The WISE Post-Doctoral Fellowship (WISE-PDF) is part of the Women in Science and Engineering-KIRAN (WISE-KIRAN) programme under the Department of Science and Technology (DST). It aims to support women scientists and technologists (age 27–60) who wish to continue bench-level research in both basic and applied sciences after their Ph.D. The fellowship encourages women to further their research careers by providing financial and research support.
Scientific Disciplines
Support is available in the following areas:
- Physical & Mathematical Sciences
- Chemical Sciences
- Life Sciences
- Earth & Atmospheric Sciences
- Engineering & Technology
Project Duration
- Maximum Duration: 3 years
(The fellowship tenure may not exceed 3 years.)
Benefits
- Fellowship Amount:
₹55,000 per month - Research Grant:
₹2.0 Lakhs per year - Small Equipment:
Up to ₹3.0 Lakhs - Institutional Overhead:
Provided as per DST norms - House Rent Allowance (HRA):
Provided based on DST rules, with hostel accommodation options available. If the fellow arranges personal accommodation, HRA is payable as per government categorization of cities.
Eligibility
- Employment:
Only women scientists who are in temporary employment (e.g., post-doctoral fellow, research associate) are eligible. Candidates in regular employment are not eligible; they must resign from their current position to avail the fellowship and return after the project. - Age:
27 to 60 years (women under 27 are not eligible) - Qualification:
Must hold a Ph.D. in Basic or Applied Sciences, or an equivalent degree (e.g., MD, MS, MDS) - Career Breaks:
A break in career is not mandatory, though candidates with breaks are encouraged to apply.
Application Process
Mode: Online via the DST-WISE portal (https://onlinewosa.gov.in/)
- Registration:
- Register on the portal with your active email ID.
- An auto-generated email with a link to create a password will be sent.
- Proposal Submission:
- Log in to the portal.
- Fill in the application form under the WISE-PDF scheme.
- Enter details such as project title (max 500 characters), project summary (max 3000 characters), keywords (max 6), project objectives (max 1500 characters), expected outputs (max 1500 characters), and budget details.
- Upload all required documents in a single PDF file (max size 2MB).
- Final Submission:
- Preview your proposal carefully; after final submission, no changes can be made.
- You can save and print the submitted proposal for your records.
Documents Required
- Project Proposal Document (as per prescribed format)
- Biodata of the Principal Investigator (PI) (signed; as per format)
- Biodata of the Mentor (signed; as per format)
- Caste Certificate (if applicable)
- Disability Certificate (if applicable)
- Proof of age (Birth Certificate or Class 10 mark sheet)
- Recent photograph of the PI
- Signature of the PI
- Highest Degree Certificate
- HRA Certificate (if claiming HRA)
Note: All document formats are available on the portal under the “Formats” section.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- Is the WOS-A programme still open for proposal submission?
(Refer to the latest notification on the DST-WISE portal for current status.) - How is WISE-PDF different from the WOS-A programme?
WISE-PDF is specifically restructured to support post-doctoral research for women scientists, while WOS-A may have different focus areas. - What is the minimum qualification for applying?
Candidates must hold an M.E./M.Tech. or equivalent degree and have a Ph.D. - What is the age limit for WISE-PDF?
Applicants must be between 27 and 60 years old. - Are employed women scientists eligible?
Only those in temporary employment or who are willing to resign from permanent positions can apply. - Is a break in career mandatory?
No, but those with a break are encouraged to apply. - Which subject areas are supported?
Support is available in Physical & Mathematical Sciences, Chemical Sciences, Life Sciences, Earth & Atmospheric Sciences, and Engineering & Technology. - What is the tenure of the project?
Up to 3 years. - Can the host institution be the same as where the Ph.D. was obtained?
Yes, but the mentor must not be the Ph.D. guide. - Can a Ph.D. guide act as the mentor?
No, the Ph.D. guide cannot serve as a mentor. - Is it possible to have more than one mentor?
No, only one mentor is allowed. - Can a close relative serve as a mentor?
No, conflicts of interest must be avoided. - When is the call open?
The portal is open throughout the year. - Can I change the proposal after final submission?
No, editing is not allowed after final submission. - Can I change my email ID after registration?
Changes are generally not permitted after registration. - Which special characters should be avoided?
Follow the instructions on the portal; typically, avoid using characters not supported by the system. - What if I forget my user ID or password?
Use the “Forgot Password” link or contact support. - Can I change my email ID during processing?
Email changes are not permitted once registered. - Are there any special instructions for filling the proposal?
Ensure that all fields are accurately completed and all required documents are in PDF format. - How long is the password link valid?
Check the confirmation email for details. - Who to contact for submission issues?
Contact the support team via the provided contact details on the portal. - Whom to contact for queries related to the WOS-A scheme?
Direct your queries to the designated helpdesk as mentioned on the portal.