PMRF scheme offers a highly prestigious fellowship for the PhD students with the intention to improve the quality of research in higher educational institutions. The fellowship is very competitive, and the selection process is extremely rigorous. PhD students of IIT Kanpur can apply for PMRF fellowship through their departments. The candidates are nominated by the Departments. A national level committee scrutinizes the nominations received in each subject area and makes the final selection. Calls for PMRF Fellowship are sent out by the Departments, normally at the beginning of the semester. For more details see here.