Department of Science and Technology, Ministry of Science and Technology, Government of India, has invited applications for the year 2024 under INSPIRE Faculty Fellowship 2024, a component under Innovation in Science Pursuit for Inspired Research (INSPIRE) scheme, for young researchers.

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.

Eligibility: Essential: Applicants should be Indian citizens and People of Indian origin with PIO status having Ph.D. degree in one of Science, Mathematics, Engineering, Pharmacy, Medicine or Agriculture related subjects, from any recognized university in the world. Applicant should possess a minimum of 60% (or equivalent CGPA) marks throughout their academic profile starting from the Senior Secondary Examination (Class 12 onwards). 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.

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. 

Applicants should have publication(s) in highly reputed journals demonstrating their outstanding research potential. However, those 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. 

In case of selection under ‘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. Applicants may visit https://www.nstedb.com/List-NSTEDB- TBIs.htm for details. 

Those 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, they will need to resign from the current job and organization before taking up the INSPIRE Faculty Fellowship. No lien or deputation or any type of leave would be accepted. Those 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: It is desirable that applicants 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.

Fellowship: The INSPIRE Faculty Fellowship is for a maximum period of 5(five) years. Availing of fellowships concurrently from more than one source during the tenure of this Fellowship period is not permitted. 

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. 

Application: Application with essential documents may be submitted online latest by 23:59 hrs. IST on 15th July, 2024, at https://www.online-inspire.gov.in. Applicants have to register at this portal and submit the application online. Detailed Notification and Guidelines are available at the ‘Faculty’ link at website. 

For further enquiries regarding INSPIRE-Faculty Fellowship component, email to: inspire.prog-dst@nic.in. 

For queries, call on 0124-6690020, 0124- 6690021