SERB-POWER Fellowship for Women Scientists

What is the SERB-POWER Fellowship?

SERB-POWER Fellowship is a scheme of the Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB); whose functions now sit under the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF): in the Department of Science and Technology, Ministry of Science and Technology. POWER stands for "Promoting Opportunities for Women in Exploratory Research." The programme was launched to address the under-representation of women in science leadership and to give established women scientists dedicated support to pursue ambitious research.

According to SERB, the POWER framework has two arms: a research grant component for a wider set of women investigators, and the more selective POWER Fellowship, which is the subject of this guide. The Fellowship is a mark of recognition for accomplished women scientists, giving them a monthly fellowship on top of their salary along with funding to carry out frontier research at their host institution.

Around 25 fellowships are awarded in a year, making POWER Fellowship a prestigious, competitive recognition rather than a routine grant.

Who is eligible for the SERB-POWER Fellowship?

You can apply if you are:

• A woman scientist or engineer working in a recognised academic or research institution in India.
• Holding a regular or permanent position. The fellowship is designed for women who already have an established research career, not for those in temporary or training roles.
• Within the age band specified in the current POWER Fellowship guidelines, which targets mid-career to senior researchers.
• Able to present a strong research record and a credible research proposal.

You cannot apply if you are:

• A man: POWER is exclusively for women scientists.
• A student, research scholar or postdoctoral fellow, or anyone without a regular/permanent position.
• Outside the eligible age band, or without an active, demonstrable research record.
• A member of the general public. This is not a citizen-facing benefit or scholarship. Only qualifying women scientists in institutions apply.

Because eligibility hinges on holding a regular research position and a proven track record, POWER Fellowship reaches only a narrow, specialised group.

What does the SERB-POWER Fellowship provide?

A selected POWER Fellow receives three things for a fixed tenure of three years:

• A monthly fellowship paid over and above her regular salary, in recognition of her standing as a scientist.
• A research grant to fund the exploratory research proposed in her application, consumables, equipment, travel and related costs.
• An overhead component to the host institution to support the research.

The fellowship is non-extendable — three years is the full term. This guide does not quote a single fixed rupee figure for the monthly fellowship, research grant and overhead, because these are set in the current SERB/ANRF POWER Fellowship guidelines and are periodically revised. Confirm the exact amounts in the latest call for applications on the ANRF/SERB portal.

How to apply for the SERB-POWER Fellowship

The POWER Fellowship is awarded through a competitive online process managed by SERB/ANRF, not through any public application counter.

1. Watch the ANRF/SERB portal (anrfonline.in / serb.gov.in) for the POWER Fellowship call for applications, which opens periodically.
2. Register and log in to the SERB/ANRF online application system as the applicant scientist.
3. Complete the application with your biodata, research record, proposed exploratory research plan, and proof of your regular position and age.
4. Obtain institutional endorsement from your host institution, confirming it will host the fellowship.
5. Submit the application online before the deadline stated in the call.
6. Await peer review and selection by the SERB/ANRF expert committee, which ranks applications on research standing and the strength of the proposal.

Because selection is competitive and merit-based, meeting the minimum eligibility does not guarantee an award, the small annual intake is filled by the strongest applications.

SERB to ANRF: what changed

SERB was constituted under the SERB Act, 2008. Following the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) Act, 2023, ANRF was established as the apex body for research funding in India, and SERB's schemes; including POWER; now function under ANRF. For applicants this mainly means that the portal, branding and administrative home of the scheme now sit with ANRF, while the core purpose of POWER Fellowship is unchanged. Always use the latest official call for the current rules and amounts.

Help and where to check

• ANRF portal: anrfonline.in: current POWER Fellowship calls, guidelines and the online application
• SERB: serb.gov.in; scheme background and legacy information
• Applicants should route queries through the helpdesk on the ANRF/SERB online portal and through their institution's research/sponsored-projects office

There is no separate public helpline for the POWER Fellowship, and no agent can secure an award: selection is by peer review of the scientist's own application.