NIF Invites Participation in Research and Grassroots Innovation

The National Innovation Foundation (NIF) - India was set up in March 2000 with the assistance of Department of Science and Technology, Government of India. It is India's national initiative to strengthen the grassroots technological innovations and outstanding traditional knowledge. Its mission is to help India become a creative and knowledge-based society by expanding policy and institutional space for grassroots technological innovators.

National Innovation Foundation - India (NIF) invites applications from highly motivated and eligible professionals for engagement in various contractual positions.

Manager [Post Code-01]
No of post : 1
Minimum Qualification Required : Doctoral Degree in Science from a recognised University with specialisation in Zoology and five years' experience in relevant field.
Desirable : Experience and sound knowledge in Intellectual Property Management (IP) and validation of herbal technology through lab and field trials in crop protection.
Upper Age (Years) : 55
Monthly Emoluments (Rs.) : 67,000 to 96,000 + HRA

Principal Associate [Post Code-02]
No of post : 1
Minimum Qualification Required : Master's Degree in Business Administration from a recognised University, and at least six years' experience in the field of innovation management Desirable: Experience of field work in remote, rural and tribal areas; diffusion of innovative technologies
Upper Age (Years) : 50
Monthly Emoluments (Rs.) : 56,000 to 75,000 + HRA

Principal Associate [Post Code-03]
No of post : 1
Minimum Qualification Required : Doctoral Degree in Agriculture (Genetics and Plant Breeding), and at least three years' experience in the relevant field. Desirable: Experience of working on farmer innovations, diffusion of innovative technologies, conducting OFTs and data collection, field work for documentation, verification, preparing scientific documents.
Upper Age (Years) : 50
Monthly Emoluments (Rs.) : 56,000 to 75,000 + HRA

Principal Associate [Post code – 04]
No of post : 1
Doctoral Degree in Biological Science from a recognized University or equivalent; and at least three years' experience in the relevant field.
Upper Age (Years) : 50
Monthly Emoluments (Rs.) : 56,000 to 75,000 + HRA

Research Associate III [Post code – 05]
No of post : 1
Minimum Qualification Required : ME / M. Tech in Agricultural/Mechanical/Electronics Engineering with five years of experience and at least one research paper in reputed journal. Desirable: Experience and sound knowledge of design and development of rural machinery, working in rural areas and product development involving the stakeholders for minimum period of five years.
Upper Age (Years) : 40
67,000 + HRA

Research Associate II [Post code – 06]
No of post : 1
Minimum Qualification Required : ME/M.Tech in Agricultural / Mechanical Engineering with three years of experience and at least one research paper in reputed journal. Desirable : Experience and sound knowledge in field work / Documentation/ Innovation Incubation chain including value addition of engineering related innovations.
Upper Age (Years) : 40
Monthly Emoluments (Rs.) : 61,000 + HRA

Research Associate II [Post Code – 07]
No of post : 1
Minimum Qualification Required : Ph.D. in Sciences with two years of experience and at least one research paper in reputed journal. Desirable: Experience and sound knowledge in validation of herbal technologies related to plant protection through lab and field trials.
Upper Age (Years) : 40
Monthly Emoluments (Rs.) : 61,000 + HRA

Research Associate II [Post Code – 08]
No of post : 1
Minimum Qualification Required : Master's in Engineering/ Technology (ECE) from recognized University, with three years of experience and at least one research paper in reputed journal.
Desirable : Experience in managing innovation databases, review of ideas/ innovations
Upper Age (Years) : 40
Monthly Emoluments (Rs.) : 61,000 + HRA

Research -I Associate [Post Code – 09]
No of post : 1
Minimum Qualification Required : Master's degree in Agricultural /Mechanical Engineering from a recognized University and two years of experience in relevant field.
Desirable: Experience of design and development of farm / rural machineries.
Upper Age (Years) : 40
Monthly Emoluments (Rs.) : 58,000 + HRA

Senior Associate [Post Code – 10]
No of post : 1
Minimum Qualification Required : Master's Degree in Business Administration or science with patent agent exam qualified or equivalent from a recognised University; and at least four years' experience in the relevant field
Upper Age (Years) : 50
Monthly Emoluments (Rs.) : 53,000 to 71,000 + HRA

Senior Associate [Post Code – 11]
No of post : 1
Minimum Qualification Required : Doctoral Degree in Science / Social Science (Development Studies, Livelihoods, Social Entrepreneurship, Sustainable Development, or a relevant field) from a recognised University
Or Master's Degree in Science / Social Science (Development Studies, Livelihoods, Social Entrepreneurship, Sustainable Development, or a relevant field) from a recognised University and at least four years' of experience in the relevant field Desirable: Demonstrated proficiency in both quantitative and qualitative research methodologies, including experience in field surveys, data collection, and impact assessment studies. Proficiency in at least one statistical analysis tool such as R, Stata, Python, or SPSS, along with a sound working knowledge of MS Excel. Working exposure to GIS and remote sensing basics is preferred Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to prepare clear reports and deliver effective presentations.
Upper Age (Years) : 50
Monthly Emoluments (Rs.) : 53,000 to 71,000 + HRA

Senior Fellow [Post Code – 12]
No of post : 2
Minimum Qualification Required : Master's Degree in Social Sciences (Livelihoods, Social Entrepreneurship, Sustainable Development, Social Protection, etc.) or Mass Communication and at least three years' experience in the relevant field Desirable: Experience of field work in remote, rural and tribal areas; diffusion of innovative technologies
Upper Age (Years) : 45
Monthly Emoluments (Rs.) : 47,000 to 66,000 + HRA

Senior Fellow [Post Code – 13]
No of post : 1
Minimum Qualification Required : Master's Degree in Natural/ Agricultural or relevant Social Sciences (Development Studies, Livelihoods, Social Entrepreneurship, Sustainable Development, etc.) or Communication or Information Technology (IT) or Computer Application or Business Administration; and at least three years' experience in the relevant field Or Bachelor's Degree in Engineering or Technology or Design or Medicine from a recognised University or equivalent; and at least three years' experience in the relevant field Or Master's Degree in Engineering or Technology or Design or Medicine/ Veterinary Sciences /Pharma from a recognised University or equivalent; and at least one-year experience in the relevant field Or Doctoral Degree in Science / Engineering Design/ Agriculture/ Veterinary Sciences or relevant Social Sciences (Development Studies, Livelihoods, Social Entrepreneurship, Sustainable Development, etc.) or Mass Communication or Information Technology (IT) or Computer Application or Business Administration / Technology / Pharma / Master degree In science with patent agent exam qualified or equivalent from a recognised University.
Upper Age (Years) : 45
Monthly Emoluments (Rs.) : 47,000 to 66,000 + HRA

Senior Fellow [Post Code – 14]
No of post : 1
Minimum Qualification Required : Master's Degree in Development Studies from recognized university and at least three years' experience in the relevant field
Upper Age (Years) : 45
Monthly Emoluments (Rs.) : 47,000 to 66,000 + HRA

Junior Associate [Post Code – 15]
No of post : 1
Minimum Qualification Required : Bachelor's Degree in Agricultural/Mechanical Engineering or Design from a recognised University; and at least two years' experience in the field of product development /testing of machineries in lab /field.
Desirable : Experience and sound knowledge in field work for collecting technical details, preparing scientific documents.
Upper Age (Years) : 35
Monthly Emoluments (Rs.) : 44,000 to 58,000 + HRA

Junior Associate [Post Code – 16]
No of post : 4
Minimum Qualification Required : Master's Degree in Natural/ Agricultural Sciences and at least two years' experience in the relevant field Desirable: Experience and sound knowledge in field work / Documentation of Innovation and/or Indigenous Traditional knowledge
Upper Age (Years) : 35
Monthly Emoluments (Rs.) : 44,000 to 58,000 + HRA

Junior Associate [Post Code – 17]
No of post : 1
Minimum Qualification Required : Master's Degree in Development Studies, Livelihoods, Social Entrepreneurship, Sustainable Development, or relevant field of Social Sciences from a recognised University and at least two years' of experience in the relevant field Desirable Demonstrated proficiency in both quantitative and qualitative research methodologies, including experience in field surveys, data collection, and impact assessment studies. Proficiency in at least one statistical analysis tool such as R, Stata, Python, or SPSS, along with a sound working knowledge of MS Excel. Working exposure to GIS and remote sensing basics is preferred Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to prepare clear reports and deliver effective presentations.
Upper Age (Years) : 35
Monthly Emoluments (Rs.) : 44,000 to 58,000 + HRA

Junior Fellow [Post Code – 18]
No of post : 6
Minimum Qualification Required : Bachelor's Degree in Agricultural/Mechanical/Electronics Engineering or Design
Desirable : Experience of field work for collecting technical details and preparing scientific documents.
Upper Age (Years) : 35
Monthly Emoluments (Rs.) : 35,000 to 44,000 + HRA

Junior Fellow [Post Code – 19]
No of post : 1
Minimum Qualification Required : Bachelor's Degree in Agricultural/Mechanical Engineering Desirable: Experience of field work ( preferably in North Eastern part of India.) for collecting technical details and preparing scientific documents.
Upper Age (Years) : 35
Monthly Emoluments (Rs.) : 35,000 to 44,000 + HRA

Junior Fellow [Post Code – 20]
No of post : 5
Minimum Qualification Required : Master's Degree in Botany/Agriculture from recognized University Desirable: Experience and sound knowledge in field work / Documentation of Innovations/ Indigenous Traditional Knowledge/
Upper Age (Years) : 35
Monthly Emoluments (Rs.) : 35,000 to 44,000 + HRA

Junior Fellow [Post Code – 21]
No of post : 2
Minimum Qualification Required : Master's Degree in Science /Agriculture from recognized University Desirable: Experience and sound knowledge in field work in the North eastern India/ Documentation of Innovations/ Indigenous Traditional Knowledge
Upper Age (Years) :35
Monthly Emoluments (Rs.) : 35,000 to 44,000 + HRA

Junior Fellow [Post Code – 22]
No of post : 2
Minimum Qualification Required : Master's Degree in Life Sciences from recognized University Desirable: Experience in prioritisation of ideas/ innovations
Upper Age (Years) : 35
Monthly Emoluments (Rs.) : 35,000 to 44,000 + HRA

Junior Fellow [Post Code – 23]
No of post : 1
Minimum Qualification Required : Master's Degree in Computer Application from recognised University.
Upper Age (Years) : 35
Monthly Emoluments (Rs.) : 35,000 to 44,000 + HRA

The upper age is relaxable for the SC/ST/OBC/PH candidates following the orders issued by the Central Government norms. The Institute may (a) Vary the number of candidates eventually recruited depending on the needs of the organization (b) Give relaxation in qualification, experience and the upper age limit in case of deserving candidates. The prescribed essential qualifications are minimum and the mere possession of the same does not entitle candidates to be called for interview. Candidates working in Government Departments / Public Sector Undertakings / Autonomous organisations should apply through the proper channel. The Institute reserves the right to cancel the recruitment without assigning any reason. All the positions are contractual initially for two years and depending upon performance shall be extended. The location of the activities/posting can be anywhere in India. Leaves and other benefits will be as per institutional norms. Canvassing in any form will result in the disqualification of candidature.

The last date for submitting the online application is 20th February 2026. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted to appear for interview.