Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for MoES-DOM-PDF
The MoES-DOM-PDF program is a strategic initiative under the Deep Ocean Mission (DOM) -Vertical VI, aiming to advance research in Ocean Biology and related engineering. The Program offers post-doctoral fellowships to foster cutting-edge research, nurture talented researchers, support interdisciplinary research, and reinforce the leadership of the Ministry ofEarth Sciences (MoES) through the Advanced Marine Station for Ocean Biology (AMSOB).
The research thrust areas include:
- Deep Sea Mining & Marine Biodiversity
- Environmental Impact Assessment
- Development of Technologies for Marine Biodiversity Assessment
- AI/ML Technologies for Underwater Image Processing (AUV,ROV, etc)
- Cell and Developmental Biology of Marine Organisms
- Physiological, Neurological, and Behavioural Biology of Marine Organisms
- Biochemistry of Marine Organisms and Marine Microbiology
- Computational and Systems Biology of Marine Organisms
- Marine Biotechnology
- Marine Biodiversity, Taxonomy, and Ecology
- Climate Change Impacts and Evolutionary Ecology of Marine Organisms
- Mapping and exploration of the Indian Ocean mid-oceanic ridges.
- Effects of Offshore Structures on Marine Biodiversity.
- PDF Applicant: Ph.D. in a scientific discipline from a recognized university, age not exceeding 35 years at the time of application. Age relaxation of 5 (five) years will be given to candidates belonging to SC/ST/OBC/Physically Challenged & Women candidates.
- PDF Mentor: Hold a regular position in a recognized academic or research institution, Ph.D. in a science discipline, no more than 2 PDFs under mentorship simultaneously.
- PDF Hosting Institute: Recognized academic/research organization providing essential administrative and infrastructural support.
- Applications must be forwarded through an academic/research organization.
- Applicants cannot be mentored by their Ph.D. supervisors or co-supervisors.
- The Ph.D. awarding institution cannot host the PDF.
- Applicants can avail the PDF only once in their career and submit proposals only once per calendar year.
- The PDF is a temporary position for a maximum of 2 years.
- PDFs must independently pursue research objectives and are not eligible for any other fellowship during the tenure.
- Mentor should register in the AMSOB website before the candidate apply for the PDF through the site.
| Item | Amount in Rs. | |
|---|---|---|
| PDF Fellowship | 80,000 + HRA* (Per Month) | |
| Research Grant | 2,50,000/Year | |
| Overhead Charges | 1,00,000/Year ** | |
| Travel (National) | 30,000/Year | |
| Travel (International) | 1,00,000/in 2 years | |
*HRA will be calculated as per Central Govt rules regarding city entitlements.
**Overhead Charges Applicable for only non-MoES Institutions .
The submitted proposals will be evaluated after the application closing date through a multi-stage process that includes Preliminary Scrutiny, Screening, and Referee Evaluation. Once the evaluation is complete, selected candidates will be notified via official email through the AMSOB portal, and the offer letter will be available for download. Please ensure that "helpdesk@amsob.in" is saved in your contacts. If you still do not receive the emails, contact the Administrator for assistance.
If you can't find your desired Mentor, it means the Mentor is not registered in the system. Ask your Mentor to register and fill all the mandatory fields of the User Profile.
Ensure your Mentorship is registered and has filled the 'Profile Detail' section under 'User Profile'. If your institute not found during Proposal Submission, it may be unverified. Request the AMSOB online administrator to verify your institute.
All saved proposals are visible in the Saved Proposal submenu.
Go to Proposal Submission Menu >> Click on Saved Proposal >> Select the Proposal Reference No and click on Submit/Edit/Delete Proposal Button.
All submitted proposals can be accessed through the View submitted proposals submenu.
Go to Proposal Submission Menu >> Click on View submitted proposals. You will see list of all the submitted proposal along with their current status.
2 years. Extension may be decided based on Ministry approval.
PDFs are eligible for leave as per host institution's regulations. Attendance at scientific workshops is considered official duty. Approval is required for continuous absence exceeding four weeks, except for project-related fieldwork.
MoES reserves the right to terminate the fellowship if necessary. The fellow must notify the mentor and host institute of termination. The host institute must refrain from incurring further expenses after termination.
Soft copies of proposals should be submitted using the online portal AMSOB (link). No other means of application will be accepted for this scheme.
Applications are not accepted throughout the year. Interested candidates must identify a host institution permission and a suitable Mentor affiliated with that institution to guide their proposed research work as per the DST norm.
The announcement for the MoES-DOM-PDF (Post-Doctoral Fellowship) will be published on the AMSOB website and Announcement will published in national newspaper like Employment News. After Announcement, Typically, a call-for open for 45-days window is provided for the submission of applications and required documents. All applications must be submitted via online line portal the AMSOB at https://www.amsob.in.
The announcement for the MoES-DOM-PDF (Post-Doctoral Fellowship) will be published on the AMSOB website and Announcement will published in national newspaper like Employment News. After Announcement, Typically, a call-for open for 45-days window is provided for the submission of applications and required documents. All applications must be submitted via online line portal the AMSOB at https://www.amsob.in.
The Mentor must be a permanent faculty member or a researcher holding a regular position at the host organization. The fellowship cannot be undertaken under the guidance of the applicant's Ph.D. guide or co-guide.
- Research proposal (format available at the AMSOB portal).
- Proof of date of birth (Class 10th certificate or birth certificate).
- Caste certificate (only if claiming age relaxation).
- Ph.D. degree certificate or proof of thesis submission.
- Endorsement letter from both Mentor and Head of Host Institute (refer portal for format).
- Undertaking letter from the applicant(refer portal for format).
- Copies of last five year best publications related to the PDF proposal.
- Mentor's CV (see portal for format).
- Applicants must refer to detailed instructions available on the AMSOB website before submitting.
There is no such provision for hiring project manpower under this scheme. The Fellow is expected to carry out the entire research work independently during his/her fellowship period.
Fellows must upload their Annual Progress Report and related financial documents at the end of each financial year to AMSOB portal as well as forwarded through proper channel to Funding Agency.
The release of the next instalment of funds is contingent on the submission of:
The release of the next instalment of funds is contingent on the submission of:
- Utilization Certificate (UC) and Statement of Expenditure (SOE) (year-wise) forwarded through proper channel.
- Submission of Annual Progress Report via the AMSOB portal.
Changing the Mentor or Host Institute is generally discouraged and permitted only exceptional circumstances on cases to case subject to the approval of the AMSOB committee. Any such change requires formal approval from competent authority of AMSOB/ NIOT/ MoES.
The new host organization must not be the same institute from where the applicant earned or pursued their Ph. D degree.
The unspent grant funds and project materials may be transferred to the new host, pending written agreement from both institutions as per the Govt. of India / DST norms. A No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the current host institution and an Endorsement Form from the new Mentor /Institution must be submitted through the AMSOB portal.
The new host organization must not be the same institute from where the applicant earned or pursued their Ph. D degree.
The unspent grant funds and project materials may be transferred to the new host, pending written agreement from both institutions as per the Govt. of India / DST norms. A No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the current host institution and an Endorsement Form from the new Mentor /Institution must be submitted through the AMSOB portal.
In case of resignation with valid reason, the Fellow must inform AMSOB through the host institution immediately. No further expenditure is to be incurred from the date of resignation or fellowship termination. Unspent Fellowship amount to be return to the AMSOB/NIOT
Fellows intending to be away from the implementing institution for more than eight continuous weeks (excluding project-related fieldwork) must obtain prior approval from AMSOB.
Upon completion, the following documents must be submitted to AMSOB via portal:
- Final consolidated Statement of Expenditure (in duplicate), detailing year-wise expenses.
- Year-wise Utilization Certificates (in duplicate) that match the expenditure reports.
- Project Completion Report (PCR), including any publications or patents filed. The Fellow and the Mentor are jointly responsible for timely submission of these documents.