Scholarship
WISE Post-Doctoral Fellowship(WISE-PDF)
Overview
About WISE-PDF
The WISE Post-Doctoral Fellowship, or WISE-PDF, is run by the Department of Science & Technology (DST), the Union government's nodal body for science and technology. It falls under DST's WISE-KIRAN programme, short for Women in Science and Engineering, which the department runs to raise women's participation in research and move toward gender parity in the field.
The fellowship is for women scientists and technologists who want to keep working as bench-level researchers after a PhD in the basic and applied sciences. It backs independent post-doctoral work, so a fellow runs her own project rather than joining someone else's. DST spreads the support across five broad areas: physical and mathematical sciences, chemical sciences, life sciences, earth and atmospheric sciences, and engineering and technology.
The benefit is composite. Beyond a monthly fellowship, DST adds a research grant and related allowances for the length of the project, so the award covers both the researcher and the running cost of her work. The exact rates and the project term are set in the scheme's official terms.
It is aimed at women aged 27 to 60 who hold a PhD or an equivalent degree. DST frames it around women who are active in research but not in a regular, permanent post: those already in permanent employment cannot apply, while those temporarily engaged in research or academics may. As a central scheme, it is open to eligible women across India.
Sources: Department of Science & Technology – WISE Post-Doctoral Fellowship (WISE-PDF) · Department of Science & Technology – Women in Science and Engineering (WISE-KIRAN) · myScheme – WISE Post-Doctoral Fellowship (WISE-PDF)
Who runs it
Provider
Ministry Of Science And Technology
Central Government
Department Of Science & Technology · Department Of Science & Technology, Government Of India
At a glance
Key details
| Level | Central |
| Scheme type | Central Sector Scheme |
| Category | Women and Child, Science, IT & Communications |
| Beneficiaries | Individual |
| Benefit type | Composite |
| Application mode | Online |
Calendar
Important dates
Across all open application cycles.
| Cycle | Stage | Date |
|---|
Who can apply
Eligibility criteria
| Employment | Candidates in regular employment are not eligible for WISE-PDF. However, women scientists who are temporarily employed in research or academics may apply for the scheme but they have to leave their earlier assignment if the WISE-PDF project is approved. The position of research staff in any project, Post-Doctoral Fellow, Research Associate, etc. will be considered a temporary assignment. |
| Age | The minimum age to apply is 27 years and the maximum is 60 years. Women scientists, less than 27 years of age are NOT eligible. |
| Educational Qualification | Women Scientists having a Ph.D. in Basic/ Applied Science or an equivalent degree like MD, MS, MDS, etc. are eligible for WISE-PDF. |
| Break in Career | Break in career is not mandatory to apply for WISE-PDF, however, women who have a break are also encouraged to apply for this programme. |
What you get
Award & benefits
- Fellowship Amount: ₹55,000/- per month is provided as fellowship along with House Rent Allowance as per Department of Science and Technology (DST) norms. - Research Grant: ₹2,00,000/- per year is provided to support research activities under the programme. - Equipment Support: Financial assistance up to ₹3,00,000/- is provided for the purchase of small equipment. - Institutional Overhead Charges: Additional institutional overhead charges are covered as per applicable norms. - Project Duration: The maximum duration of the project is 3 years.
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
WISE-PDF – 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.