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

WOS-A: This category of scholarships are 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. The overall concept is to ensure that large numbers of women scientists enter scientific activity in the country. DST has vast experience in promoting basic research in frontier areas of Science and Engineering and this new initiative will go a long way in bringing a large number of women scientists towards contributing to basic research.

Eligibility

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.

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.

For Guidelines and Format

For List of Projects Click Here

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.

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

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.

Results of the Fellowship Scheme for Women Scientists for Societal Programmes- WOS-B (2007).

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

Contact

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
Email: venktesh at nic dot in