Apply Now: Call for Applications under INSPIRE Faculty Fellowship

Department of Science and Technology, Ministry of Science and Technology Government of India- (A component under INSPIRE scheme) 2024

About the Fellowship

INSPIRE Faculty Fellowship is a component under INSPIRE scheme for young researchers in the age group of 27-32 years. Applications for the year 2024 are invited for INSPIRE Faculty st Fellowship. The upper age limit as on 1 January 2024 is 32 years for General category (i.e. those born on or after 1st January 1992), 37 years for SC/ST/Women (i.e. those born on or after 1st January 1987) and for candidates with benchmark disabilities (Divyangjan with not less than 40 percent of a specified disability) the upper age limit is 42 years (i.e. those born on or after 1 January 1982).

• Eligible candidates may apply only in ONLINE mode on INSPIRE Web-portal
• The call for inviting applications under INSPIRE Faculty Fellowship June-2024 has been opened from 01st June 2024 to 15th July 2024 (till 23:59 hrs. IST)
• The INSPIRE Faculty Fellowship is for a maximum period of 5(five) years.

Under “Innovation in Science Pursuit for Inspired Research (INSPIRE)” scheme of Department of Science and Technology, Government of India, opportunities are provided to meritorious young Indian students to study basic and natural sciences at the college and university level and to pursue research careers in both basic and applied science areas including engineering, medicine, agriculture and veterinary sciences.

• The INSPIRE Faculty Fellowship (IFF) provides an opportunity to doctorates in the age group of 27-32 years for carrying out independent research for 5 years in both basic and applied science areas including engineering, medicine, agriculture, veterinary science and translational research in S&T domain.

Fellowship Amount

Each selected INSPIRE Faculty Fellow will be eligible to receive a consolidated amount of Rs.1,25,000/- per month as fellowship with annual increment of Rs.2,000/-. In addition, a Research Grant of Rs.7,00,000/- every year for 5 years will also be provided to each successful candidate. Consolidated amount of Rs.1,25,000/- per month is an all-inclusive fellowship and taxable as per the Indian IT Act.

Availing of fellowships concurrently from more than one source during the tenure of this Fellowship period is not permitted.

Eligibility:

• Essential: i. Indian citizens and People of Indian origin with PIO status having Ph.D. degree (in science, mathematics, engineering, pharmacy, medicine and agriculture related subjects) from any recognized university in the world.
  • ii. Candidates should possess a minimum of 60% (or equivalent CGPA) marks throughout their academic profile starting from the Senior Secondary Examination (Class 12 onwards).
  • iii. Those who have submitted their Ph.D. thesis and are awaiting the award of degree
    shall also be eligible. However, selection for the Fellowship will be confirmed only after the Ph.D. degree is awarded.
  • iv. The upper age limit as on 1st January 2024 is 32 years for General Category. However, for SC/ST/Women candidates, the upper age limit will be 37 years on the said date. For persons with benchmark disabilities (Divyangjan with not less than 40 percent of a specified disability), the upper age limit will be 42 years.
  • v. Publication(s) in highly reputed journals demonstrating outstanding research potential of the candidate. However, candidates applying for Faculty Fellowship in the new subject area ‘Translational Research in S&T’ should have at least two patents filed or one patent granted to their credit.
  • vi. In case of selection under area ‘Translational Research in S&T’, it is mandatory that the Host institution must be chosen as those S&T institutions which have Central/State Govt supported Technology Business Incubators (TBIs), so that the deep-tech research can be mentored and carried out in conjunction with the TBI. (For reference, applicants may visit https://www.nstedb.com/List-NSTEDB- TBIs.htm.)
  • vii. Candidates who are employed in regular/contractual positions within India may also apply for INSPIRE Faculty Fellowship for improvement and enhancement in their career prospects but, upon selection, the candidates will need to resign (no lien or deputation or any type of leave would be accepted) from the current job and organization before taking up the INSPIRE Faculty Fellowship. The candidates, who get selected for regular position in any institute/university after submission of IFF application, would be entitled to receive the Research Grant only if selected as INSPIRE Faculty Fellows.

Desirable: Candidates who are within top 1% in Class 12 examination, IIT-JEE, NEET rank holders, 1st rank holders either in graduation or post-graduation level university examinations.

How to Apply

i. Interested and eligible students must apply and submit their application with all essential documents through ONLINE mode only. Applications are to be submitted online on INSPIRE web-portal https://www.online-inspire.gov.in. Those interested in submitting application have to register at this portal and submit the application online. Please read guidelines available on the portal carefully before submitting
the application. This web- portal will be open from 1 st June, 2024 to 15 th July, 2024 (till 23:59 hrs. IST) for submission of applications.

Visit Here to Apply

For further enquiries regarding INSPIRE-Faculty Fellowship component, please send email to: inspire.prog-dst@nic.in. For queries, please call on 0124-6690020, 0124- 6690021

Instructions for filling Online Application:

• Applications must be submitted through online mode only. Application will not be accepted in any other mode except online mode. To apply Online, please visit the website: https://www.online-inspire.gov.in and follow the process prescribed therein.
• Please click the link below to download guidelines and FAQs for filling up on-line applications: https://online-inspire.gov.in.
• Applicants are advised to take a print out of submitted online application for own records. Please do not send application or any other documents by Post.
• Incomplete or wrongly filled up application or application lacking essential documents shall be summarily rejected.
• Applicant’s own valid and functional email address must be used for submission of online application. Status of application shall be informed only through INSPIRE Web-Portal. Applicant needs to login into own (registered) account to view the status. Use of Institute’s email ID is not permitted.
• Do not submit more than one application. Please ensure that all aspects of application are correct before submitting.
• Any legal proceedings in respect to any matter of claim or dispute arising out of this advertisement and/or application can be lodged only in Delhi Courts/ Tribunals/ Forums. Delhi Courts/Tribunal/Forums only shall have the sole and exclusive jurisdiction to try any case/dispute.