Women In Science and Engineering-Societal Challenges with Opportunities Fellowship
₹55,000/month + ₹2L/year grant · women scientists · societal challenges research
The WISE-SCOPE Fellowship, offered by the Department of Science and Technology, supports unemployed women PhD scientists aged 27–60 who want to use their expertise to solve real-world societal problems in areas like energy, water, agriculture, health, or climate change. Fellows receive ₹55,000/month plus research grants for up to 3 years for projects with a clear technology development and scale-up potential. Applications are accepted year-round through the DST ePMS portal (onlinedst.gov.in).
About This Scheme
The WISE-SCOPE Fellowship, offered by the Department of Science and Technology, supports unemployed women PhD scientists aged 27–60 who want to use their expertise to solve real-world societal problems in areas like energy, water, agriculture, health, or climate change. Fellows receive ₹55,000/month plus research grants for up to 3 years for projects with a clear technology development and scale-up potential. Applications are accepted year-round through the DST ePMS portal (onlinedst.gov.in).
Full official description
The “Women In Science and Engineering-Societal Challenges with Opportunities (WISE-SCOPE) Fellowship” Program was started by the Department of Science & Technology, Government of India to provide opportunities to Women Scientists and Technologists who have completed Ph.D. and want to utilize their Science & Technology knowledge and expertise for the benefit of society. This program promotes projects that directly deal with challenges at the grassroots level and address them through Science & Technology interventions. Projects under WISE-SCOPE (WISE-Societal Challenges with Opportunities) should provide Science & Technology solutions to our social problems, livelihood generation, drudgery reduction, health and nutrition-related issues, management of natural resources, sustainable agriculture, climate change, disaster management, etc. The project proposal should include the development of viable technology/technique with the possibility of lab-to-land transfer, adaptation and scaling up for the benefit of society under the following identified broad thematic areas.
Energy, Water and Waste Management (EWWM)
Engineering and Technology Development (ETD)
Environment, Climate and Sustainable Development (ECSD)
Agriculture and Allied Sciences (AAS)
Health, Food, and Nutrition (HFN)
Project Tenure:
The project tenure shall be up to 3 years.
Benefits
- Monthly fellowship of ₹55,000 plus House Rent Allowance (HRA) as per DST norms
- Research Grant of ₹2 lakh/year
- Field demonstration and knowledge dissemination support of ₹1 lakh (for the full project tenure)
- Equipment cost support up to ₹2 lakh (one-time)
- Institutional overhead charges as per DST norms
- Fellowship valid for up to 3 years
💡 Why Startups Should Care
WISE-SCOPE fellows work on real-world societal challenges — water, health, agriculture, waste — with government grants and field demonstration budgets. If your startup operates in social impact sectors, collaborating with a WISE-SCOPE fellow gives you research credibility and co-implementation capacity.
Who Can Apply (Eligibility)
- Must be a woman with a PhD in Basic or Applied Sciences (or equivalent: MD/MS/MDS)
- Age: 27–60 years as of the application date
- Must not be in regular full-time employment (temporary positions allowed if relinquished upon selection)
- Research proposal must address societal challenges under one of five thematic areas: Energy/Water/Waste Management, Engineering & Technology, Environment/Climate/Sustainable Development, Agriculture & Allied Sciences, or Health/Food/Nutrition
- Project must include viable technology development with potential for lab-to-land transfer and scaling up
How to Apply
- Submit proposals through the ePMS portal at onlinedst.gov.in — the call is open throughout the year.
- Download the proposal format from dst.gov.in or onlinedst.gov.in.
- Prepare your complete project proposal and obtain endorsement from your host institution's head.
- Submit through the portal with all required documents including consent letter from your mentor.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the aim of this program?
The aim of the program is to provide opportunities to Women Scientists and Technologists who have completed Ph.D. and want to utilize their Science & Technology knowledge and expertise for the benefit of society.
Which is the implementing department of this program?
Department of Science & Technology, Government of India
Who can apply for the Fellowship?
Women Scientists who have completed a Ph.D. in Basic or Applied Sciences or have equivalent degrees like MD/MS/MDS are eligible for the WISE-SCOPE fellowship.
What are the thematic areas covered under this Fellowship?
- Energy, Water and Waste Management (EWWM)
- Engineering and Technology Development (ETD)
- Environment, Climate and Sustainable Development (ECSD)
- Agriculture and Allied Sciences (AAS)
- Health, Food, and Nutrition (HFN)
What is the nature of support for the Fellow?
- Under this Program, a fellowship amount of [?]55,000/- and HRA (as per norms) per month will be given to the eligible candidates.
- The selected fellow will also be eligible for a Research Grant of [?]2.00 Lakhs per year, a Field Demonstration, etc. of [?]1.00 Lakh (for project tenure), and the cost of small equipment (up to a maximum of [?]2.00 Lakhs) along with Institutional overhead charges as per DST norms.
What is the age criterion to apply under the program?
The minimum age to apply is 27 years and the maximum is 60 years as of the date of submission.
Can a candidate having regular employment apply under the program?
No, the candidates in regular employment are not eligible for WISE-SCOPE fellowship.
What shall be tenure of the project?
The project tenure shall be up to 3 years.
Can a woman scientist who is temporarily employed apply to this program?
Yes, the women scientists who are temporarily employed in research or academics may apply to this program but they have to leave earlier assignments, if, selected for the WISE-SCOPE program.
What is the last date for receipt of Application?
The online Application portal is open throughout the year for proposal submission.
How to apply under the program?
The call is open for proposal submission under WISE-SCOPE at ePMS (https://onlinedst.gov.in).
Ready to apply?
Visit the official government portal to apply for this scheme.
Apply on myScheme.gov.inDocuments Required
- CV of mentor
- Conflict of Interest policy document
- Endorsement from head of host institution
- Complete project proposal
- Highest degree certificate
- Consent letter from mentor
- Undertaking from the applicant