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.

Applications are invited for the year 2024, from eligible candidates under INSPIRE Faculty Fellowship component of INSPIRE scheme of DST through the web-portal https://​onlinein​spire​.gov​.in.

• The upper age limit as on 1^st 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.
• 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.
• 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 https://​www​.nst​edb​.com/​L​i​st-NS… TBIs.htm.)
• Candidates 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, 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 if selected as INSPIRE Faculty Fellows.

• 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.
• Candidates 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.

Desirable: Candidates who are within the top 1% in Class 12 examination, IIT-JEE, NEET rank holders, 1^st rank holders either in graduation or post-graduation level university examinations.

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 https://​www​.online​-inspire​.gov…. 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 1^st June, 2024 to 15^th July, 2024 (till 23:59 hrs. IST) for submission of applications. 

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