Developing your proposal for ANRF’s PMECRG? 

Learn from researchers who have been through the process

A good research proposal is rarely developed in isolation. Researchers often learn how to shape an idea, build a convincing rationale, think through feasibility and navigate the funding process through conversations with mentors and colleagues who have done it before.

Access to those conversations, however, is not always evenly distributed.

IndiaBioscience is organising a series of peer-led proposal-development workshops across five cities for prospective applicants to the upcoming ANRF Prime Minister’s Early Career Research Grant (PMECRG) call.

The sessions aim to bring together prospective applicants with current PMECRG grantees and experienced researchers who have navigated research funding and proposal development over the years. The emphasis at these sessions will be on sharing experience, asking questions, testing ideas and helping researchers think more clearly about their own proposals.

The following centers are accepting applications right now, we will update the registration link for others soon.

Upcoming workshops (Find one close to you)

Bengaluru
Host: NCBS-TIFR
Date: 26 October 2026 | 10 AM — 1 PM (IST)
Coordinator: Suman Pahal, Grants Manager, NCBS-TIFR
Register here.

Delhi
Host: BRIC-NII
Date: [To be announced]
Coordinator: Banya Kar, Public Relations Officer, BRIC-NII
Registration: [Registration link/​details]

Bhubaneswar
Host: BRIC-ILS
Date: 28 October | 10 AM — 5 PM
Coordinators: Rajeeb Swain, Scientist‑F, BRIC-ILS and Mamoni Dash, Scientist D, BRIC-ILS
Register here.

Pune
Host:  BRIC-NCCS
Date: 26 October 2026 | 2 — 5 PM (IST)
Coordinator: Deepa Subramanyam, Faculty, BRIC-NCCS
Register here.

Hyderabad
Host: CSIR-CCMB
Date: 2 November 2026 | 2 — 5 PM (IST)
Coordinator: Jahnavi Joshi, Principal Scientist, CSIR-CCMB
Register here.

The sessions will include experiences shared by grantees and senior academics, and mentoring/proposal-development discussions. Participants are encouraged to come prepared with a research question or idea, a brief rationale, a proposed approach and their current stage of development.

You may also want to think about one or two aspects of your proposal that you would particularly like to discuss with a mentor.

Who can attend?
The sessions are primarily intended for early-career life-science researchers and prospective applicants who are eligible or potentially eligible for PMECRG (see eligibility criteria). Approximately 25 – 30 participants can attend per city.

Please note: These are peer-learning and mentoring sessions and are not formal ANRF reviewer-training sessions or official ANRF guidance.

If you have any questions, send them to us at hello@​indiabioscience.​org.

What to expect

The session is designed as a practical, peer-driven proposal-development and mentoring space. Participants can expect:

• Learn from real experiences: Hear from current PMECRG grantees about how they developed their proposals, what they found challenging, what worked for them, and what they would approach differently.
• Discuss your research idea: Bring your own research question or early-stage idea and discuss it with experienced researchers.
• Small-group mentoring: Participate in focused discussions with mentors around your research question, problem statement, rationale, novelty, significance and feasibility.
• Ask practical questions: Get an opportunity to discuss proposal-development questions that may arise while shaping your application.
• Learn from peers: Exchange ideas and experiences with other researchers who are preparing to apply.
• Refine your thinking: The aim is to help you think more clearly about your research idea and the aspects you may need to strengthen before developing your full proposal.
• Build connections: Interact with experienced researchers and fellow prospective applicants beyond your immediate institutional network.

What not to expect

This session is not:

• A formal ANRF training or reviewer-training programme.
• An official briefing on what ANRF reviewers look for or what guarantees a successful proposal.
• A session providing official ANRF guidance or interpretation of the PMECRG call.
• A substitute for reading the official PMECRG call, eligibility criteria, guidelines or application instructions.
• A one-to-one proposal-writing or editing service.
• A session where mentors will evaluate, score or approve individual proposals.
• A requirement to have a complete proposal ready before attending.

The emphasis is on peer learning, practical experience, discussion and mentoring. Participants are encouraged to come with a research question or idea, a brief explanation of the problem and why it matters, an initial approach, and an understanding of what they have established so far and what remains uncertain.