Swarnajayanti Fellowship (also known as the Swarnajayanti Fellowships Scheme) is a research fellowship in India awarded annually by the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India. It was instituted to commemorate India's fiftieth year of Independence (1997).
Overview
The fellowship is designed to support a select number of young scientists with a proven track record, enabling them to pursue basic research in frontier areas of science and technology. The award is scientist-specific (not institution-specific) and is intended to provide recipients with freedom and flexibility in conducting their research.
Eligibility
- Must be a citizen of India.
- Must be under 40 years of age.
- Must have a proven track record of research.
- Must have employment support from an Indian institute of their choosing.
Nature of Support
- Fellowship amount: ₹25,000 per month in addition to the salary drawn from the parent institute.
- Research grant: ₹5 lakh (₹500,000) per annum.
- Duration: Up to 5 years.
- The selected fellows and their projects are considered for additional funding by the Science & Engineering Research Board (SERB) as per SERB norms.
Disciplines
The fellowship is awarded across six disciplines:
- Chemical Sciences
- Earth and Atmospheric Sciences
- Engineering Sciences
- Mathematical Sciences
- Life Science
- Physical Sciences
Administration
The scheme is administered by the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India. The advertisement for the fellowship for each year is published on the DST website. The selection process is highly selective and involves close academic monitoring.
First Award
1997
Official Website
https://dst.gov.in/scientific-programmes/scientific-engineering-research/human-resource-development-and-nurturing-young-talent-swarnajayanti-fellowships-scheme
