
  • ICMR Junior Research Fellowship (ICMR-JRF)
  • DST-INSPIRE Doctoral Fellowship
  • NBHM (National Board for Higher Mathematics) Ph.D. Scholarship

Integrated M.Sc.–Ph.D. in Neuroscience Fellowships

The Integrated M.Sc.–Ph.D. track is a continuous dual-degree program designed for students entering directly after a Bachelor's degree.

• Master's Stage (Years 1 and 2): Enrolled scholars receive a fellowship of INR 25,000 per month + HRA.
• D. Transition Stage (Years 3 to 6): Upon fulfilling comprehensive course work requirements, clearing qualifying examinations, and registering for the Ph.D. phase, scholars are upgraded to Senior Research Fellowships (INR 28,000 to INR 42,000 per month depending on funding source and performance evaluations).
• Contingency Grant: Annual contingency funds are allocated to support computational tools, diagnostic software, and experimental literature.

M.Sc. in Neuroscience Stipend

Students pursuing the two-year M.Sc. in Neuroscience program receive dedicated financial assistance to support their living expenses in Manesar/Gurgaon.

• Monthly Stipend: INR 12,000 per month + HRA (granted in lieu of hostel accommodation if off-campus housing is utilized).
• Funding Source: Provided directly through NBRC institutional funds and Department of Biotechnology (DBT) post-graduate training grants.

Post-Doctoral Fellowships (PDF) and Research Associateships

To support experienced researchers conducting advanced inquiries into neurodegenerative diseases, brain mapping, and cognitive AI:

• Stipend Quantum: Ranges from INR 58,000 per month + HRA (RA-I tier) up to INR 67,000 per month + HRA for senior post-doctoral researchers, as per Department of Science and Technology (DST) guidelines.
• Research Contingency: Up to INR 50,000 per annum for independent research project expenses.

Category-Based National Fellowships (NSP)

Research scholars belonging to reserved categories can activate central government fellowship schemes administered via the National Scholarship Portal (NSP):

• National Fellowship for Scheduled Caste Students (NFSC): Provides INR 37,000 per month (JRF for first 2 years) and INR 42,000 per month (SRF for next 3 years) plus HRA and contingency grants.
• National Fellowship for Higher Education of ST Students (NFST): Financial support at parity with CSIR-UGC JRF rates for Scheduled Tribe scholars.
• National Fellowship for OBC Students (NFOBC): Stipends aligned with national JRF benchmarks for eligible OBC Non-Creamy Layer scholars.

Financial Support Summary Table

Eligibility Criteria for Fellowships

Eligibility for receiving financial aid at NBRC is tied directly to meeting the university's academic admission standards and the requirements of sponsoring national agencies.

Ph.D. Program Fellowship Eligibility

• Academic Background: Master’s degree (M.Sc.) in any branch of Natural Sciences (Life Sciences, Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, Statistics, Computer Science, Psychology, Pharmacy, Veterinary Science) or a four-year Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Technology, or Medicine (B.Tech, B.E., MBBS) from a recognized university.
• Minimum Marks: At least 60% aggregate marks (or equivalent CGPA) in Class 10+2 examinations, and at least 55% aggregate marks from Bachelor’s degree onwards.
• Mandatory Exam & Fellowship Requirement: Candidates must qualify in a national competitive examination and possess a valid, activation-ready Junior Research Fellowship award letter (CSIR-UGC JRF, DBT-JRF Category-I, ICMR-JRF, DST-INSPIRE, or NBHM) valid for five years.
• Reserved Category Relaxation: A 5% relaxation in aggregate marks (from 55% to 50%) in Bachelor's and Master's degrees is provided to SC, ST, OBC (Non-Creamy Layer), and Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD).

M.Sc. in Neuroscience Stipend Eligibility

• Qualifying Degree: Bachelor’s degree in any branch of Basic Sciences, Engineering, or Medicine with at least 55% aggregate marks (50% for SC/ST/OBC-NCL/PwBD).
• National Examination Route: Shortlisting is conducted through the Joint Graduate Entrance Examination for Biology and Interdisciplinary Life Sciences (JGEEBILS), JAM, or GATE, followed by institutional selection interviews.

Additional Financial Aid Options, HRA, and Privileges

House Rent Allowance (HRA)

• All fellowship holders who are not allotted on-campus hostel accommodation are entitled to receive House Rent Allowance (HRA) as per Government of India rules applicable to the Manesar/Gurgaon region (typically 27% of the basic fellowship amount).

Subsidized Campus Living and Amenities

• Nominal Academic Fees: As a government-funded Deemed University, NBRC maintains a low tuition fee structure, ensuring that monthly fellowship stipends comfortably cover all academic and personal living expenses.
• Hostel Accommodation: On-campus, furnished single/shared hostel rooms are provided to registered scholars.
• Student Medical Care: Enrolled scholars have access to the on-campus Resident Medical Officer (RMO) and basic emergency medical care.

Fee Exemptions for Reserved Categories

• Statutory fee concessions and tuition fee waivers are extended to SC, ST, and PwBD scholars in compliance with Central Educational Institutions regulations and Ministry of Education mandates.

Application and Disbursement Process

1. National Exam Qualification: Candidates appear for and clear national competitive fellowship exams (CSIR-UGC NET JRF, DBT-BET, ICMR-JRF, DST-INSPIRE, or JGEEBILS).
2. NBRC Admission Portal Registration: Candidates apply online at ac.in during open admission cycles, submitting exam scorecards, fellowship award letters, and academic transcripts.
3. Interview and Merit List: Shortlisted candidates clear the two-round selection interview process conducted by NBRC faculty panels.
4. Document Submission and Verification: Upon receiving the formal offer letter, candidates present original academic documents, category certificates (if applicable), and active fellowship award letters to the Academic Section.
5. Direct Bank Credit: Fellowships are disbursed monthly directly to the scholar’s Aadhaar-seeded bank account via Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) upon submission of satisfactory monthly attendance records and research supervisor progress reports.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1. Are all Ph.D. students at NBRC Gurgaon provided with a monthly fellowship?

Yes. All Ph.D. scholars admitted to NBRC receive a monthly research fellowship—either through external national awards (CSIR-UGC JRF, DBT-JRF, ICMR-JRF, DST-INSPIRE) or through institutional research grants. The fellowship starts at INR 37,000 per month + HRA for the first two years (JRF) and upgrades to INR 42,000 per month + HRA (SRF) upon review.

Q2. What is the stipend amount for M.Sc. in Neuroscience students at NBRC?

Students admitted to the two-year M.Sc. in Neuroscience program at NBRC receive a monthly stipend of INR 12,000 per month + HRA (if hostel accommodation is not provided).

Q3. Can a candidate hold two scholarships simultaneously at NBRC?

No. In accordance with Central Government norms, a scholar can draw a fellowship/stipend from only one source at a time. If a scholar qualifies for an external national fellowship (e.g., CSIR-NET JRF), any institutional stipend is discontinued.

Q4. What fellowship is offered during the Integrated M.Sc.–Ph.D. program?

Integrated M.Sc.–Ph.D. scholars receive a monthly fellowship of INR 25,000 per month + HRA during the initial master's phase. Upon successful completion of course work and qualifying requirements for the Ph.D. stage, the fellowship upgrades to Senior Research Fellow (SRF) rates.

Q5. Is House Rent Allowance (HRA) provided in addition to the fellowship stipend?

Yes. Scholars who are not allotted on-campus hostel accommodation receive House Rent Allowance (HRA) calculated as a percentage of their basic fellowship stipend according to Central Government norms for the Gurgaon/Manesar area.