Innovation in Science Pursuit for Inspired Research
(INSPIRE)
INSPIRE Faculty Fellowship
(A component under INSPIRE)
Call for Applications under INSPIRE Faculty Fellowship
(2024)
Under “Innovation in Science Pursuit for Inspired Research (INSPIRE)” scheme of
Department of Science and Technology, Government of India, opportunities are provided
to meritorious young Indian students to study basic and natural sciences at the college and
university level and to pursue research careers in both basic and applied science areas
including engineering, medicine, agriculture and veterinary sciences.
The INSPIRE Faculty Fellowship (IFF) provides an opportunity to doctorates in the age
group of 27-32 years for carrying out independent research for 5 years in both basic and
applied science areas including engineering, medicine, agriculture, veterinary science and
translational research in S&T domain.
Applications are invited for the year 2024, from eligible candidates under INSPIRE Faculty
Fellowship component of INSPIRE scheme of DST through the web-portal https://onlineinspire.gov.in.
A) Eligibility:
1. Essential:
i. Indian citizens and People of Indian origin with PIO status having Ph.D. degree (in
science, mathematics, engineering, pharmacy, medicine and agriculture related
subjects) from any recognized university in the world.
ii. Candidates should possess a minimum of 60% (or equivalent CGPA) marks
throughout their academic profile starting from the Senior Secondary Examination
(Class 12 onwards).
iii. Those who have submitted their Ph.D. thesis and are awaiting the award of degree
shall also be eligible. However, selection for the Fellowship will be confirmed only
after the Ph.D. degree is awarded.
iv. The upper age limit as on 1st January 2024 is 32 years for General Category.
However, for SC/ST/Women candidates, the upper age limit will be 37 years on the
said date. For persons with benchmark disabilities (Divyangjan with not less than
40 percent of a specified disability), the upper age limit will be 42 years.
v. Publication(s) in highly reputed journals demonstrating outstanding research
potential of the candidate. However, candidates applying for Faculty Fellowship in
the new subject area ‘Translational Research in S&T’ should have at least two
patents filed or one patent granted to their credit.
vi. In case of selection under area ‘Translational Research in S&T’, it is mandatory
that the Host institution must be chosen as those S&T institutions which have
Central/State Govt supported Technology Business Incubators (TBIs), so that the
deep-tech research can be mentored and carried out in conjunction with the TBI. (For
reference, applicants may visit https://www.nstedb.com/)
vii. 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 if selected as
INSPIRE Faculty Fellows.
2. Desirable:
Candidates who are within top 1% in Class 12 examination, IIT-JEE, NEET rank holders,
1st rank holders either in graduation or post-graduation level university examinations.
B) Fellowship:
i. Each selected INSPIRE Faculty Fellow will be eligible to receive a consolidated
amount of Rs.1,25,000/- per month as fellowship with annual increment of
Rs.2,000/-. In addition, a Research Grant of Rs.7,00,000/- every year for 5 years
will also be provided to each successful candidate. Consolidated amount of
Rs.1,25,000/- per month is an all-inclusive fellowship and taxable as per the Indian
IT Act.
ii. The INSPIRE Faculty Fellowship is for a maximum period of 5(five) years.
Availing of fellowships concurrently from more than one source during the tenure
of this Fellowship period is not permitted.
C) How to Apply:
i. Interested and eligible students must apply and submit their application with all
essential documents through ONLINE mode only. Applications are to be submitted
online on INSPIRE web-portal https://www.online-inspire.gov.in. Those interested
in submitting application have to register at this portal and submit the application
online.
Please read guidelines available on the portal carefully before submitting
the application. This web- portal will be open from 1st June, 2024 to 15th July,
2024 (till 23:59 hrs. IST) for submission of applications. For further enquiries
regarding INSPIRE-Faculty Fellowship component, please send email to:
inspire.prog-dst@nic.in. For queries, please call on 0124-6690020, 0124- 6690021.
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