Innovation In Science Pursuit For Inspired Research (INSPIRE) - Faculty Fellowship
The INSPIRE Faculty Fellowship is a prestigious 5-year research fellowship from the Department of Science & Technology for outstanding young researchers aged 27–32 who hold a Ph.D. in science, engineering, medicine, agriculture, or pharmacy. Fellows receive ₹1.25 lakh/month plus a ₹7 lakh annual research grant to carry out independent research at Indian universities and academic institutions. Apply online at online-inspire.gov.in — 100 fellowships are awarded each year.
About This Scheme
The INSPIRE Faculty Fellowship is a prestigious 5-year research fellowship from the Department of Science & Technology for outstanding young researchers aged 27–32 who hold a Ph.D. in science, engineering, medicine, agriculture, or pharmacy. Fellows receive ₹1.25 lakh/month plus a ₹7 lakh annual research grant to carry out independent research at Indian universities and academic institutions. Apply online at online-inspire.gov.in — 100 fellowships are awarded each year.
Full official description
The "INSPIRE FACULTY FELLOWSHIP" component provides opportunities to 100 persons every year with Ph.D. qualifications in the age group of 27-32 years for 5 years to carry out research in both basic and applied science areas including engineering, medicine, agriculture, and veterinary sciences for establishing themselves as independent researchers. It grants an attractive fellowship for a duration of 5 years. The objective of the scheme is to encourage young researchers to continue research in areas of S&T, Medicine, Agriculture, Pharmacy, and Veterinary Sciences.
Purpose
- To provide attractive opportunities for young achievers for developing independent scientific profiles and launch them toward fulfilling long-term careers.
- To augment high-quality scientific manpower in scientific and educational institutions, especially the Central and State universities.
- While vertical migration from the other INSPIRE components would be encouraged, the faculty fellowship component also provides the opportunity to meritorious candidates for lateral entry into INSPIRE scheme.
- INSPIRE Faculty Fellowship provides an opportunity to post-doctoral fellows for carrying out independent research however does not guarantee a regular position after 5 years.
Benefits
- ₹1,25,000 per month fellowship (all-inclusive, taxable), with an annual increment of ₹2,000
- ₹7,00,000 per year research grant for 5 years (unused balance carries forward)
- 100 fellowships awarded per year
- Duration: maximum 5 years
Who Can Apply (Eligibility)
- Indian citizen or Person of Indian Origin (PIO) with a Ph.D. in science, maths, engineering, pharmacy, medicine, or agriculture
- Minimum 60% marks (or equivalent CGPA) from Class 12 onwards throughout academic career
- Age limit: 32 years for General category; 37 years for SC/ST/Women; 42 years for Divyangjan with ≥40% disability
- Must have publications in reputed peer-reviewed journals demonstrating research potential
- If currently employed, must resign (no lien or deputation accepted) before taking up fellowship
- Ph.D. thesis submitted but awaiting degree award is acceptable — selection confirmed only after degree is awarded
Exclusions
No Fellow shall avail of two fellowships concurrently during the tenure of this Fellowship period.
How to Apply
Mode of Application
- Eligible candidates need to submit applications ONLINE through the portal of INSPIRE program only. No other mode of submission of the application is permitted.
- To apply ONLINE, please visit the website and follow the process described therein. After the successful submission of the application online, the candidate may obtain a printout of the application and keep it for his/her personal reference.
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 selection process, viz. evaluation by discipline-based Expert Committees, followed by the recommendations of the Apex Level Committee and INSPIRE Faculty Award Council. Based on the recommendations of these Committees, DST makes the final selection.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Many Candidates Are Awarded The Fellowship Every Year?
Every year, 100 candidates are awarded the fellowship.
What Is The Duration Of The Fellowship?
The duration of the fellowship is 5 years.
Which Are The Eligible Research Domains For The Fellowship?
Research in both basic and applied science areas including engineering, medicine, agriculture, and veterinary sciences.
What Are The Objectives Of This Fellowship?
The objective of the scheme is to encourage young researchers to continue research in areas of S&T, Medicine, Agriculture, Pharmacy, and Veterinary Sciences.
What Additional Documents Are Required By The Applicants Who Are Not INSPIRE Scholars?
First Rank Certificate is required in the case of applicants who are not INSPIRE Scholars.
What Is The Full Form Of NTRP?
The full-form of NTRP is "Non-Tax Receipt Portal".
Does This Fellowship Provide Lateral Entry Options?
While vertical migration from the other INSPIRE components would be encouraged, the faculty fellowship component also provides the opportunity to meritorious candidates for lateral entry into INSPIRE scheme.
What Documents Are Required To Be Submitted Upon Selection For The Fellowship?
The following documents are required to be submitted upon selection for the fellowship - Duly signed "Undertaking from INSPIRE Faculty Fellow" Undertaking duly signed by both the competent authority from the chosen Host institution and the INSPIRE Faculty Fellow. Every Faculty Fellow needs to provide budget estimates with year-wise detailed break-up under various Heads such as manpower cost, consumables including chemicals, travel, contingency, overhead costs, etc. and non-recurring cost such as equipment for utilization of the Research Grant to the DST-INSPIRE Programme Division along with joining documents.
Does This Fellowship Offers A Regular/Permanent Position?
INSPIRE Faculty Fellowship provides an opportunity to post-doctoral fellows for carrying out independent research however does not guarantee a regular position after 5 years.
What Additional Documents Are Required To Be Submitted By The Fellow On The Case Of Transfer Or Change Of Host Institution?
The Faculty Fellow needs to inform the DST-INSPIRE Programme Division immediately with the following documents to effect the change and smooth facilitation of the transfer of funds etc: Appointment Letter of permanent employment or justification for a change of Host Institution. NOC from the present Host Institute and Acceptance Letter from the new Host Institute. Joining Letter from the new Host Institute due to transfer or permanent employment (either the same or a different Host Institution), Fresh signed copy of the Undertaking (not required in case of permanent employment in the same Host Institution), Up-to-date financial documents from the present Host Institute (also in case of permanent employment in the same Host Institute).
How Do I Submit The Online Application?
To apply ONLINE, please visit the website: https://online-inspire.gov.in and follow the process described therein. After the successful submission of the application online, the candidate may obtain a printout of the application and keep it for his/her personal reference.
Ready to apply?
Visit the official government portal to apply for this scheme.
Apply on myScheme.gov.inDocuments Required
- > **For Application**
- Passport Size Photograph
- Class X Mark sheet or Certificate (for proof of Date of Birth)
- Proof of Academic Qualifications (Degree / Passing Certificate / Marksheets) (from class 12th standard onwards)
- Community/Caste Certificate (only if the applicant belongs to SC/ST)
- Letter of appointment (if employed)
- First Rank Certificate for applicants who are not INSPIRE Scholars
- Details of Professional Recognitions, Awards, and Fellowships received
- Details of Professional Training and Research Experience
- Any other supporting documents
- > **For receiving the 1st Installment**
- Bank account detail of the Host Institute
- Joining Report
- Undertaking signed by the Faculty Fellow
- Undertaking signed by the Host Institute
- Budget breakup on the usage of Research Grant
- > **In case already enrolled in a Ph.D.**
- Admission Letter (issued by University Authorities i.e. Registrar, Dean, Director, etc (Only joining as JRF will not be acceptable. In such a case, you should submit as a non-Ph.D. scholar)
- Fee Receipt for Ph.D. admission
- CV of the Ph. D. Supervisor with last 5 years of research credentials.
- Endorsement Letter (Template available at http://www.online-inspire.gov.in
- Methodology and Workplan are also to be submitted online in .pdf format if required.
- > **Upon Selection**
- Duly signed “Undertaking from INSPIRE Faculty Fellow”
- Undertaking duly signed by both the competent authority from the chosen Host institution and the INSPIRE Faculty Fellow.
- Every Faculty Fellow needs to provide budget estimates with year-wise detailed break-up under various Heads such as manpower cost, consumables including chemicals, travel, contingency, overhead costs, etc. and non-recurring cost such as equipment for utilization of the Research Grant to the DST-INSPIRE Programme Division along with joining documents.
- > **Completion of Faculty Fellowship Tenure**
- To settle the Faculty Fellowship grant upon completion/resignation, INSPIRE Faculty Fellow shall upload all necessary documents in his/her INSPIRE Web-Portal account such as:
- Final Technical Report in the prescribed format.
- List of Equipment procured during Faculty fellowship in the prescribed format.
- Performance Report in the prescribed format.
- Final Statement of Expenditure (SE) and Year-wise Utilization certificate (UC) for the
- Faculty fellowship duration in the prescribed format,
- Unspent balance if any (unspent balance and other earnings against the released grant (if any), shall be remitted to the Consolidated Fund of India (through Non-Tax Receipt Portal (NTRP) i.e., https://www.bharatkosh.gov.in. and the copy of the same is to be uploaded to the portal.
- > **Transfer or Change of Host Institution (including absorption)**
- The Faculty Fellow needs to inform the DST-INSPIRE Programme Division immediately with the following documents to effect the change and smooth facilitation of the transfer of funds etc.
- Appointment Letter of permanent employment or justification for a change of Host Institution.
- NOC from the present Host Institute and Acceptance Letter from the new Host Institute.
- Joining Letter from the new Host Institute due to transfer or permanent employment (either the same or a different Host Institution),
- Fresh signed copy of the Undertaking (not required in case of permanent employment in the same Host Institution),
- Up-to-date financial documents from the present Host Institute (also in case of permanent employment in the same Host Institute).