WISE-SCOPE Fellowship (Women in Science and Engineering – Societal Challenges with Opportunities)

What is the WISE-SCOPE Fellowship?

WISE-SCOPE: Women in Science and Engineering – Societal Challenges with Opportunities: is a fellowship run by the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Ministry of Science and Technology. It is one component of the DST WISE-KIRAN programme (the DISHA programme for women in science, which succeeded the earlier Women Scientists Scheme / KIRAN initiatives).

The distinguishing idea of WISE-SCOPE is direction rather than discipline. Where some fellowships fund pure laboratory research, WISE-SCOPE supports women who want to apply a science, engineering or technology background to societal challenges: problems in areas such as health, sanitation, environment, livelihoods and community development. It is aimed particularly at women scientists who are seeking to re-enter research or professional work, often after a break in their careers, a long-standing objective of DST's women-in-science programmes.

According to the DST e-PMS portal, WISE-SCOPE proposals are invited through a call for proposals; the 2024-25 call for WISE-SCOPE (alongside the WIDUSHI programme) closed on 28 February 2025. Applications are submitted online.

Key facts that are on the official portal

• Run by DST under the WISE-KIRAN umbrella for women in science.
• A women-only fellowship.
• Focused on societal-challenge projects, not only academic research.
• Applications through the DST e-PMS portal at onlinedst.gov.in.

Who is eligible for the WISE-SCOPE Fellowship?

You can apply if:

• You are a woman with a qualification in science, engineering or technology.
• You wish to work on a societal-challenge project with a clear application of your S&T background.
• You have (typically) had a break in your career and want to return to research or professional work — this is the group WISE-KIRAN fellowships are designed to serve.
• You have a host institution willing to support the project.

You cannot apply if:

• You are a man; WISE-SCOPE is a women-only fellowship and men are not eligible.
• You do not hold a science, engineering or technology qualification.
• You are seeking a general grant unrelated to a societal-challenge project.

Because the precise age band, qualification levels and fellowship rates are set out in each year's call document and are revised periodically, confirm those specifics in the current WISE-SCOPE call on onlinedst.gov.in before applying.

What does the fellowship provide?

WISE-SCOPE provides a monthly fellowship to the selected woman scientist, along with support to carry out the approved project, as per DST fellowship norms. The exact monthly rate depends on qualification and is set in the call document. This guide deliberately does not state a rupee figure, because DST revises these rates from time to time and the authoritative amount is the one published in the live call; always verify it there.

How to apply for the WISE-SCOPE Fellowship

1. Open the DST e-PMS portal at onlinedst.gov.in and check for an open WISE-SCOPE call for proposals.
2. Register on the portal and complete your profile.
3. Prepare your project proposal on a societal-challenge theme using the DST WISE-SCOPE proposal format.
4. Attach your qualification proofs, host-institution consent and identity documents.
5. Submit online before the deadline (the 2024-25 call closed on 28 February 2025). Await evaluation by DST's expert committee.

How WISE-SCOPE fits into WISE-KIRAN

WISE-KIRAN is DST's umbrella for women in science, and it has more than one fellowship track. WISE-PDF is a post-doctoral fellowship for women who hold a PhD; WISE-SCOPE supports women applying their S&T background to societal problems; and related calls such as WIDUSHI target senior women scientists. Choosing the right track matters: a PhD holder pursuing academic research fits WISE-PDF, while a woman scientist wanting to solve a community problem fits WISE-SCOPE.

What to prepare before the call opens

WISE-SCOPE calls open for a limited window, so it helps to be ready in advance. Registration on the DST e-PMS portal is a one-time process, and the same account can be used across DST calls, so create it early rather than during the closing rush. Line up a host institution willing to endorse and host your project, since DST fellowships of this kind require institutional support rather than a purely individual application. Draft your societal-challenge proposal so that the problem, your science or technology approach, and the expected outcome are each stated plainly; societal-impact proposals are judged on how clearly the S&T method connects to a real community need. Keep your qualification certificates and identity documents scanned and ready to upload.

Help and where to verify

• The authoritative source for eligibility, fellowship amounts and open calls is the DST e-PMS portal at onlinedst.gov.in.
• DST e-PMS support email: pmso.dst@nic.in.

Because DST-hosted scheme pages were not fully reachable at the time of writing, this guide records only facts confirmed on the DST e-PMS portal and deliberately omits any fellowship rupee amount that could not be verified there. Confirm all figures and the current call status on onlinedst.gov.in before applying. Last fact-checked 1 August 2026.