Scholarship
SERB Research Scientist Scheme(SERBRSS)
Overview
About SERBRSS
The SERB Research Scientist (SRS) Scheme is run by the Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB), a statutory body of the Department of Science and Technology, Government of India. It was created for scientists who have held one of India's early-career research fellowships, the INSPIRE Faculty scheme of the Department of Science and Technology or the Ramanujan Fellowship of SERB, and who have not moved into a regular academic or research post by the time those fellowships end.
Both of those fellowships run for a fixed tenure of five years and carry no extension. The SRS scheme covers the gap that follows. It supports a fellow's research for a further period of two years, which can be taken to a maximum of three years after a performance review, so ongoing work is not cut off while the person continues to look for a permanent position. Support is composite: SERB pays a consolidated monthly emolument along with an annual research grant and an overhead allocation to the host institution.
Eligibility is narrow. Only serving or recently completed INSPIRE Faculty members and Ramanujan Fellows may apply, and the application must reach SERB within six months on either side of the fellowship's completion. The upper age limit is 40 years at the time of applying, the award can be held only once in a career, and the position must be based at an Indian institution. Selection turns on how the candidate performed during the INSPIRE Faculty or Ramanujan Fellowship tenure.
Sources: myScheme - SERB Research Scientist Scheme · SERB Online (PRISM) - SERB Research Scientists Scheme · Buddy4Study - SERB Research Scientists Scheme
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 |
| Beneficiaries | Individual |
| Benefit type | Composite |
| Application mode | Offline |
Calendar
Important dates
Across all open application cycles.
| Cycle | Stage | Date |
|---|
Who can apply
Eligibility criteria
| The scheme is open only to INSPIRE Faculty and Ramanujan Fellows. | |
| The applicant should have completed or nearing completion of the tenure of INSPIRE Faculty of DST or Ramanujan Fellowship of SERB. | |
| The upper age limit for INSPIRE Faculty/Ramanujan Fellows is 40 years at the time of submission of application. | |
| SRS can be availed only once by a candidate in his/her career. | |
| Note 01: The SRS Scheme will be made effective only after the completion of the tenure of the respective INSPIRE Faculty/Ramanujan Fellowship. | |
| Note 02: The SRS scheme can be availed only once by a candidate in his/her career. | |
| Note 03: The SRS is tenable only in India and can be implemented in any of the recognized academic institutions, national laboratories and other recognized R & D institutions. The host institution should provide necessary administrative and infrastructural support. | |
| Note 04: The Faculty/Fellow can either implement the SRS Scheme from the present host institution or opt to choose a different host institution that is suitable to the objectives of the proposed research work. | |
| Note 05: The SRSs will not be allowed to work at the same Department/institution where the candidates have earned their PhD/M.S./M.D degree. | |
| Note 06: The SRS is purely a temporary and contractual assignment, and is tenable for a period of 2 years, extendable to one more year, subject to performance evaluation. Under any circumstances, the support is not extendable beyond three years. |
What you get
Award & benefits
- The “SERB Research Scientists” will be entitled to receive the grants as given below: Sl. No.Budget HeadAmount1Emolument Consolidated amount of ₹1,20,000/- per month2Research Grant₹7,00,000/- per annum3Overheads₹1,00,000/- per annum All Inclusive
- Note 01: Research grants can be used for minor equipment, consumables, contingencies, and travel. There is no provision for providing manpower support under this scheme. The Research Scientist is expected to undertake the research objectives by himself/herself during the entire duration of the SRS Scheme.
- Note 02: The SERB Research Scientists are not eligible to receive any other research project/fellowship from any Government or Non-Governmental source during the tenure of the Scheme.
- Note 03: The SERB Research Scientists must seek the consent of SERB if he/she intends to be away from the implementing institute (except for field work related to the project) continuously for a period of more than eight weeks.
- Leave: SERB Research Scientists are entitled to leave as per the rules of the host institution.
- Participation in scientific workshops held in India or abroad will be treated as on duty.
- Maternity leave as per the Govt. of India instructions issued from time to time would be available to female candidates in all categories.
What to prepare
Documents required
Step by step
How to apply
- 1Apply offline
See the official links below for the application portal.
Source
Official links
Questions
SERBRSS – 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.