Call for Applications under INSPIRE Faculty Fellowship

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.

Eligibility :
1. 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 2025 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 nstedb.com/List-NSTEDB- TBIs.htm.)
vii. Candidates already holding a permanent academic or research position are not eligible to apply.
viii. Candidates who are employed contractual positions within India may apply under INSPIRE Faculty Fellowship for improvement and enhancement of 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.
2. 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.

B) Fellowship :
i. 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. 3
ii. 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.

How to Apply
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 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 15th August, 2025 to 14th September, 2025 (till 23:59 hrs. IST) for submission of applications.

Instructions for filling Online Application :
i. 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: online-inspire.gov.in and follow the process prescribed therein.
ii. Please click the link below to download and read the guidelines and FAQs before filling up on-line applications: https://online-inspire.gov.in.
iii. Applicants must ensure that all required documents are uploaded in a complete, clear, and relevant manner. Incomplete or improper submissions will lead to rejection of the application without any further correspondence.
iv. Applicants are advised to take a print out of submitted online application for own records. Do not send any hard copy of the application or any other documents by Post.
v. Applicant’s own valid and functional E. Mail and What’s App number (especially those applying from abroad) must be used in online application. Use Personal E. Mail ID for registration. Use of Institutional E. Mail IDs is not permitted. Status of application shall be informed only to the registered E. Mail from the INSPIRE Web-Portal. Applicant needs to login into own (registered) account to view the status.
vi. Do not submit more than one application. Please ensure that all aspects of application are correct before submitting.
vii. 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.

Last Date of Application Submission : 14 September 2025 (till 23:59 hrs. IST).