Scholarship
SERB International Research Experience(SIRE)
Overview
About SIRE
SERB International Research Experience (SIRE) is a fellowship run by the Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB), a statutory body under the Department of Science and Technology, Government of India. It sends selected Indian researchers abroad for a short spell at overseas institutions and universities, where they take up high-end training in frontier areas of science and technology that matter to India.
Fellows spend two to six months at leading global institutions, preferably ones where internationally recognised scientists work. SERB frames the programme around three purposes: building national capacity by giving researchers hands-on international R&D experience, carrying that expertise back to strengthen or start Indian work in the same field, and drawing effort toward priority areas that stay thinly explored in the Indian context.
The support is composite. A monthly fellowship covers the time abroad, alongside a contingency allowance, overseas medical insurance and return economy airfare. It is meant for researchers who already hold a doctorate in science or engineering and a regular position at an Indian research or academic institution, not for students, and a researcher can take it up only once in a career.
Sources: SERB International Research Experience (SIRE), Anusandhan National Research Foundation / SERB · SIRE scheme page, Science and Engineering Research Board · SERB International Research Experience (SIRE), myScheme (Government of India)
Who runs it
Provider
Ministry Of Science And Technology
Central Government
Department Of Science & Technology · Science And Engineering Research Board, Government Of India
At a glance
Key details
| Level | Central |
| Scheme type | Central Sector Scheme |
| Category | Science, IT & Communications, Education & Learning |
| 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 scheme is open to Indian nationals only. | |
| Applicant should have a Ph.D. degree in the area of Science and Engineering from recognized institutions in India. | |
| The applicant must hold a permanent position in any Indian research and academic institution. | |
| Applicants having MBBS/MD degrees and Veterinary doctors are also eligible to apply. | |
| Applicants having a Teachers Associateship for Research Excellence (TARE) award are also eligible to apply. | |
| Applicant must submit a letter of support from the overseas host institution along with the application. | |
| The age limit for applying under this scheme shall be 40 years (as of the date of submission of application). Age relaxation of 5 years will be given to applicants belonging to SC/ST/OBC/physically challenged and women categories. |
What you get
Award & benefits
- The selected fellows will be paid a monthly fellowship amount equivalent to US $ 3000.
- One-time Contingency/Preparatory allowances of ₹75,000/- to cover visa fees, airport transfer charges, insurance, etc.,
- Overseas Medical Insurance in India and abroad of ₹20,000/-.
- The selected fellows will also be provided the shortest route economy class airfare from their place of work in India to the place of the host institute and back.
- Note 01: The maximum duration of the abroad visit is limited to 06 months.
- Note 02: For scientists/researchers in regular employment, rules governing payment of salary, leave, medical, gratuity, GPF pension, etc. of the organization/ institution/ university to which the fellow belongs would continue to be applicable as per their institutional norms. No liability on any of these will be borne by SERB.
What to prepare
Documents required
Step by step
How to apply
- 1Apply online
See the official links below for the application portal.
Source
Official links
Questions
SIRE – 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.