Scholarship
Women Scientist Scheme-A(WOS-A)
Overview
About WOS-A
Women Scientist Scheme-A (WOS-A) is a research grant from the Department of Science and Technology (DST), under the Ministry of Science and Technology. It sits within DST's KIRAN umbrella, short for Knowledge Involvement in Research Advancement through Nurturing, which is now presented as WISE-KIRAN and groups the department's women-focused programmes. In 2014 DST brought its women-specific schemes together under KIRAN.
WOS-A is meant for women scientists and technologists who want to return to research after a break in their careers and who are not in regular employment. It supports work in frontier areas of basic and applied sciences: physical and mathematical sciences, chemical sciences, life sciences, earth and atmospheric sciences, and engineering technology. Those selected carry out their projects as bench-level researchers at a host institution.
The benefit is a research grant that includes a fellowship for the applicant. DST frames WOS-A as a way to keep trained women researchers within the science and technology system, and to give those who have stepped away a route back into mainstream science.
Sources: Department of Science and Technology - KIRAN scheme press release · Department of Science and Technology - WISE-KIRAN · NEXT IAS - KIRAN (Knowledge Involvement in Research Advancement through Nurturing)
Who runs it
Provider
Ministry Of Science And Technology
Central Government
Central Sector Scheme
At a glance
Key details
| Level | Central |
| Scheme type | Central Sector Scheme |
| Category | Education & Learning, Skills & Employment, Social welfare & Empowerment, Science, IT & Communications, Women and Child |
| Beneficiaries | Individual |
| Benefit type | Cash |
| Application mode | Online |
Calendar
Important dates
Across all open application cycles.
| Cycle | Stage | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Current | Applications open | 2002-01-01 |
Who can apply
Eligibility criteria
| The applicant must be a FEMALE. | |
| The applicant must either be unemployed or in a position other than regular/permanent position. | |
| The age of the applicant must be between 27 and 57 years (5 year relaxation for SC/ST/OBC and physically challenged candidates) | |
| The applicant must hold either of the following Minimum essential qualification - | |
| Minimum Post Graduate degree, equivalent to M.Sc. in Basic or Applied Sciences or B.Tech. or MBBS or other equivalent professional qualifications. | |
| M.Phil/M.Tech/M.Pharm/M.VSc or equivalent qualifications. | |
| Ph.D. in Basic or Applied Sciences. |
Who cannot apply
Exclusions
- Women in permanent position are not eligible to apply.
What you get
Award & benefits
- ₹ 55,000/- pm (and HRA as applicable) for Ph.D. or equivalent (total project cost not exceeding ₹ 30 lakh)
- ₹ 40,000/- pm (and HRA as applicable) for M.Phil./MTech or equivalent (total project cost not exceeding ₹ 25 lakh)
- ₹ 31,000/- pm (and HRA as applicable) for M.Sc. or equivalent (total project cost not exceeding ₹ 20 lakh)
- This grant will cover the fellowship of the applicant and cost of small equipments, contingencies, travel, consumables, etc.
- The benefits are provided for a period of maximum three years.
- The payment of the scholarship will be through DBT.
What to prepare
Documents required
Step by step
How to apply
- 1Apply online
https://online-wosa.gov.in/wosa/
Source
Official links
Questions
WOS-A – 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.