DST INSPIRE Faculty Fellowship
Supports DST INSPIRE Faculty Fellowship to help returning Indian scientists lead independent teams in national institutions.
The DST INSPIRE Faculty Fellowship sits under the Department of Science and Technology, India's national science ministry established in 1971. INSPIRE is the department's early-career route for Indian PhD holders returning to India to build an independent research track. The grant is annual, national in scope, and carries an award of INR 35 lakh over five years. Applicants apply through the online INSPIRE portal, and the route is aimed at researchers who can secure a host institution and translate strong doctoral training into a longer research programme. The fellowship works best for candidates who need time, lab access, and a clean runway rather than a short project burst. A credible proposal usually combines a focused research theme, a host environment in India, and evidence that the fellow can lead an independent line of work. It is one of DST's better-known early-career instruments and often functions as a bridge between doctoral research and a permanent faculty appointment.
No upcoming rounds verified. Cadence: Annual.