INSPIRE Scholarship for Higher Education (SHE)
Department of Science & Technology (DST), Government of India
Application deadline
Check the official page
Overview
INSPIRE-SHE (Scholarship for Higher Education) is a scholarship from the Department of Science & Technology (DST), Government of India, for students who choose to study natural sciences. Its aim is to get more talented young people into science-intensive courses.
The scheme offers 10,000 scholarships every year at ₹80,000 per year (₹0.80 lakh), for students in the 17-22 age group who are doing Bachelor's and Master's level education in natural sciences.
A key part of INSPIRE-SHE is that money is not the only support — every scholar gets mentorship, which the DST calls the main feature of the scheme. You are connected with working scientists who guide your studies and research.
INSPIRE-SHE is one of three parts of the wider INSPIRE programme (Innovation in Science Pursuit for Inspired Research), which the Government approved in November 2008. The other two parts are SEATS, which gives ₹5,000 INSPIRE Awards to school students aged 10-15 and runs science camps for Class XI students, and AORC, which offers 1,000 INSPIRE Fellowships a year for PhD study and 1,000 INSPIRE Faculty positions for post-doctoral researchers.
Apply online at online-inspire.gov.in. Check the portal's notice board for the current year's application window.
At a glance
| Who can apply | UG, PG |
|---|---|
| Streams | Natural Sciences |
| Category | All |
| Age | 17–22 years |
| Income limit | — |
| Gender | All |
| States | All India |
| Benefit / amount | ₹80,000 per year (₹0.80 lakh) |
| Duration | For your Bachelor's and Master's level study in natural sciences |
| Renewable | Yes |
| Last date | See official page |
| Opened | — |
How you're selected
10,000 scholarships are offered every year to talented youth in the 17-22 age group. Every scholar also receives mentorship support, which the DST describes as the main feature of the scheme.
FAQs
Who can apply for INSPIRE-SHE? Talented students aged 17-22 years taking up Bachelor's or Master's level education in natural sciences.
How much is the scholarship? ₹80,000 per year (₹0.80 lakh).
How many scholarships are given? 10,000 every year.
Do I get anything besides money? Yes — mentorship support is provided to every scholar, and DST describes this as the main feature of the scheme.
What is the age limit? 17 to 22 years.
How is SHE different from INSPIRE Fellowship? SHE is for Bachelor's and Master's study in natural sciences. The INSPIRE Fellowship (part of AORC) is for PhD research and is for the 22-27 age group.
Where do I apply? Online at online-inspire.gov.in. Check the notice board there for the current year's dates.