SERB Research Scientist Scheme
₹1.2 lakh/month + ₹7L/year research grant · INSPIRE/Ramanujan fellows post-tenure · up to 3 years
The SERB Research Scientist Scheme provides a 2-year bridge fellowship to INSPIRE Faculty and Ramanujan Fellows who have completed their 5-year tenure but have not yet secured a permanent academic position. Fellows receive ₹1.2 lakh per month (all-inclusive) plus ₹7 lakh per year for research. Applications are accepted year-round and submitted offline to SERB's New Delhi office.
About This Scheme
The SERB Research Scientist Scheme provides a 2-year bridge fellowship to INSPIRE Faculty and Ramanujan Fellows who have completed their 5-year tenure but have not yet secured a permanent academic position. Fellows receive ₹1.2 lakh per month (all-inclusive) plus ₹7 lakh per year for research. Applications are accepted year-round and submitted offline to SERB's New Delhi office.
Full official description
The INSPIRE Faculty Scheme of the Department of Science and Technology (DST) and the Ramanujan Fellowship Scheme of the Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB) offer opportunities for young scientists to initiate and sustain research careers in various fields of science and engineering. These schemes do not offer an extension of the fellowship after the completion of five years. The support link is broken after the end of the tenure of the respective fellowships. In order to provide a platform for the sustainment of their research for some more time, the SERB Board has recently approved a new ‘SERB Research Scientist (SRS) Scheme’ for the awardees of INSPIRE Faculty and Ramanujan Fellowships, who fail to secure regular positions after completion of the regular tenure of five years in the respective schemes. The fellows will be called ‘SERB Research Scientists’. The scheme provides an opportunity for them to continue their research activities and also to explore regular positions during the intervening period.
Objective:
Identify and provide a platform for sustainment of the research career of INSPIRE Faculty and Ramanujan Fellows for an additional period of two years after completion of the regular tenure of five years in the respective schemes.
Benefits
- Consolidated emolument of ₹1,20,000 per month (all-inclusive) for the duration of the scheme
- Research grant of ₹7,00,000 per year (for minor equipment, consumables, contingencies, and travel — no manpower support provided)
- Overhead of ₹1,00,000 per year for the host institution
- Initial period of 2 years, extendable by 1 more year subject to performance review (maximum 3 years total)
💡 Why Startups Should Care
If your INSPIRE or Ramanujan fellowship is ending and you haven't secured a permanent position, this scheme buys 2–3 more years of funded research at ₹1.2L/month — valuable runway to either land a tenure-track role or spin out a startup from your research.
Who Can Apply (Eligibility)
- Only open to former INSPIRE Faculty (DST) or Ramanujan Fellows (SERB)
- Must have completed or be nearing completion of their 5-year fellowship tenure
- Upper age limit: 40 years at the time of applying
- Can only avail this scheme once in a career
- Must be tenable only in India at a recognized academic institution, national lab, or R&D institution
- Cannot work at the same department/institution where you earned your PhD, MS, or MD degree
How to Apply
- Apply within 6 months before or after completing your INSPIRE Faculty or Ramanujan Fellowship tenure
- Monitor notifications on serb.gov.in, serbonline.in, and dst.gov.in
- Download the application format (Annexure I) from the SERB website
- Print and fill 3 copies of the application on A4 paper (both sides)
- Post 3 physical copies to: Dr. Harish Kumar, Scientist F, SERB, 3rd & 4th Floor, Block II, Technology Bhawan, New Mehrauli Road, New Delhi – 110016
- Also email a soft copy to harishkumar@nic.in with subject line 'SERB Research Scientist (your subject area)'
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the “SERB Research Scientist Scheme”?
SERB Board has launched a new 'SERB Research Scientist (SRS) Scheme' for the awardees of INSPIRE Faculty and Ramanujan Fellowships, who fail to secure regular positions after completion of the regular tenure of five years in the respective schemes. The scheme provides an opportunity for them to continue their research activities and also to explore regular positions during the intervening period.
What is the objective of the Scheme?
The objective of the scheme is to identify and provide a platform for sustainment of the research career of INSPIRE Faculty and Ramanujan Fellows for an additional period of two years after completion of the regular tenure of five years in the respective schemes.
Which is the implementing agency of this scheme?
Science and Engineering Research Board, Government of India
What are the eligibility criteria for applying/availing the Fellowship?
The scheme is open only to INSPIRE Faculty and Ramanujan Fellows. The applicant should have completed or nearing completion of the tenure of INSPIRE Faculty of DST or Ramanujan Fellowship of SERB. The upper age limit for INSPIRE Faculty/Ramanujan Fellows is 40 years at the time of submission of application.
What are the areas covered under this Fellowship?
Chemical Sciences, Earth & Atmospheric Sciences, Engineering Sciences, Life Sciences, Mathematical Sciences, Physical Sciences
What is the nature of support for the Fellow?
Under this scheme, Emolument: Consolidated amount of [?]1,20,000/- per month Research Grant [?]7,00,000/- per annum Overheads [?]1,00,000/- per annum.
Can a fellow (SERB Research Scientist) be eligible to receive any other research project/fellowship?
No, the SERB Research Scientists are not eligible to receive any other research project/fellowship from any Government or Non-Governmental source during the tenure of the Scheme.
How many times can a fellow avail this fellowship?
Only once, the eligible fellow can avail this fellowship in his/her career.
What is the duration of this fellowship?
The scheme is tenable for a period of 2 years, extendable to one more year, subject to performance evaluation. Under any circumstances, the support is not extendable beyond three years.
When can an applicant apply for the Fellowship? What is the last date of acceptance of the application?
The application for SRS will be opened throughout the year. Application shall be submitted within six months before or after completion of regular tenure of the schemes. However, previous batches may be allowed to apply now at the opening of this new scheme.
How can an application submit under the scheme?
The candidates should submit 3 copies of the application printed on both sides of A4 size paper and send to: Dr. Harish Kumar, Scientist F Science and Engineering Research Board 3rd & 4th floor, Block -II, Technology Bhawan, New Mehrauli Road, New Delhi- 110016, INDIA
How will the applications be evaluated?
The application will be evaluated by a Selection Committee constituted for the purpose. The Committee may consider the performance evaluation by the relevant subject expert committee during the tenure of the INSPIRE Faculty/Ramanujan Fellowship Scheme. If required, the applicants may be called for personal interviews.
Ready to apply?
Visit the official government portal to apply for this scheme.
Apply on myScheme.gov.inDocuments Required
- Passport-size photograph
- Bio-data of the applicant
- Age proof certificate
- Qualification certificate
- Award letter from INSPIRE Faculty or Ramanujan Fellowship
- Undertaking certificate from the applicant
- Endorsement certificate from the host institute