SERB International Research Experience (SIRE)

What is SERB International Research Experience (SIRE)?

SERB International Research Experience (SIRE) is a research-mobility scheme of the Department of Science and Technology, Ministry of Science and Technology. It was launched by the Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB), which has since been subsumed into the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF). According to the SERB/ANRF portal, SIRE gives Indian researchers the opportunity to visit leading institutions and universities across the globe for a period of 2 to 6 months to gain high-end research training in frontier areas of science and technology.

The idea is to let established Indian faculty and scientists spend a focused stint in a top overseas laboratory, build collaborations, learn advanced techniques and bring that experience back to their home institution: without leaving their permanent Indian position.

Key facts

• Duration: up to 6 months at a host institution abroad.
• Monthly fellowship of about US $3,000.
• Shortest-route economy class airfare both ways.
• One-time contingency/preparatory allowance of Rs 75,000 and overseas medical insurance of Rs 20,000.

Who is eligible for SIRE?

SIRE is meant for researchers who are already embedded in the Indian research system, not for students or job-seekers.

You can apply if:

• You are an Indian national.
• You hold a PhD in Science or Engineering (or an MBBS/MD or veterinary degree) from a recognised Indian institution.
• You hold a permanent position at an Indian research or academic institution.
• You are within the age limit of 40 years as on the date of application. A relaxation of 5 years applies to SC, ST, OBC, physically challenged and women applicants.
• You have secured a letter of support from the proposed overseas host institution.

TARE (Teachers Associateship for Research Excellence) award holders are also eligible to apply.

You cannot apply if:

• You do not hold a permanent institutional position: research scholars, project staff and postdoctoral fellows without a regular post are not eligible under SIRE.
• You are over the age limit (after any applicable relaxation).
• You are not an Indian national.
• You do not have a confirmed overseas host willing to approve your research plan.

This is a benefit for individual researchers, but only through their institution, there is no route for a member of the public with no research position to obtain a personal grant under SIRE.

What does SIRE provide?

According to the SERB/ANRF portal, a selected SIRE fellow receives:

• A monthly fellowship of US $3,000 for the duration of the visit.
• Economy class air fare by the shortest route, from the place of work in India to the host institute and back.
• A one-time contingency/preparatory allowance of Rs 75,000 to cover visa fees, airport transfer, insurance and similar costs.
• Overseas medical insurance of Rs 20,000 covering the fellow in India and abroad.

The fellowship supports the researcher's stay and work at the host lab; it is not a salary top-up over and above the Indian position, which continues in parallel.

What documents are required?

How to apply for SIRE

SIRE is applied for entirely online through the SERB/ANRF portal. There is no paper or walk-in route. The steps are:

1. Correspond with a proposed overseas host in advance and obtain a letter of approval of your research plan — this consent letter is mandatory.
2. Register and log in at serbonline.in (the SERB/ANRF online portal).
3. Complete your profile and bio-data; photograph, qualifications and research experience: as these sections are mandatory.
4. Upload the research plan (PDF, up to 10 MB) along with the host consent letter, host scientist bio-data, plagiarism undertaking and institutional endorsement.
5. Attach age proof and, if applicable, a category certificate to claim age relaxation.
6. Submit the application through your institution for evaluation by SERB/ANRF.

Applications are assessed by expert committees, and selection depends on the merit of the proposal, the standing of the host lab and the fit with SIRE's aim of building high-end research capacity.

Help and where to check

• Scheme page: serb.gov.in/page/sire
• Application portal: serbonline.in
• The Program Coordinator/Program Officer listed on the SIRE page for scheme-specific queries
• Your institution's research or sponsored-projects office for endorsement

Because SIRE is a competitive research fellowship, applicants should apply during the announced call window and ensure their host consent and institutional endorsement are ready before submitting.