New Delhi: The Department of Science and Technology (DST) has invited applications/nominations for INSPIRE Faculty Award under “Assured Opportunity for Research Career (AORC)” scheme for young researchers for the session July – December 2017. The scheme offers a contractual research awards to young achievers and opportunity for independent research in the near term and emerge as a future leader in the long term. The closing date for submission of application is 21 August 2017.
The Department of Science and Technology, Government of India, has launched the “Innovation in Science Pursuit for Inspired Research (INSPIRE) program in 2008. The program aims to attract talent for study of science and careers with research. INSPIRE includes many components including. The program invites applications from eligible candidates twice a year.
Eligibility:
Essential
Indian citizens and people of Indian origin including NRI/PIO status with PhD (in science, mathematics, engineering, pharmacy, medicine, and agriculture related subjects) from any recognized university in the world.
Those who have submitted their PhD Thesis and are awaiting award of the degree are also eligible. However, the award will be conveyed only after confirmation of the awarding the PhD degree.
The upper age limit as on 1st July 2017 is 32 years for considering support for a period of 5 years. However, for SC and ST candidates upper age limit will be 35 years.
Publication(s) in highly reputed Journals demonstrating research potential of the candidate.
Candidates who are employed in regular/contractual position within India may apply in INSPIRE Faculty towards improvement and enhancement of his/her career prospects but upon selection, the candidate needs to resign (no lien or deputation or any type of leave would be accepted) from the current job and organization, for the implementation of INSPIRE Faculty Award.
Desirable
Candidates who are within top 1% at the School Leaving Examination, IIT-JEE rank, 1st Rank Holder either in graduation or post-graduation level university examination (which are used presently for identifying INSPIRE Scholars at under-graduate level and INSPIRE Fellows for doctoral degree).
Incentives & Tenure: Each selected INSPIRE Faculty shall be eligible to receive a consolidated amount equivalent to the scale of the Assistant Professor of an IIT as Fellowship amount. In addition, a Research Grant of Rs 7 lakh per year for 5 years shall also be provided to each successful candidate.
The INSPIRE Faculty Award is for a maximum period of 5 (five) years.
The INSPIRE Faculty is eligible to apply for any competitive grant from agencies during the tenure of the INSPIRE Faculty position and would be favorably considered by DST for future support based on performance and technical merit.
Two routes Direct and Nomination mode are available for applying by the eligible candidates. Candidates, who intend to apply in Direct or Nomination Mode, should apply online only. Application Formats with detailed guidelines are available at the websites: www.inspire- dst.gov.in for information.
Nominations from academic institutions or Industry R&D through Vice-Chancellors/Directors of Institutions/ Head of Institutions/ Presidents and Fellows of Science Academies or Eminent Scientists from India and Abroad based on personal knowledge. Nominations to be sent to Indian National Science Academy (INSA), New Delhi.
For exact eligibility conditions, how to apply and other details, interested candidates should visit official notification uploaded on the official website of INSPIRE:
