Scholarship
Entrepreneurship Development by SC & ST Women in Science Technology Engineering Mathematics(ED/SC-ST-WISTEM)
Overview
About ED/SC-ST-WISTEM
Entrepreneurship Development by SC & ST Women in Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics (ED/SC-ST-WISTEM) is a Kerala state scheme run by the Kerala State Council for Science, Technology and Environment (KSCSTE), an autonomous body under the Science and Technology Department, Government of Kerala, based at Sasthra Bhavan, Pattom, Thiruvananthapuram.
The scheme sets out to build entrepreneurship and improve livelihood options for unemployed SC and ST women in STEM fields, using tools of science, technology and innovation. It runs as a structured one-year programme that includes three months of entrepreneur training, and supports participants in moving a product or technology towards a marketable stage with commercial potential.
The support is composite. Selected candidates work as KSCSTE project scientists and receive a fellowship along with financial, mentor and institutional support, and their work is assessed through on-site evaluation. The scheme is open to Indian citizens who are SC or ST women in STEM areas of Kerala.
Sources: KSCSTE - ED/SC-ST-WISTEM · KSCSTE - Women in Science & Technology · myScheme - ED/SC-ST-WISTEM
Who runs it
Provider
Kerala State Council For Science, Technology And Environment
State / UT Government
Science and Technology Department · Kerala State Council For Science, Technology And Environment
At a glance
Key details
| Level | State |
| Scheme type | — |
| Category | Business & Entrepreneurship, Women and Child |
| Beneficiaries | Individual |
| Benefit type | Composite |
| Application mode | Online |
Calendar
Important dates
Across all open application cycles.
| Cycle | Stage | Date |
|---|
Who can apply
Eligibility criteria
| The applicant should be an Indian citizen and SC & ST woman in the Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics (STEM) areas of Kerala State. | |
| The upper age limit for financial support for the programme would be ≥50 years. | |
| The applicant should hold a Ph.D. degree in Science or Technology or Engineering; or M.Sc. degree in Basic Science/Natural Science; or an M.Tech degree in Science/Technology /Engineering. | |
| The applicant should initially identify the Institution and mentor. Alternatively, the application submission could be by nomination from the Head of S&T Institutions across Kerala. | |
| The host institutions can be Academic Institutions (Central and state), University Departments, Colleges recognized with R&D facilities, DSIR-recognized institutions in Kerala, or Institutions with appropriate R&D facilities. The mentor should be a regular faculty of the host institute. | |
| The application form along with required documents should be submitted in PDF format during the call opening period. | |
| Co-mentorship for the program is encouraged. The Co-mentor of the host institution or other Organization must have an experience in enterprise creation. | |
| The applicant selected for the programme should join the host institute within 15 days of receiving the initial grant from KSCSTE. |
What you get
Award & benefits
- Financial support will be for an amount of ₹20 Lakhs including institutional overheads for a period of one year.
- The grant will cover Fellowship @ ₹35,000/- per month + 10% HRA (for M.Sc & M.Tech); ₹45,000/- per month + HRA (for Ph.D.); Capital Cost ≤ 25% of project cost (which includes minor equipment, infrastructure, rent ); Operational Cost ≤ 30% of project cost (consumables & outsource Services cost); contingency ≤ apart from institutional overhead (≤10%- subject to a maximum of ₹1.00 Lakh only).
- In the first phase, Full Capital Cost, six months of the fellowship, 50% Operational Cost and 50% of Institutional overhead will be released to the host institution at the time of implementation of programme as soon as the start of programme is intimated to KSCSTE by the host institution.
- In the second phase, 30% of the grant will be released (without institutional overhead), after 6 months of evaluation of the programme.
- In the third phase, the remaining 20% of the grant and 50% of institutional overhead will be released after the successful completion of programme and submission of relevant documents to KSCSTE including onsite evaluation.
- The institutional overhead (10% of project cost) is subject to a maximum of ₹1.00 Lakh only.
- Maximum number of grants awarded per year would be 3 - 5 across all subject areas.
- Note: After a period of one year, the extension of programme period is not encouraged. Only in rare and exceptional cases, depending on the necessity and progress of programme, no-cost extension will be considered. Such a period of extension will be limited to a maximum of six months.
What to prepare
Documents required
Step by step
How to apply
- 1Apply online
See the official links below for the application portal.
Questions
ED/SC-ST-WISTEM – FAQ
Disclaimer
Scheme details are compiled from myScheme, the Government of India’s official scheme-discovery platform, and are reproduced without alteration. Amounts, deadlines and eligibility change between cycles — always confirm on the official links above before applying. Expertie does not process applications or charge fees.