Women Scientist Scheme-B (WOS-B)

What is Women Scientist Scheme-B (WOS-B)?

Women Scientist Scheme-B (WOS-B) is one of three components of the Women Scientists Scheme (WOS) run by the Department of Science and Technology (DST) under the Ministry of Science and Technology. WOS-B specifically supports women scientists who want to return to research after a break in their careers and who choose to work on science and technology solutions for societal problems at the grassroots level. The two sister components are WOS-A (basic and applied research) and WOS-C (internship in intellectual property rights).

According to the scheme details on the National Government portals, a selected woman scientist receives a monthly fellowship of Rs 31,000 to Rs 55,000 and a separate project budget, for a period of up to three years. The core idea is to help talented women who left science; often for family reasons — to come back and apply their skills to real problems in areas like health, agriculture, water, sanitation, waste management and rural livelihoods.

Fellowship and project budget by qualification

• Ph.D. or equivalent: Rs 55,000 per month; project cap up to Rs 30 lakh
• M.Phil./M.Tech. or equivalent: Rs 40,000 per month; project cap up to Rs 25 lakh
• M.Sc. or equivalent: Rs 31,000 per month; project cap up to Rs 20 lakh

The project caps are exclusive of House Rent Allowance and institutional overhead charges. The budget covers items such as consumables, minor equipment, travel and contingency needed to carry out the proposed work.

Who is eligible for Women Scientist Scheme-B?

You can apply if:

• You are a woman scientist.
• You are between 27 and 57 years of age (relaxation for SC/ST/OBC and Persons with Disabilities).
• You hold a postgraduate degree (M.Sc., M.Tech., M.Phil. or Ph.D.) in a science or technology discipline.
• You have had a career break of at least two years after your highest qualification.
• You are currently unemployed or in a non-permanent position.
• You have arranged a mentor in a regular position and a host institution willing to support the project.

You cannot apply if:

• You are in a permanent or regular job, the scheme is only for women returning to research.
• You are outside the 27 to 57 age band (subject to permitted relaxations).
• You do not have a science/technology postgraduate degree.
• You cannot secure a mentor and host institution for the proposed work.

WOS-B is competitive. A proposal is judged on the quality and social relevance of the research idea, the applicant's background and the credibility of the host institution and mentor. Meeting the eligibility conditions makes you a valid applicant; it does not guarantee an award.

What documents are required for WOS-B?

How to apply for Women Scientist Scheme-B

1. Identify a project idea with clear societal impact, then find a mentor in a regular position and a host institution ready to support the work.
2. Register on the WOS online portal at online-wosa.gov.in and choose the WOS-B component.
3. Prepare and fill the online proposal, including objectives, methodology, timeline, budget and the endorsements of your mentor and host institution.
4. Submit the application online before the notified deadline.
5. Send the signed hard copy of the submitted application so it reaches the department within twenty days of the online submission deadline.

Proposals then go through expert review and a screening process. Applicants should track the DST website and the WOS portal for the current call, formats and deadlines, as these change with each cycle.

How is WOS-B different from a permanent research job?

WOS-B is a time-bound fellowship, not permanent employment. It runs for up to three years and does not create any right to a regular post in the host institution or in DST. The scheme's purpose is to rebuild a woman scientist's research profile during the funded period so she can move on to a fellowship, faculty position or further grant afterwards. Individuals looking for a standing salaried job should not treat WOS-B as one.

Help and contact

• Programme email: wosb-dst[at]gov[dot]in
• WOS portal: online-wosa.gov.in for registration and application status
• Department of Science and Technology, Technology Bhavan, New Delhi, for scheme queries

A dedicated public helpline number for WOS-B is not published. Applicants should use the programme email and the portal's support channels, and refer to the official call document for each cycle for the exact contact of the handling scientist.