Women Scientist Scheme-A (WOS-A)

What is the Women Scientist Scheme-A?

Women Scientist Scheme-A (WOS-A) is a fellowship of the Department of Science and Technology, under the Ministry of Science and Technology, that helps women scientists return to research after a career break. According to the scheme listing on the myScheme portal, WOS-A is aimed at women who have a break in career of at least two years, most often after marriage, childbirth or relocation, and who are not in regular employment.

WOS-A funds a woman to carry out a research project in basic or applied science at a host institution, paying her a monthly fellowship and a research grant for the duration of the project. It is the "A" component of the Department's Women Scientists Scheme family, focused on research in science and engineering. The Women Scientists programmes now sit within the Department's larger WISE-KIRAN (Women in Science and Engineering) framework, where the doctoral re-entry route is also offered as WISE-PhD.

Key objectives

• Give women scientists a structured route back into research after a break.
• Prevent the permanent loss of trained women from science and engineering.
• Fund independent research projects across five broad scientific disciplines.

Main features

• Monthly fellowship from Rs 31,000 to Rs 55,000 plus HRA, set by qualification.
• A research grant attached to each project, up to Rs 30 lakh at the PhD level.
• Project duration of a maximum of three years.
• Open only to women aged 27 to 57, with a career break of at least two years.
• Applications filed online at online-wosa.gov.in; no fee, no hard copy.

What are the fellowship levels under WOS-A?

According to the myScheme listing, WOS-A sets the fellowship and project cost by the applicant's highest qualification:

The project can be taken up in one of five disciplines: Physical and Mathematical Sciences, Chemical Sciences, Life Sciences, Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, and Engineering Technology.

Who is eligible for WOS-A?

You can apply if:

• You are an Indian woman scientist or technologist.
• You are aged 27 to 57 years as on the closing date of the call. A relaxation of five years applies to SC, ST, OBC and physically challenged applicants.
• You hold at least a postgraduate degree in a science or engineering subject, or an equivalent professional qualification.
• You have a break in career of at least two years and are unemployed or hold only a non-permanent position.
• You have a host institution willing to provide facilities and a mentor who has agreed to supervise the work.

You cannot apply if:

• You are a man; WOS-A is reserved for women, and there is no male category.
• You are in regular, permanent employment, since the scheme is for women who are out of the workforce or in temporary positions.
• You are outside the 27-57 age band (after any applicable relaxation).
• You do not have the required postgraduate qualification, or the project falls outside the five eligible disciplines.
• You have no host institution or mentor consent, which makes the application incomplete, or no call is open; WOS-A runs on announced calls, not rolling applications.

What documents are required for WOS-A?

How to apply for WOS-A

1. Confirm you meet the core conditions — you are a woman aged 27 to 57 with a career break of at least two years, a postgraduate degree and no regular employment.
2. Identify a host institution and mentor. Approach a university, national laboratory or recognised R&D institution and obtain the mentor's written consent to supervise your project.
3. Prepare your research proposal in the WOS-A proforma: objectives, methodology, work plan, timeline and budget within the ceiling for your fellowship level.
4. Watch online-wosa.gov.in and the DST site for the call for proposals, then register on the portal and complete your applicant profile.
5. Fill the online form, choose the fellowship level matching your qualification, and upload your degree and age proof, break-in-career statement, mentor consent, host institution endorsement and category certificate if claimed.
6. Submit online before the call closes. According to the scheme listing, the process is entirely online with no application fee and no hard copy required.
7. Await expert committee evaluation. Selected candidates receive a sanction order stating the fellowship, research grant and project duration.

How much does WOS-A pay, and for how long?

WOS-A pays a monthly fellowship of Rs 55,000 plus HRA for PhD holders, Rs 40,000 plus HRA for M.Phil./M.Tech. holders and Rs 31,000 plus HRA for M.Sc. holders, along with a research grant, up to Rs 30 lakh, Rs 25 lakh and Rs 20 lakh respectively, that covers equipment, consumables and travel for the project. The project runs for a maximum of three years.

Because DST periodically revises fellowship rates through office memoranda, and the Women Scientists programmes are administered within the WISE-KIRAN framework, always check the figures in the current call document rather than relying on an older notice.

Help and contact for WOS-A

• WISE-KIRAN / Women Scientists Division, Department of Science and Technology, Technology Bhawan, New Mehrauli Road, New Delhi 110016 to phone 011-26567373
• Application portal: online-wosa.gov.in
• Scheme pages and call notices: dst.gov.in: search for "Women Scientists" or "WISE-KIRAN"

WOS-A applications are free. DST does not appoint agents, and no intermediary can secure a fellowship on your behalf.