INSPIRE Faculty Scheme

Ministry of Science and Technology
Department of Science and Technology

4th ADVERTISEMENT – 2013 (1)
INSPIRE Faculty Scheme: a component of “Assured Opportunity for
Research Career (AORC)” under INSPIRE.

The Department of Science and Technology, Government of India, has launched the “Innovation in Science Pursuit for Inspired Research (INSPIRE)” [http://www.inspire-dst.gov.in] program in 2008.

The program aims to attract talent for study of science and careers with research. INSPIRE includes many components for different age groups. The importance of Assured Career Opportunity in R&D sector has been recognized. INSPIRE Faculty Award Scheme opens up an “Assured Opportunity for Research Career (AORC)” for young researchers in the age group of 27-32 years.

a) 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 Theses 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 January 2013 should be 32 years for considering support for a period of 5 years. However, for SC and ST candidates upper age limit will be 35 years.

 Candidates who are employed (in any form i.e. permanent, contractual) with any organization within India will be eligible to apply. However, they will be considered only for the Research Grant component of the INSPIRE Faculty Award scheme.

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)
 Publications with an aggregate Impact Factor 10 OR at least three research publications in SCI journals (one in case of Mathematics) of high Impact Factor.

The upper age limit as on 1st January 2013 should be 32 years for considering support for a period of 5 years.

However, for SC and ST candidates upper age limit will be 35 years. It 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.

 Each selected INSPIRE Faculty shall be eligible to receive a consolidated amount equivalent to the entry level salary of an Assistant Professor in any IIT system as an Award amount, in addition to a Research Grant of Rs. 7 lakhs per year. The INSPIRE Faculty Award is tenable for a maximum period of 5 (five) years.

 Three routes i.e. Direct (A), Nomination (B) and Institution mode are available for applying by the eligible candidates.

 Under `Institutions Mode’, reputed academic institutions shall be required to adopt and complete the internal process as per guidelines and mechanisms available for the INSPIRE Faculty Award before forwarding names of pre-selected candidates for final selection by the Apex Committee.

 Eligible candidate, who wish to be considered in ‘Direct (A)’ and ‘Nominated (B)’ routes, may send applications directly to Indian National Science Academy (INSA), New Delhi for consideration.

 Nominations from academic institutions or Industry R&D through Vice-Chancellors/Directors of Institutions/Heads of Institutions/Presidents and Fellows of Science Academies or Eminent Scientists from India and Abroad based on personal knowledge under `Nominated Mode’.

 Applications from eligible candidates both in ‘Direct Mode (A) and Nominated Mode (B) must reach in the prescribed format completed in all respect with hard copies of the necessary enclosures to The Executive Director, Indian National Science Academy (INSA), Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg, New Delhi – 110002 on or before 28th February 2013.

[For Details Guidelines and Format etc., please visit Website: www.inspire-dst.gov.in]