INSPIRE Faculty Fellowship 2025: A Complete Guide for Aspiring Researchers
India’s scientific ecosystem has made remarkable strides in nurturing talent and advancing innovation. A significant contributor to this progress is the INSPIRE (Innovation in Science Pursuit for Inspired Research) scheme, designed to identify and encourage outstanding talent in science and technology. Among its five components, the Faculty Fellowship stands out as a dedicated initiative for post-doctoral researchers aiming to establish themselves as independent faculty members and thought leaders. The INSPIRE Faculty Fellowship 2025 provides not just financial support, but also academic independence, infrastructure access, and recognition at a national level, making it one of the most competitive and career-defining fellowships for early-career researchers (Department of Science & Technology).
The INSPIRE Faculty Fellowship 2025, offered by the Department of Science & Technology (DST), Government of India, is a prestigious program supporting exceptional young researchers in science, engineering, and related fields. With five years of financial and research support, it empowers scholars to establish themselves as independent leaders in Indian academia.
What Is the INSPIRE Faculty Fellowship?
The INSPIRE Faculty Fellowship is a flagship program under DST’s INSPIRE scheme. Unlike scholarships or doctoral support, this fellowship specifically targets researchers who have completed their PhD and are seeking to establish themselves as independent investigators.
The fellowship runs for five years and provides a substantial monthly stipend
Key Features of the 2025 Fellowship
Financial Benefits
Fellows receive a monthly fellowship of ₹1,25,000, with an annual increment of ₹2,000 throughout the tenure.
An annual research grant of ₹7,00,000 is provided to cover essential needs such as laboratory equipment, consumables, travel, research manpower, and participation in conferences.
These provisions ensure that recipients have both a stable personal income and adequate funding for their research group.
Tenure of the Fellowship
The fellowship is granted for five years, strictly non-renewable. This ensures that candidates utilize the tenure strategically to develop impactful projects, secure publications, and transition into permanent faculty roles.
Scale of Award
On average, 100–150 fellowships are awarded each year. The competitive selection process ensures that only the most promising researchers are chosen, enhancing the program’s prestige and credibility.
Eligibility
& Criteria
Basic Eligibility
Applicants must:
Hold a PhD degree in science, engineering, agriculture, medicine, or allied disciplines.
Be an Indian citizen, NRI, or Person of Indian Origin (PIO).
Age Limits
General category: up to 32 years (as of January 1 of the application year).
SC/ST/Women: up to 37 years.
Persons with benchmark disabilities: up to 42 years.
This ensures inclusivity and equal opportunity for diverse groups of researchers.
Special Track for Translational Research
For applicants pursuing deep-tech or translational research:
A minimum of two filed patents or one granted patent is required.
The host institution must house a Technology Business Incubator (TBI), supporting the pathway from research to commercialization.
Employment Conditions
Candidates employed in India or abroad may apply, but if selected, they must resign from their existing role. Deputation or leave arrangements are not permitted.
Fellows who secure permanent positions during the fellowship will cease to receive the monthly fellowship, but may continue receiving the annual research grant.
