Women in Science and Engineering-KIRAN (WISE-KIRAN)

About this scheme

Women in Science and Engineering-KIRAN (WISE-KIRAN) is a flagship umbrella scheme of the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India, designed to address the various challenges faced by women in their scientific journey and enhance their participation in Science and Technology. The scheme adopts a holistic approach with multiple dedicated programmes catering to women of all age groups and career stages. Key programmes include: WISE Fellowship for PhD (WISE-PhD) offering ₹37,000/month fellowship for women aged 27–45 to pursue doctoral research in basic and applied sciences; WISE Post-Doctoral Fellowship (WISE-PDF) providing ₹67,000/month for women aged 27–60 to continue research after PhD; WIDUSHI for senior women scientists up to age 62; WISE-SCOPE for women aged 27–60 to re-enter the scientific workforce through societal challenge-driven research; WISE-IPR internship for IPR training; and WINGS for international research exposure. The scheme also includes institutional-level programmes like CURIE for developing research infrastructure in women’s institutions, Vigyan Jyoti for encouraging girls in STEM at the school level, and GATI for gender equity in STEMM institutions.

Eligibility

• Gender: Must be a woman scientist or technologist (all programmes under WISE-KIRAN are exclusively for women)
• Age: Varies by programme: 27–45 years (WISE-PhD), 27–60 years (WISE-PDF, WISE-SCOPE), up to 62 years (WIDUSHI). Upper age relaxation of 3 years for SC/ST/PH candidates
• Educational qualification: Post-graduate degree in Basic/Applied Sciences or equivalent (M.Phil, M.Tech, M.Pharm, B.Tech) for WISE-PhD. PhD for WISE-PDF
• Employment status: Must be unemployed or in temporary research/academic positions. Women in regular/ permanent employment are not eligible
• Citizenship: Must be an Indian citizen
• Career break: Not mandatory but women with a career break are encouraged to apply (WISE-PDF). Some programmes are specifically designed for those re-entering after a break

Benefits

• WISE-PhD: Fellowship of ₹37,000/month + HRA + Research Grant of ₹1.0 lakh/year + Institutional overhead of ₹0.5 lakh/year (up to 5 years)
• WISE-PDF: Fellowship of ₹67,000/month + HRA + Research Grant of ₹2.0 lakh/year + small equipment grant up to ₹3.0 lakh + Institutional overhead of ₹1.0 lakh/year (up to 3 years)
• WIDUSHI: Research support for senior women scientists in interdisciplinary areas (up to 62 years of age)
• WISE-SCOPE: Opportunity to re-enter mainstream scientific workforce through translational research addressing societal challenges in 5 thematic areas
• WISE-IPR: One-year internship training in Intellectual Property Rights for women with PG/PhD in Basic and Applied Sciences (age 25–45)
• WINGS: International research exposure through fellowships and scientific visits to overseas labs and institutions
• CURIE: State-of-the-art research infrastructure development in women’s universities and PG colleges
• Vigyan Jyoti: School-level STEM encouragement for meritorious girls in Class 9–12 across 250 districts

Required documents

• Proof of date of birth
• Educational qualification certificates (PG/PhD degree)
• Mark sheets of all qualifying examinations
• Research proposal/project synopsis (as per programme)
• CV/bio-data of applicant
• Break-in-career declaration (if applicable)(optional)
• No Objection Certificate from host institution
• Certificate for SC/ST/PH (if claiming age relaxation)(optional)
• Mentor/supervisor consent letter (for WISE-PhD)
• Publication list (if any)(optional)

Frequently asked