Scholarship
Women Involvement in Science and Engineering Research(WISER)
Overview
About WISER
Women Involvement in Science and Engineering Research (WISER) is a bilateral research grant programme for women scientists working between India and Germany. It is run by the Indo-German Science & Technology Centre (IGSTC), a joint initiative of the Department of Science & Technology (DST) under the Government of India and the German federal research ministry, and it was launched in November 2021.
The programme uses a lateral-entry model. It backs women researchers who already hold regular or long-term positions in academia, research institutes or industry, so it does not require a career break and sets no age limit. Projects are proposed in pairs, with one woman principal investigator in India and one in Germany, across science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
The support is a composite research grant that covers the working costs of a joint project, including research staff, consumables, minor equipment and project-related travel between the two countries. It is meant for women scientists in India who want to build or lead a long-term research partnership with a German counterpart, with the Indian side of each project funded by DST through IGSTC.
Sources: Department of Science & Technology - WISER launch (lateral entry for women researchers, India-Germany) · myScheme - Women Involvement in Science and Engineering Research (WISER)
Who runs it
Provider
Ministry Of Science And Technology
Central Government
Department Of Science & Technology · Indo-German Science & Technology Centre, Established By The Department Of Science & Technology, Government Of India And The Federal Ministry Of Education And Research, Government Of Germany
At a glance
Key details
| Level | Central |
| Scheme type | Central Sector Scheme |
| Category | Women and Child, 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 applicant must be working either in India or Germany. | |
| Through this scheme, women researchers/entrepreneurs holding regular positions in academic/research institutions/industrial research organizations in India/Germany may apply to be a part of an ongoing R&D project of interest with acceptance from the host team. | |
| The programme is open to all areas of STEM. | |
| The programme has no age-limit (Preference to Early/Mid-career researchers). | |
| Note 01: The applicant must define her role in the project, and provide details of the objective, execution strategy, and expected outcome. | |
| Note 02: The applicant shall specify the value addition to the project in the host country. | |
| Note 03: Choice and acceptance from the host is the sole responsibility of the applicant. The applicant should ensure an endorsement/consent letter from the host at the time of the application. | |
| Note 04: The applicant shall submit a No Objection Certificate (NOC)/Endorsement letter from the head of the institution (present organization). | |
| Note 05: The awardee shall commence her visit within 12 months from the date of the award letter. | |
| Note 06: The awardee will abide by the conduct, rules & regulations of the host and the host country. IGSTC will not be responsible for the violation of any Rules and regulations by the awardee. | |
| Note 07: The awardee and host must intimate IGSTC through email/letter in case of discontinuation by the awardee. | |
| Note 08: The awardee must recognize and acknowledge IGSTC in all online/print documents, communications, reports, publications, conferences, theses, etc. on work emanating from the grant. |
What you get
Award & benefits
- The grant will cover basic project assistance (including research staff for the Indian awardee, consumables, and contingency) for the awardee in the parent country and a one-month research stay in the host country (single round-trip airfare, visa fee, medical insurance, per diem for the stay).
- Indian Awardee: Travel (including visa fee and insurance) approximately ₹1,00,000/-.
- Project cost up to ₹12,00,000/- per year (including research staff, consumables, contingency, and per diem @ €2300/month in Germany).
- German Awardee: Travel (including visa fee and insurance) approximately €1500.
- Project cost up to €14500/year (including consumables, contingency, and per diem @ € 2300/month in India).
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
WISER – 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.