Ministry of Science and Technology
Department of Science and Technology
INSPIRE Faculty Fellowship Scheme 18th Call-2021
The Department of Science and Technology, Government of India, launched the
“Innovation in Science Pursuit for Inspired Research (INSPIRE)” [www.online-inspire.gov.in]
Programme in 2008. This programme which covers the age group of 15-37 years, aims to attract
young Indian talent towards study of science leading to careers in research. INSPIRE includes
multiple components out of which the INSPIRE Faculty Fellowship Scheme offers post-doctoral
fellowships to young achievers with an opportunity for independent research in the near term to
emerge as a future leader in the long term.
A) Eligibility
Essential
➢ Indian citizens and people of Indian origin with PIO status having PhD degree (in science,
mathematics, engineering, pharmacy, medicine and agriculture related subjects) from any
recognized university in the world.
➢ Candidates should possess a minimum of 60% (or equivalent CGPA) marks throughout
their academic profile starting from the Higher Secondary Examination (Class 12 onwards).
➢ Those who have submitted their PhD theses and are awaiting the award of degree shall also
be eligible. However, selection for the Fellowship will be confirmed only after the PhD
degree is awarded.
➢ The upper age limit as on 1st Jan 2021 is 32 years for General/OBC Categories. However,
for SC/ST/Women candidates, the upper age limit will be 37 years. For persons with
benchmark disabilities (Divyangjan with not less than 40 percent of a specified disability), the
upper age limit will be 42 years.
➢ Publication(s) in highly reputed journals demonstrating outstanding research potential of
the candidate.
➢ Candidates who are employed in regular/contractual positions within India may also apply
for INSPIRE Faculty Fellowship for improvement and enhancement in their career
prospects but, upon selection, the candidates will need to resign (no lien or deputation or
any type of leave would be accepted) from the current job and organization before taking
up the INSPIRE Faculty Fellowship. The candidates, who get selected for regular position
in any institute/university after submission of IFF application, would be entitled to receive
the Research Grant only as INSPIRE Faculty Fellows.
Desirable
➢ Candidates who are within top 1% in Class 12 examination, IIT-JEE rank holders, 1st rank
holders either in graduation or post-graduation level university examinations.
B) Mode of Application
➢ Eligible candidates need to submit applications ONLINE through the portal of INSPIRE
programme. No other mode of submission of the application is permitted.
➢ To apply ONLINE, please visit the website: www.online-inspire.gov.in and follow the
process described therein. After successful submission of the application online, the
candidate may obtain a print out of the application and keep it for his/her personal
reference.
C) Method of Selection
➢ The Indian National Science Academy (INSA), New Delhi, in coordination with DST, is
implementing this INSPIRE Faculty Fellowship Scheme up to the stage of
recommendation of candidates for INSPIRE Faculty Fellowship.
➢ A three-tier selections process, viz. evaluation by discipline-based Expert Committees
(INSA), followed by the recommendations of Apex Level Committee (INSA) and INSPIRE
Faculty Award Council (DST). Based on the recommendations of these Committees, DST
makes the final selection.
D) Amount and Duration of INSPIRE Faculty Fellowship
➢ Each selected INSPIRE Faculty Fellow will be eligible to receive a consolidated amount of
Rs.1,25,000/- per month as fellowship. In addition, a Research Grant of Rs.7.0 lakh every
year for 5 years will also be provided to each successful candidate including the carryforward amount, if any, from the previous year. The consolidated amount of Rs.1,25,000
per month is an all-inclusive fellowship and taxable as per the Indian IT Act.
➢ The INSPIRE Faculty Fellowship is for a maximum period of 5(five) years. No Fellow
should avail two fellowships concurrently during the tenure of this Fellowship period.
E) Terms and Conditions for Implementation
➢ Candidates, who have not identified host institutions at the time of their application, should
do so immediately after their final selection. All selected candidates should avail the
INSPIRE Faculty Fellowship within 3 months of their final selection.
➢ A selected candidate, who is yet to be awarded the PhD degree, will receive intimation for
submission of his/her PhD degree certificate within 3 months to avoid forfeiting the
opportunity. Upon submission of the PhD degree certificate, the Offer Letter will be issued
to the candidate through the web portal with 3 months’ validity to undertake the fellowship
at the chosen Host Institution.
➢ Selected INSPIRE Faculty Fellows joining private academic/research institutes shall
receive only the Research Grant and their host institutions will have to pay the fellowship
amount as per Scheme norms.
➢ In case an INSPIRE Faculty Fellow, finds a permanent position during the tenure of the
Fellowship, the Fellowship amount shall be discontinued from the day the INSPIRE Faculty
Fellow joins the permanent position, but he/she may continue with the INSPIRE Faculty
Fellowship Scheme availing Research Grant only for the remaining period to carry out
research while occupying the new position.
➢ The INSPIRE Faculty Fellow is eligible to apply for any competitive grant from various
funding agencies during the tenure of the INSPIRE Faculty Fellowship.
F) Role and requirements of Host Institutions
➢ Host institutions are expected to provide congenial atmosphere to INSPIRE Faculty
Fellows to enable them to excel in their work, and should view them as potential assets for
faculty development. It is desirable if the host institutes introduce new areas/directions of
research through this Scheme.
➢ Under no circumstances the “INSPIRE Faculty Fellowship” is renewable after 5(five)
years. Host institutions are expected to consider the “INSPIRE Faculty Fellows” for
permanent positions in due course, subject to their meeting institutional performance
assessment criteria.
➢ Host institutes should provide acceptable laboratory and office space (independently or on
shared basis), ensure access to all common infrastructural facilities, computing facilities,
library etc., to the INSPIRE Faculty Fellows.
➢ Host institutes should provide information on whether the INSPIRE Faculty Fellow will be
allowed to supervise PhD students, hire research fellows, independently or jointly with a
permanent faculty member, while hosting the Faculty Fellows.
G) Last date
➢ The INSPIRE Faculty Fellowship shall be regulated as per the guidelines available on the
website: www.online-inspire.gov.in. Candidates need to visit the website and read the
guidelines thoroughly before applying for the INSPIRE Faculty Fellowship scheme.
Last date for making online applications is 10 th Oct 2021 (extended).
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