Women Scientists Programs

DST's Scholarship Scheme for Women Scientists and Technologists

Preamble

Women constitute an important section of the workforce. However, the present situation of a large number of well-qualified women scientists who due to various circumstances have been left out of the S&T activities needs to be addressed. The problems faced are several but, significantly, most often the "break in their careers" arises out of motherhood and family responsibilities. The option for revival of their profession is presently unavailable due to restrictions in age and qualification and no system at present addresses these issues.

The "Women Scientists Scheme (WOS)" has been evolved in this context, by the Department of Science and Technology (DST) 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. Through this endeavour of the Department, a concerted effort would be made to give women a strong foothold into the scientific profession, help them re-enter into the mainstream and provide a launch pad for further forays into the field of science and technology, both from the point of view of pure science and its application to societal development.

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 of Scholarships

Three categories of scholarships, with research grants, are available 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 indicated below:

• Scholarship for Research in Basic/Applied Science (WOS-A)
  
• Scholarship for Research in S&T - based Societal Programs (WOS-B)
  
• Internship for the Self-Employment (WOS-C)

The scheme is meant to encourage women candidates, preferably those having a break in career and not having regular employment. Qualification for the scholarships are as follows

Women Scientists Scheme (WOS-A):

The 'Women Scientists Scheme (WOS-A)' of the Department of Science and Technology is aimed to provide opportunities to women scientists and technologists for pursuing research in basic or applied sciences in frontier areas of science and engineering. A special provision has been made under this Scheme to encourage those women scientists who have had breaks in their careers. It will provide a launch pad for them up to the age of 50 years to return to mainstream science and work as bench-level scientists in the field of science and technology.

Scientific Disciplines: The scholarships have been instituted in the following subject areas : (1) Physical Science; (2) Chemical Science; (3) Mathematical Science; (4) Life sciences; (5) Earth Sciences; (6) Atmospheric Sciences; (7) Engineering Sciences. A project proposal should be submitted in active collaboration with an academic/R&D institution in the chosen subject area.

Support: This scheme will provide a research grant with an upper limit of Rs. 23 lakh (for Ph.D. or equivalent) and Rs. 20 lakh (for M.Sc. or equivalent) for a well-defined R&D project proposal for a period of three years. This grant will include the fellowship of the applicant and cost of small equipments, contingencies, travel, consumables etc. Institutional overhead charges will be extra.

Eligibility:

1. Persons already in employment need not apply.
2. Women scientists, with a minimum of Post Graduate degree, equivalent to M.Sc. in Basic or Applied Sciences or B.Tech. or MBBS or other equivalent professional qualifications, are eligible for this scheme. Maximum age limit for this category is 35 years at the time of submission of the application. The amount of fellowship for such candidates will be Rs. 20,000/- PM.
3. Women scientists having a Ph.D. in Basic or Applied Sciences or M.Tech. or MD/MS, DM/MCH in Medical Sciences from recognized Universities can apply up to the age of 50 years. The amount of fellowship for such candidates will be Rs. 35,000/- PM.
4. Age relaxation of 5 years would be given to candidates belonging to SC/ST/OBC and physically challenged category. Attested copies of supporting documents in this regard must be enclosed.

Desirable:

1. Preference would be given to candidates having a break-in-career due to family reasons.
2. Also, preference would be given to Ph.D./equivalent degree candidates. M.Sc./equivalent candidates may, however, be also considered if they have a bright academic record and demonstrable research experience in the form of publications, dissertations, patents, etc.

Last Date of Application :The Scheme is open throughout the year. Therefore, there is no last date of application.

Procedure For Applying:

1. Five (5) copies of neatly typed application (in single space and on both sides of the paper) should be submitted in the enclosed format at the address given below.
2. Carefully prepared proposal should be concise focused and complete in all respects.

For Application Format Click Here

Address for Submission of Application and Enquiries:
Dr H B Singh
Officer-in-Charge
Women Scientists Scheme (WOS-A)
Department of Science & Technology
Technology Bhavan, New Mehrauli Road
New Delhi – 110016
E-mail: haribsingh at nic dot in

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 improving the income generating activity and reducing drudgery of weaker sections of our society in different occupations, capacity building on the societal programs at the grassroot level etc.

Eligibility

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

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.

• DISHA Scholarship programme for Women Scientist (WOS-B)
• Enhanced Fellowship for WOS-B
• Click here to know more about WOS-B
• Guideliness for WOS-B

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List of on-going projects :

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.

• List of Shortlisted Candidates for WOS-C Seventh Batch
• Click here to know more about WOS-C
  

The three components of the scheme (WOS-A, WOS-B and WOS-C) are being implemented through the following wings of DST