FAQ

INSPIRE Faculty Fellowship Scheme is a component under Innovation in Science Pursuit for Inspired Research (INSPIRE), which is a flagship programme of the Department of Science and Technology (DST), under the Ministry of Science and Technology, Government of India. It offers contractual research fellowships to young achievers and opportunity for independent research in the near term and emerges as a leader in future science & technology. The guideline of this component is available at http://www.online-inspire.gov.in.
[Back To Top]

Indian citizens and people of Indian origin including NRI/PIO status with PhD (in Science, Mathematics, Engineering, Pharmacy, Medicine, and Agriculture related subjects) from any recognized university in the world. Those who have submitted their PhD Theses and are awaiting award of the degree are also eligible. However, the Fellowship will be conveyed only after confirmation of the awarding the PhD degree.
[Back To Top]

The INSPIRE Faculty Fellowship is tenable for a maximum period of 5 (five) years and no further extension will be given as per existing rules.
[Back To Top]

Call for applications are advertised once in a year in the month of July/August in the online portal. The online application link can be found athttp://www.inspire-dst.gov.in for regular updates. The online application link can be found here: http://www.online-inspire.gov.in or at http://www.inspire-dst.gov.in or at http://www.inspire-dst.gov.in.
[Back To Top]

A maximum of 100 INSPIRE Faculty Fellowship are to be awarded this year subject to rigorous and transparent criteria basis met by the potential aspirants. The number may vary.
[Back To Top]

One can apply for the Faculty Fellowship scheme through online portal only. To apply online, please follow the linkhttp://www.online-inspire.gov.in
[Back To Top]

The upper age limit as on 1st Jan of the year of advertisement for General category applicants is 32 years. However, the upper age limit for SC/ST/Women candidates will be 37 years. For persons with bench mark disability the upper age limit, is 42 years. http://www.online-inspire.gov.in
[Back To Top]

Each fellow shall receive fellowship of Rs 1,25,000/- per month with an annual increment of Rs. 2000/- and Rs 35 lakh (at the rate of Rs 7.0 lakh per year) of Research Grant for 5 years.
[Back To Top]

Yes, it includes the carry-forwarded amount from previous year, if any.
[Back To Top]

The Research Grant of Rs. 35 lakh for 5 years at the rate of Rs. 7.0 lakh per year can be utilized in any budget head flexibly.
However, Expenditure under Travel and Contingencies would be limited to 10% each and Overhead 5%. Each fellow needs to provide proposal with detailed break up as above for utilization of Research Grant to INSPIRE–DST. Fellow/ Host Institution needs to adhere the approved break up for entire period of 5 years. [Back To Top]

Candidates who are employed at the time of application (in any form i.e. permanent, contractual etc.) with any organization within India are eligible to apply. However, they have to relinquish their jobs for accepting INSPIRE Faculty Fellowship. No lien/deputation/ leave will be allowed.
[Back To Top]

When a fellow finds a permanent position during the Fellowship tenure of 5 years, the fellowship amount shall be discontinued from the day the Fellow joins the permanent position. But the fellow may continue with the INSPIRE Faculty Fellowship Scheme availing only the Research Grant for the remaining period to carry out research at the new position.
[Back To Top]

Provision is available for supporting research staff out of Research Grant support during the fellowship tenure of 5 years. In the event of getting employment elsewhere other than the present Host Institute, the fellow could also be allowed to move the research staff along with him/her to new place within the country.
[Back To Top]

The INSPIRE Faculty Fellowship is eligible for applying for any competitive grants from all funding agencies during the tenure of the INSPIRE Faculty Fellowship.
[Back To Top]

Fellow shall be eligible to undertake short-term visit at any national or international Laboratory/ University/ Institute for further exposure and training to carry out research activities up to a maximum period of 18 months in multiple slots during 5 years of Fellowship tenure. However, this period will be treated as part of the fellowship period and it can be availed only after one year of positioning at the Host Institute.
[Back To Top]

The INSPIRE Faculty Fellowship is generally required to be implemented at any recognized Institute/ University/ Laboratory in the country other than the Institute/ University/ Laboratory where the candidate has received his/her PhD degree or have undertaken PhD/post PhD research Activities.
[Back To Top]

1. Indian National Science Academy (INSA), New Delhi in coordination with DST implements this INSPIRE Faculty Fellowship Scheme up to the selection of candidates for awarding INSPIRE Faculty Fellowship.
2. Selection process involves recommendations by Discipline-based Expert Committee followed by final selection by the Apex Level Committee.
3. Discipline-wise committees of INSA evaluate and shortlist the candidates.
4. The Apex Committee shall finally select short-listed candidates for offering INSPIRE Faculty Fellowship under this Scheme and decision of the Apex Committee for selecting candidates in this Scheme shall be the final.
5. Candidates, who have not identified host institutions at the time of their application, should do so immediately after their final selection. All selected candidates should avail the INSPIRE Faculty Fellowship within 3 months of their final selection.

1. Host institutions should be encouraged to provide a congenial atmosphere for the fellows to excel in their work, and should view them as potential assets for faculty development
2. Under no circumstances the “INSPIRE Faculty Fellowship” is renewable after 5 years. Host-institutions are expected to consider “INSPIRE Faculty” for permanent positions in due course, subject to meeting institutions’ performance assessment criteria.
3. Host Institute shall provide access to all common infrastructural facilities including equipments, Computational facility and library, acceptable laboratory and office space during the tenure of the Fellowship.
4. Host Institute assumes to undertake the financial and other management responsibilities for implementation of the INSPIRE Faculty Fellowship for 5 years on behalf of the Fellow and shall be responsible for all accounting purposes with the DST-INSPIRE Program. Host Institute will be required to provide Financial Statements every year to consider releasing next installment to Fellow.

1. Access to all common infrastructural facilities, acceptable laboratory and office space (independently or on shared basis), computing, library access, etc.
2. Information on whether desirable new areas/directions of research are being introduced through this scheme,
3. Information on whether the INSPIRE Faculty Fellow will be allowed to supervise PhD students, hire research fellows, independently or jointly with a permanent faculty member
4. 4.Host-institution’s willingness to consider the candidate for a permanent position in due course, subject to meeting statutory requirements.

During the INSPIRE Faculty Fellowship tenure, a fellow will be governed by rules and regulations of Host Institute regarding all type of leaves or any other matters related to Faculty Fellowship.
[Back To Top]

Yes, as per Income Tax act, it is taxable.
[Back To Top]

1. Undertaking signed by fellow and Host Institute
2. Bank detail of Host Institute
3. Breakup on usage of Research Grant
4. Joining Report

Fellowship amount is consolidated (all inclusive). Break-up will not be feasible to provide.
[Back To Top]

The Faculty Fellowship amount and Research Grant will be transferred to the Host Institute annually. Copy of the sanction letter will be uploaded in the online portal. The Fellow may download the same.
[Back To Top]

The Faculty Fellowship amount and Research Grant will be transferred to the Host Institute annually. Copy of the sanction letter will be uploaded in the online portal. The Fellow may download the same.
[Back To Top]

Fellow shall be required to submit Annual Progress Report to INSPIRE-DST in the online portal. Midterm/Periodic performance evaluation shall be done on the progress of research by a national level Expert Committee and further continuation of support to each fellow shall depend upon the performance assessment by the Committee.
[Back To Top]

Fellows need to submit Utilization Certificate, Statement of Expenditure and Annual Report as per the formats available at http://www.online-inspire.gov.in, at the end of every year through Host Institute for receiving the next installment. [Back To Top]

The bank detail submission page consists of a selected bank details list already approved by DST. If you select the required bank detail from the list, you do not have to wait for its approval and can move forward directly to upload your joining acceptance. [Back To Top]

Transfer or Change of Host Institution is permissible under the Scheme either upon getting i) permanent employment in another Institutions or ii) for any other valid reason. [Back To Top]

1. Appointment Letter of permanent employment or justifications for change of Host Institution.
2. NOC from present Host Institute and Acceptance Letter from new Host Institute,
3. Fresh Signed copy of the Undertaking (not required in case of permanent employment in the same Host Institution),
4. Up-to-date financial documents from the present Host Institute (also in case of permanent employment in the same Host Institute).