The INSPIRE Faculty Fellowship (IFF) 2025, under the Innovation in Science Pursuit for Inspired Research (INSPIRE) scheme, is an esteemed initiative of the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India. The fellowship aims to provide young achievers in science, engineering, medicine, agriculture, and allied fields with the opportunity to pursue independent research and contribute to India’s growing scientific landscape. By supporting bright minds, the program strengthens high-quality scientific manpower across universities and research institutions in the country.
Fellowship Overview
The INSPIRE Faculty Fellowship is designed for early-career researchers who aspire to establish themselves as independent investigators. Each selected fellow receives a consolidated monthly fellowship of ₹1,25,000 and an annual research grant of ₹7,00,000 to support laboratory setup, consumables, manpower, and contingencies. The fellowship tenure is for a maximum of five years, allowing fellows to conduct innovative, high-impact research, gain recognition, and build their academic careers.
Eligibility Criteria
Candidates applying for IFF 2025 must meet the following criteria:
- Must be an Indian citizen or Person of Indian Origin (PIO) with a Ph.D. in Science, Mathematics, Engineering, Medicine, Pharmacy, or Agriculture from a recognized university.
- Should have secured a minimum of 60% marks or equivalent CGPA from Class 12 onwards.
- Applicants who have submitted their Ph.D. thesis and are awaiting the degree are eligible; final selection is confirmed after degree award.
- Age limit: 32 years (General), 37 years (SC/ST/Women), and 42 years (Persons with benchmark disability ≥40%).
- Must demonstrate strong research potential through publications in reputed journals.
- Applicants under Translational Research in S&T must have at least two patents filed or one granted patent, and the host institute must have a government-supported Technology Business Incubator (TBI).
- Candidates holding permanent academic/research positions are not eligible; those on contractual roles must resign if selected.
Required Documents
Applicants must submit:
- Class 12, Bachelor’s, and Master’s mark sheets and certificates
- Ph.D. degree/provisional certificate or proof of thesis submission
- Proof of date of birth (Birth Certificate/10th marksheet)
- Category and disability certificates (if applicable)
- List of research publications
- Patent certificates (if applying under Translational Research)
- Passport-size photograph and Aadhaar/Govt. ID proof
Benefits of INSPIRE Faculty Fellowship
The INSPIRE Faculty Fellowship 2025 offers multiple benefits:
- Consolidated monthly fellowship of ₹1,25,000
- Annual research grant of ₹7,00,000 for lab setup and research expenses
- Tenure of up to five years
- Opportunity to conduct independent research at leading Indian institutions
- Recognition as an INSPIRE Faculty Fellow, enhancing academic and research credentials
- Access to mentoring, collaborations, and DST-monitored evaluations
Application Deadline
The last date to apply for INSPIRE Faculty Fellowship 2025 is 14 September 2025. Interested candidates are encouraged to apply online through the DST portal and ensure all eligibility criteria and document requirements are fulfilled.
The INSPIRE Faculty Fellowship is an excellent platform for young Indian researchers to pursue cutting-edge scientific research, gain visibility, and make meaningful contributions to the nation’s scientific development, for more details and apply CLICK HERE
