The Central Government’s WISE-SCOPE Fellowship gives a second chance to women scientists who moved away from research because of marriage or family responsibilities. The fellowship is run under the WISE-KIRAN programme of the Department of Science and Technology, and its full name is Women in Science and Engineering — Societal Challenges with Optimised Projects for Environment. Women scientists work on major societal problems such as energy, water, health, environment and agriculture. Earlier, this programme was called the Women Scientist Scheme-B, and it is now known as the WISE-SCOPE Fellowship.
How much money is given
Women scientists get a fellowship of ₹55,000 a month under this scheme, along with house rent allowance. A research grant of ₹2 lakh a year is given for the research work, and ₹1 lakh is given for field demonstration.
- Fellowship: ₹55,000 per month plus house rent allowance
- Research grant: ₹2 lakh per year
- Field demonstration: ₹1 lakh during the project tenure
- Small equipment: up to ₹2 lakh during the project tenure
- Duration: up to 3 years
Who can apply
The eligibility conditions are as follows.
- Women scientists, aged between 27 and 60 years
- PhD in basic or applied science, engineering or mathematics
- Women wishing to return to research after a career break
- Should not be in regular employment
- Research proposal based on a societal challenge such as energy, water, health or agriculture
- Facility to carry out research at a host institute
The applicant has to choose a recognised institute or university as the host institute, where the research can be carried out. A mentor from the institute is also required, who guides the research.
How to apply
Applications are made through the online portal of the Department of Science and Technology. The applicant has to register on the portal and fill in the research proposal, academic details and host institute information. The last application cycle closed on 28 February 2025, and the next cycle has not been announced yet. An update on the department’s website dated 22 April 2026 says the next cycle will be announced soon, but no new notification had come till 25 October 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: How much money is given under the WISE-SCOPE Fellowship? A: ₹55,000 a month plus house rent allowance, along with a research grant of ₹2 lakh a year and a field demonstration grant of ₹1 lakh. Q2: Who can apply for this fellowship? A: Women scientists aged 27 to 60 with a PhD in science, engineering or mathematics, who want to return to research after a career break. Q3: When will the next application cycle open? A: The last cycle closed on 28 February 2025. The next cycle has not been announced yet and its announcement on the department’s website is awaited. Q4: What was WISE-SCOPE called earlier? A: Earlier, this programme was called the Women Scientist Scheme-B. It is now run as the WISE-SCOPE Fellowship under the WISE-KIRAN programme.
Useful links
- Scheme details on MyScheme: https://www.myscheme.gov.in/schemes/wise-scope-fellowship
- Department of Science and Technology portal: https://onlinedst.gov.in
- Also see — SERB-POWER Fellowship for women scientists: https://www.viksitharyana.com/english/central-government-serb-power-fellowship-haryana/
- Complete list of all 726 Central Government schemes: https://www.viksitharyana.com/english/kendra-sarkar-ki-yojnayen-2/
