Published – September 16, 2026
The WISE Fellowship for Ph.D. (WISE-PhD) is a research fellowship from the Department of Science & Technology (DST), Government of India, under the WISE-KIRAN programme. It supports eligible women who want to pursue doctoral research in basic and applied sciences. The fellowship provides ₹37,000 per month, HRA as per applicable norms and a research grant of ₹1 lakh per year for a project of up to five years.
For women looking for a scholarship for women in research, WISE-PhD is specifically relevant to those planning or pursuing a Ph.D. in science, engineering and related research areas.
If you are exploring financial support for doctoral studies, see our detailed guide to Scholarship for PhD Students in India, which covers different funding opportunities available to Ph.D. students in India.
WISE-PhD Fellowship: Key Details
| Particular | Details |
| Fellowship | WISE Fellowship for Ph.D. |
| Conducted by | Department of Science & Technology (DST) |
| Government | Government of India |
| Programme | WISE-KIRAN |
| Target group | Women pursuing Ph.D. research |
| Age limit | 27 to 45 years |
| Maximum duration | Up to 5 years |
| Fellowship | ₹37,000 per month |
| HRA | As per applicable norms |
| Research grant | ₹1 lakh per year |
| Research areas | Five scientific disciplines |
Who Can Apply for WISE-PhD?
The fellowship is intended for women who want to undertake doctoral research in eligible areas of basic and applied sciences.
1. Educational Qualification
Applicants should have a postgraduate degree in Basic or Applied Sciences or an equivalent qualification from a recognised institution.
The programme guidelines include qualifications such as M.Sc., M.Tech., M.Phil., M.Pharm. and B.Tech., subject to the relevance of the qualification and proposed research.
2. Age Limit
The normal age requirement is 27 to 45 years.
The upper age limit is relaxed by three years for SC, ST and PH candidates, subject to the programme rules.
3. Ph.D. Status
Both women who are yet to register for a Ph.D. and eligible women who have already registered can be considered under the programme, subject to the fellowship conditions.
However, a candidate who has already completed two years of Ph.D. at the time of application is not eligible. A candidate must also not be receiving another fellowship for the same research.
Women in regular employment are not eligible for WISE-PhD.
Research Areas Covered
WISE-PhD covers research under five broad scientific disciplines:
- Physical and Mathematical Sciences
- Chemical Sciences
- Life Sciences
- Earth and Atmospheric Sciences
- Engineering and Technology
These areas make the programme relevant to women conducting doctoral research across a wide range of science and technology subjects. DST has also published WISE-PhD selections across these subject areas.
WISE-PhD Fellowship Amount
Selected fellows receive:
- ₹37,000 per month as fellowship
- HRA as per applicable Government norms
- ₹1 lakh per year as a research grant
- ₹50,000 per year as institutional overhead charges
DST revised the WISE-PhD fellowship rate to ₹37,000 per month, with the revised fellowship applicable from 1 January 2023.
The research grant is intended to support expenses connected with the approved research project rather than functioning as an additional monthly payment to the fellow.
WISE-PhD Fellowship Duration
The fellowship supports research for a maximum period of five years.
An important condition is that the scientific problem pursued through the WISE-PhD project should be the same scientific problem being pursued in the candidate’s Ph.D. This connects the fellowship-supported project directly with the doctoral research.
How to Apply for WISE-PhD?
Applications are submitted through the DST Electronic Project Management System (e-PMS) when a WISE-PhD call is open.
Applicants should:
- Check the eligibility conditions.
- Identify an eligible research area.
- Prepare the required research proposal.
- Submit the application and supporting information through the DST e-PMS portal.
- Follow the instructions given in the specific call for proposals.
Application Portal: DST e-PMS – Online DST
The previous WISE-PhD call was closed on 31 December 2024 for updating the programme and call modalities. DST stated that a fresh call would subsequently be announced. Therefore, applicants should check the latest official DST notification before applying rather than relying on an old deadline.
WISE-PhD Fellowship Selection Process
The selection is based on the submitted research proposal and the programme’s evaluation process. Applications undergo screening and scientific assessment before recommendations are made for support.
A strong application therefore needs to meet the eligibility requirements and present a research proposal that clearly fits the WISE-PhD framework and the applicant’s doctoral research.
WISE-PhD vs WISE-PDF
WISE-PhD and WISE-PDF serve different stages of a research career.
| Feature | WISE-PhD | WISE-PDF |
| Purpose | Ph.D. research | Post-Ph.D. research |
| Qualification | PG/equivalent | Ph.D./equivalent |
| Maximum age | 45 years | 60 years |
| Duration | Up to 5 years | Up to 3 years |
WISE-PDF is intended for women who have already completed a Ph.D. and want to continue research through an independent post-doctoral project.
FAQs
1. Who is eligible for the WISE-PhD Fellowship?
Women aged 27–45 years with the required qualification who meet the programme’s research, employment and Ph.D.-status conditions can apply.
2. How much fellowship is provided under WISE-PhD?
The fellowship is ₹37,000 per month, along with HRA as applicable and a ₹1 lakh annual research grant.
3. Can a woman already registered for a Ph.D. apply?
Yes, eligible registered candidates can apply, provided they satisfy the programme conditions, including the restriction concerning completion of two years of Ph.D. and receipt of another fellowship.
4. Which research fields are covered?
The programme covers Physical and Mathematical Sciences, Chemical Sciences, Life Sciences, Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, and Engineering and Technology.
5. Where can applicants check the next call?
Applicants should check the official DST WISE-PhD page and e-PMS portal for the latest call, eligibility conditions and application instructions.
The WISE-PhD Fellowship is therefore a dedicated scholarship for women in research who want to build their doctoral research career in science, engineering and related fields. Because calls and programme procedures can change, applicants should always verify the latest notification published by DST before submitting an application.
Women pursuing higher education can also explore other financial aid opportunities beyond research fellowships. For more options, see our detailed guide on Scholarships for Girl Students, which covers scholarships available to female students at different stages of education.
