SERB - POWER Fellowship
The SERB POWER Fellowship rewards outstanding women scientists working at Indian academic institutions or R&D labs who hold a PhD in science or engineering. It provides a top-up fellowship of ₹15,000/month plus ₹10 lakh/year for research funding for 3 years. Nominations must be submitted online through serbonline.in by the head of the institution or a Fellow of a National Academy.
About This Scheme
The SERB POWER Fellowship rewards outstanding women scientists working at Indian academic institutions or R&D labs who hold a PhD in science or engineering. It provides a top-up fellowship of ₹15,000/month plus ₹10 lakh/year for research funding for 3 years. Nominations must be submitted online through serbonline.in by the head of the institution or a Fellow of a National Academy.
Full official description
SERB - POWER (Promoting Opportunities For Women in Exploratory Research) Fellowship was launched by the Department of Science & Technology, Government of India to mitigate gender disparity in science and engineering research funding in various S&T programs in Indian academic institutions and R&D Laboratories. The fellowship is aimed to enhance diversity in research to ensure equal access and weighted opportunities for Indian women scientists engaged in research and development activities.
Objectives:
The fellowship is designed to identify and reward excellent women researchers in Indian academic institutions and R&D laboratories, holding Ph.D. degrees in any branch of science and engineering.
Duration of Fellowship:
- Fellowship duration will be fixed for three years, without the possibility of extension.
- Successful POWER Fellows cannot be re-nominated for the second time.
Benefits
- ₹15,000 per month top-up fellowship (on top of regular salary) for 3 years
- ₹10 lakh per year research grant (usable for equipment, research personnel, consumables, contingencies, and domestic travel)
- Overhead support for the host institution as per SERB norms
Who Can Apply (Eligibility)
- Must be a woman scientist with an excellent independent research record
- Must hold a PhD in any branch of science or engineering from an Indian institution
- Must be an Indian citizen aged 35–55 years at time of nomination
- Must hold a regular position at an Indian academic institution or R&D lab throughout the fellowship
- Must not be receiving any other government fellowship during this period
- Fellowship is for 3 years with no possibility of extension; cannot be re-nominated a second time
How to Apply
Nomination Procedure:
- Applications for the POWER fellowship are invited through nominations.
- The nominations should be sent by the Heads of the Institutions or Fellows of National Academies.
- The nominations will be received throughout the year through online (www.serbonline.in) only.
Application Procedure:
Step 01: The applicant will fill out the application form on the online portal. After submission of the form, a mail containing a link will be sent to the nominator by SERB. Step 02: The nominator will click on the link provided in the mail to find the details of the application. After verification of the details, he/she will forward the nomination to SERB.
Selection Procedure:
- Selection of POWER Fellows will be made twice a year by a specially constituted Search-cum-Selection Committee constituted for the purpose.
For queries & more:
Email: serb-power@serb.gov.in
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is eligible for SERB Power Fellowship?
Those who are eligible for SERB Power Fellowship are:
Outstanding women researchers and innovators working in Indian academic institutions and R&D laboratories, holding Ph.D. degrees in any branch of science and engineering. The nominee should be an active scientist with an excellent record of research performance as an independent investigator or innovator. The nominee should be in regular service throughout the duration of the Fellowship.
Is there any age limit for PI to be eligible for the award?
PI should be within 35-55 years at the time of submission of proposal.
I am already availing another Fellowship. Am I eligible for SERB Power Fellowship?
No, you can avail only one fellowship at a time from government source.
Is the Fellowship received under SERB Power Fellowship taxable?
Yes, the Fellowship received under SERB Power Fellowship is taxable as per I.T. rules.
What are the areas covered under SERB Power Fellowship?
All Areas of Science (in the broadest terms) are covered by this Fellowship.
What is the nature of support the SERB Power Fellow is entitled for?
Nature of Support SERB Power Fellow is entitled for are:
Fellowship of [?]15,000/- per month in addition to regular income. Research grant of [?] 10 lakhs per annum. Overhead for the institute.
What is the duration of the SERB Power Fellowship?
The SERB Power Fellowship duration is for 3 years only, without any possibility of extension.
How many times a person can avail SERB Power Fellowship?
A person can avail SERB Power Fellowship only once. Successful POWER Fellows cannot be nominated for a second time.
When can a person apply for the SERB Power Fellowship? What is the last date of acceptance of the application?
The nominations for the SERB Power Fellowship are accepted throughout the year through online portal only(www.serbonline.in) and there is no last date of acceptance of the nomination.
Who can nominate for SERB Power Fellowship?
Heads of Institutions or Fellows of National academies can send the nominations.
How does a SERB Power Fellow get her subsequent Grant?
The Grant for the subsequent years is released after receiving the two hard copies of Statement of Expenditure (SE) and Utilization Certificate (UC)in the prescribed format (available in the website). The SE and UC are to be submitted financial year wise i.e. from 01stApril to 31stMarch. For the first year it would be from the Date of Start (DOS) to 31stMarch and subsequently from 01stApril to 31stMarch.
Can a fellow change the host institute during implementation of SERB Power Fellowship?
A SERB Power fellow can change the host institute during implementation of SERB Power Fellowship. She has to forward NOCs from both the Institutes along with final financial papers indicating balance unspent grant from the old institute, undertaking certificate and appointment letter from the new Institute indicating the joining date and duration of the appointment.
Is there a provision for extension of the fellowship?
No, there is no provision for extension.
What is the selection criteria of POWER Fellowship?
Selection of POWER Fellows will be made twice a year by a specially constituted Search-cum-Selection Committee.
Under which heads research grant can be used?
Research Grant of [?]10 lakh per annum can be used for minor equipment, research personnel, consumables, contingencies, and domestic travel.
What is the procedure to apply for a SERB Power Fellowship?
In first step, an applicant will fill the application form on online portal. After submission of the form, a mail containing a link will be sent to the nominator by SERB. In second step, nominator will click on the link as provided in the mail to find the details of the application. After verification of the details he/she will forward the nomination to SERB.
Can SERB POWER Fellowship research grant be used for international travel?
No, SERB POWER Fellowship research grant can not be used for international travel.
I am away from my institute/university for more than 6 weeks. Do I have to take permission from SERB?
Yes, you have to take permission from SERB.
I am a SERB-POWER fellow, and I am visiting abroad for more than 8 weeks. Can I avail the fellowship amount and research grant for my duration of visit?
The PI will not be eligible to avail the fellowship amount or receive the research grant and overhead charges under SERB POWER Fellowship during the tenure of visit (if no student is drawing fellowship/salary/emoluments from the project).
I am travelling abroad to attend a conference. Can I use the research grant for the travel expense?
The travel expenses related to foreign assignment will not be covered from the research grant under the SERB POWER Fellowship.
I am a SERB POWER fellow, and I am planning to visit abroad for a certain period as part of one collaboration work. Can I get an extension for that period after the completion of the project?
The PI will not be allowed any kind of extension based on the claimed visit in the SERB POWER Fellowship.
Ready to apply?
Visit the official government portal to apply for this scheme.
Apply on myScheme.gov.inDocuments Required
- Identity proof of candidate
- Passport size photograph
- Proof of age
- Educational Qualifications certificates
- Details of Professional awards/recognition/fellowship
- Bank Details (Bank Account Number, Name of the Bank, Bank Branch, and IFSC Code)
- Any other document, as required