INSPIRE Fellowship: A Gateway To Advanced Scientific Research
The INSPIRE Fellowship is a key initiative under the INSPIRE scheme, implemented by the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India. It aims to bolster the country's scientific and technological base by attracting talented students to pursue doctoral degrees in basic and applied sciences, including engineering, medicine, agriculture, veterinary science, and pharmacy. This comprehensive fellowship provides financial and academic support to promising scholars, encouraging them to undertake significant research in their chosen fields.
Duration and Eligibility
The INSPIRE Fellowship is tenable for a maximum period of five years or until the completion of the Ph.D. programme, whichever is earlier. The fellowship targets students who have achieved top ranks in their postgraduate examinations in basic and applied sciences or those who have secured first ranks at the graduate/post-graduate level in medicine. To be eligible, students must have completed their master’s degree in science/engineering or a bachelor’s/master’s degree in medicine with a minimum aggregate of 70% marks.
Financial Support and Benefits
Housing Rent Allowance (HRA): Fellows are entitled to HRA as per Government of India norms, depending on the location of their host institution.
Contingency Grant: The fellowship includes a contingency grant of ₹20,000 per annum to cover research-related expenses. Any unspent balance can be carried over to the next year, but the total amount should not exceed ₹20,000.
Internship Opportunities: INSPIRE Fellows can avail of short-term research internships at national or international laboratories, universities, or institutes for up to 18 months during the fellowship tenure. This exposure to different research environments significantly enhances their academic and professional development.
Upgradation from JRF to SRF
INSPIRE Fellows initially start as Junior Research Fellows (JRF) and can be upgraded to Senior Research Fellows (SRF) after two years. However, this upgradation can occur after one year if the fellow has published at least one research paper as the first author in an international peer-reviewed journal based on their Ph.D. work.
Application Process
The application process for the INSPIRE Fellowship is conducted online, and calls for applications are typically announced in the third or fourth quarter of each financial year. Eligible students must apply through the INSPIRE web portal, following the detailed guidelines provided. The application involves filling out personal particulars, educational qualifications, eligibility criteria, Ph.D. enrolment details, and current employment details if applicable.
Steps to Apply Online
- Log in to the INSPIRE portal using the registered email ID and password.
- Click on the ‘Fellowship’ link and then the ‘Apply for Fellowship’ button.
- Fill in the mandatory fields, including personal particulars, contact details, educational qualifications, eligibility criteria, Ph.D. enrolment, and current employment details.
- Complete the declaration, enter the place, date, and verification code (CAPTCHA), and submit the application.
- Save all details before proceeding to the next section, and note that the application cannot be edited once submitted.
The selection process for the INSPIRE Fellowship involves a two-tier system. Initially, an internal committee screens the eligible applications. This is followed by a final selection by an expert committee, ensuring that the most deserving candidates are chosen. The entire process is expected to be completed within six months from the last date of application submission. Results are communicated to selected candidates through the online INSPIRE portal.
Post-Selection Requirements
After selection, INSPIRE Fellows must adhere to several criteria to continue receiving the fellowship
- Progress Updates: Fellows must keep DST updated about their research progress during the fellowship tenure.
- Academic Focus: Fellows should not take on any paid or unpaid assignments unrelated to their approved research programme. However, they may assist the host institution in academic activities if it does not hinder their research progress.
- Completion of Research: Fellows are expected to complete their research work within the five-year tenure.
- Acknowledgement: All publications, patents, and the Ph.D. thesis must acknowledge the support provided by DST.
- Submission of Thesis and Research Papers: A soft copy of the Ph.D. thesis, published research papers, and patent details must be submitted to the INSPIRE Programme Division of DST.
The fellowship may be terminated under several conditions, including non-acceptance of the final offer within 30 days, completion of the Ph.D. viva-voce or five-year tenure, resignation before Ph.D. completion, and change of host institution without prior DST approval. In cases of unethical behaviour or submission of incorrect information, fellows may be required to refund the entire fellowship grant with interest.