Women Scientist Fellowships: The Department of Health Research (DHR) has announced a fellowships scheme for enabling women scientists between 30 and 45 years who have undergone a break in their careers ranging from one to five years because of motherhood or household responsibilities. The scheme is one of the steps being taken by the government to ensure greater participation of women in the biomedical and health research areas. The last date to apply will be May 31, 2025.
In spite of the high rate of women seeking education in biomedical sciences, their numbers in research careers are disproportionately underrepresented. In response to this disparity, the Women Scientist Fellowship program seeks to provide financial assistance along with a structured research experience to deserving women who are unemployed.
Eligibility Criteria
Only citizens of India who have a career break of one year up to five years are eligible. The candidates should not be in employment or holding any other fellowship when making the application.
The fellowship is available under two categories:
Category A: Those having MD/MS/MDS/MBBS/BDS/MVSc/MSc/MPharma/MTech or equivalent, and a PhD in a health research-related topic.
Fellowship: ₹90,000/month (medical); ₹67,000 + HRA (non-medical)
Duration: 3 years
Research Grant: Up to ₹10 lakhs/year
Category B: Candidates with MBBS/BDS/MSc/MPharma/MTech or equivalent, enrolled in a PhD program with at least 2 years of post-degree work experience.
Fellowship: ₹65,000/month (medical); ₹48,000 + HRA (non-medical)
Duration: Up to 5 years or till PhD completion
Research Grant: Up to ₹10 lakhs/year
Applicants should provide a research proposal in accordance with priority research areas identified. The study should be conducted under a faculty member in a recognized medical college, biomedical research institute, or university.
Preference will be accorded to candidates with published research articles in indexed journals and those whose career interruptions were for reasons of family or health (with supporting evidence). Age relaxations as per government rules for SC/ST/OBC and differently-abled candidates.
For details and application procedure, interested candidates may refer to the website of the Department of Health Research.
