Women’s Instinct for Developing and Ushering in Scientific Heights & Innovation
₹75,000/month fellowship + ₹5L/year grant · senior women scientists · interdisciplinary research
WIDUSHI is a fellowship program by the Department of Science & Technology for senior women scientists who are retiring, retired, or not in regular employment. It provides monthly fellowships of ₹75,000–₹85,000 plus a ₹5 lakh annual research grant to conduct interdisciplinary scientific research for up to 5 years. Apply online through the DST e-PMS portal at onlinedst.gov.in.
About This Scheme
WIDUSHI is a fellowship program by the Department of Science & Technology for senior women scientists who are retiring, retired, or not in regular employment. It provides monthly fellowships of ₹75,000–₹85,000 plus a ₹5 lakh annual research grant to conduct interdisciplinary scientific research for up to 5 years. Apply online through the DST e-PMS portal at onlinedst.gov.in.
Full official description
A new programme “Women's Instinct for Developing and Ushering in Scientific Heights & Innovations (WIDUSHI)” is started by the Department of Science and Technology (DST) under its umbrella scheme “Women in Science and Engineering-KIRAN (WISE-KIRAN)” for senior women scientists to harness their knowledge and potential for the betterment of Science and Society. WIDUSHI programme aims to encourage and support senior women scientists to conduct research in interdisciplinary areas of Science and Technology. Proposals are invited from senior women scientists in the following scientific disciplines:
Physical & Mathematical Sciences
Chemical Sciences
Life Sciences
Earth & Atmospheric Sciences
Engineering & Technology
S&T based Societal Research
Target Group: The target group is categorized into the following 2 categories: Category-A: Retiring or retired Women Scientist Category-B: Senior Women Scientists who are not in regular employment Project Duration: The maximum duration of the project is 5 years.
Benefits
- Category A fellowship: ₹75,000/month to the Principal Investigator
- Category B fellowship: ₹85,000/month to the Principal Investigator
- Research grant of ₹5,00,000 per year
- Institutional overhead of ₹1,00,000 per year
- Support for one Research Assistant
- Disciplines covered: Physical & Mathematical Sciences, Chemical Sciences, Life Sciences, Earth & Atmospheric Sciences, Engineering & Technology, and S&T-based Societal Research
💡 Why Startups Should Care
WIDUSHI Fellows receive ₹75K/month — competitive with senior industry roles — and have active interdisciplinary research programmes. If your deeptech startup needs an experienced scientific advisor or CTO-track hire, WIDUSHI fellows are funded, credentialed, and engaged.
Who Can Apply (Eligibility)
- Must be a woman scientist with a Ph.D. in Basic or Applied Sciences
- Category A (Retiring/Retired): Permanent employee retiring within a year or already retired/superannuated; age 57–62; minimum 20 research publications with impact factor; at least 2 completed R&D projects as Principal Investigator
- Category B (Not in regular employment): Women working temporarily or not in permanent employment; age 45–62; minimum 10 research publications with impact factor; at least 2 completed R&D projects as Principal Investigator
- Must identify a permanent faculty member as Co-Investigator for the duration of the project
- Project duration up to 5 years
How to Apply
- Submit proposals throughout the year through the DST online portal at onlinedst.gov.in.
- Download the proposal format from dst.gov.in or onlinedst.gov.in.
- Prepare and submit the complete project proposal through the portal.
- Shortlisted candidates are evaluated and selected based on research plan and track record.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the “WIDUSHI” programme?
The programme "Women's Instinct for Developing and Ushering in Scientific Heights & Innovations (WIDUSHI)" is started by the Department of Science and Technology (DST) under its umbrella scheme "Women in Science and Engineering-KIRAN (WISE-KIRAN)" for senior women scientists to harness their knowledge and potential for the betterment of Science and Society.
What is the aim of this programme?
WIDUSHI programme aims to encourage and support senior women scientists to conduct research in interdisciplinary areas of Science and Technology.
Which is the implementing agency of this programme?
Department of Science & Technology, Government of India
Who can apply for the Programme?
The following are the primary eligibility criteria- For Category A: Women Scientists who are permanent employees but retiring in a year or already retired/superannuated from government academic/research institutions. For Category B: Women who are not permanent employees in any institution but working temporarily and have completed 2 independent research projects as Principal Investigator.
What are the areas covered under this Programme?
- Physical & Mathematical Sciences
- Chemical Sciences
- Life Sciences
- Earth & Atmospheric Sciences
- Engineering & Technology
- S&T based Societal Research
What is the nature of support provided to the selected scientists?
Category A: The Programme provides fellowship to the Principal Investigator @[?]75,000/- per month, One Research Assistant, Research Grant of [?]5.0 Lakh per year and Institutional overhead charges @[?]1.00 lakh per annum. Category B: The Programme provides fellowship to the Principal Investigator @[?]85,000/- per month, One Research Assistant, Research Grant of [?]5.0 Lakh per year and Institutional overhead charges @[?]1.00 lakh per annum.
What is the age criterion to apply under the programme?
For Category A: The age of the applicant should be between 57 to 62 years. For Category B: The age of the applicant should be between 45 to 62 years.
What shall be tenure of the project?
The maximum duration of the project is 5 years.
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 programme?
The call is open for proposal submission under WISE-KIRAN 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
- Aadhaar card or PAN card (identity proof)
- SC/ST/OBC/PH certificate (if claiming age relaxation)
- Educational certificates
- Proof of age
- Proof of research experience
- List and details of publications and patents