Fellowship for women scientists for research in S&T

The “Women Scientists Scheme (WOS)” is an initiative of the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Govt. of India for providing opportunities to women scientists and technologists between the age group of 30-50 years who desire to return to mainstream science and work as bench-level scientists.

Under this scheme, women scientists are being encouraged to pursue research in frontier areas of science and engineering, on problems of societal relevance and to take up S&T-based internship followed by self-employment.

Category

The following categories of scholarships are available with research grants for Indian citizen. Scholarships are envisaged in both institutional and non-institutional modes. Under the institutional mode, national and state-level organizations, recognized universities, educations and R&D laboratories would be considered for grant by the Department.

S&T - based Non-Government, Voluntary and Non-Profit organisation, working on societal issues and having the legal status of a registered society would be considered under the non-institutional mode.

The various categories of Scholarship available are as below:

Scholarship for Research in Basic/Applied Science (WOS-A): This category of scholarships is meant to encourage women scientists to pursue R&D in emerging and frontier areas of Science and Engineering. The women scientists will be provided flexibility to undertake research at a suitable institution depending on their area of interest. These scholarships are expected to provide opportunities to women scientists to get into scientific profession so that they are able to contribute to Science and Technology development.

Scholarship for Research in S&T - based Societal Programs (WOS-B): This scholarship is specially intended to encourage women scientists involved in research and application of innovative solutions for various societal issues. This scholarship would be made available to the aspiring women scientists willing to work for the search, design, adaptation and demonstration of Science and Technological skills and techniques for development of the society.

Internship for the Self-Employment (WOS-C): This category is mainly focused to provide an opportunity to women scientists for self-employment by utilizing their specialized domain knowledge in areas such as patenting, proof reading, science journalism, technical translation, clinical pathology labs, medical transcription etc. The objective of this scholarship is to create a large pool of trained women workforce with experience in the diverse areas mentioned above and building up a professional network.

Eligibility

Indian Nationals living in India and who possess one of the following qualification

WOS-A: The minimum essential qualification are PG degree equivalent to MSc in Basic or Applied Science, B Tech in Engineering Sciences and MBBS or other equivalent professional qualifications. The desirable qualifications are Ph.D. in Basic or Applied Science, M Tech in Engineering Sciences and MD/MS, DM/MCH in Medical Sciences from recognized Universities. Maximum age limits for these scholarships are 35 and 50 years for post graduate and doctorate candidates respectively.

WOS-B: The minimum essential qualifications are PG degree equivalent to M.Sc in basic or Applied Science, B Tech in Engineering Science and MBBS or other equivalent professional qualifications. The desirable qualifications are PhD in Basic or Applied Science, M.Tech in Engineering Science and MD/MS, DM/MCH in Medical Science from recognized Universities. Cut off age for the candidate is 50 years. The candidates should also have working experience and linkages with the relevant organization to carry out research on R&D projects of societal relevance.


WOS-C: Essential qualifications are MSc/BTech/MBBS for training in S&T based specialized courses (e.g. patent related issues, management courses, publishing activities, science journalism, clinical pathology labs, proof reading for science books/journals, bio technology industry also specific to the rural sectors, science translation, medical transcription etc.).

Period of internship would not be more than one year. Minimum qualifying age for the candidates should not be less than 26 years.

The candidates must have break in career and a potential for self- employment. The candidate must be associated with some institution, industry, NGO etc. for getting trained in the subject area.
A scholarship of Rs. 10,000/- pm will be awarded during the internship period.

Value and Duration

WOS-A: The selected candidates will be given upto Rs. 20,000/- pm as Research Scholarship. This would be part of a research project which will also have provisions for small pieces of equipment, contingencies, travel, consumables and institutional overhead charges. The upper limit on Cost of these projects including the scholarship amount would be Rs. 17 lakhs for a period of three years.

WOS-B: The selected candidate will be awarded upto Rs. 10,000/- pm (for Post Graduate in science and bachelors in Engineering and Medicine) and Rs. 15,000/- pm (for Doctorate in Science and Masters in Engineering and Medicine) as Research Scholarships and a research grant up to a maximum limit of Rs. 15 lakhs including the scholarship amount for a period of three years to cover the cost of small equipment, travel, contingencies, consumables and institutional overhead charges.

Contact

For WOS-A

SERC Division,
Department of Science and Technology,
Technology Bhawan
New Delhi - 110 016

For WOS-B

S&S Division,
Department of Science and Technology,
Technology Bhawan
New Delhi - 110 016


For WOS-C
Ms Sangeeta Nagar
Patent Facilitating Centre- TIFAC,
Department of Science and Technology
Vishwakarma Bhawan
A Wing, 5th Floor
New Delhi - 110 016
Phone : 011- 26592802/26967458
Fax : 011-26863866
Email: s_nagar@tifac.org.in

For more information please contact:

Dr. V Rao Aiyagari,
Adviser & Member - Secretary (SERC),
Department of Science & Technology,
Technology Bhawan,
New Mehrauli Road,
New Delhi-110 016.,
Telefax: 011-26963695
Website: http://dst.gov.in