Graduate students in India have access to numerous prestigious fellowships aimed at building capacity, enhancing employability, and fostering innovation in various fields. Below is a detailed overview of some key programs:

1. Bioinformatics Industrial Training Programme (BIITP)

  • Objective: Provides hands-on training in bioinformatics to enhance employability.
  • Eligibility: Final-year students or graduates (B.E., B.Tech., M.Sc., M.Tech.) in Bioinformatics with at least 55% marks.
  • Support: Rs. 10,000 monthly stipend, industry-based training.
  • Funding Agency: Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Government of India; Govt. of Karnataka.

Details:
BIITP offers practical industry training to bioinformatics students by placing them in biotechnology companies for six months. This helps students acquire necessary skills for industry jobs, allowing them to work on real-world projects and gain exposure to advanced tools. The stipend and hands-on experience make this fellowship valuable for future bioinformatics professionals.

2. Bioinformatics National Certification Examination (BINC)

  • Objective: Certifies bioinformatics expertise and enhances employment opportunities.
  • Eligibility: Final-year or graduates in Life Sciences, Engineering, or related fields.
  • Support: Certification, eligibility for Junior Research Fellowship (JRF).
  • Funding Agency: DBT, Government of India.

Details:
Instituted in 2005, BINC certifies students with advanced bioinformatics skills through a rigorous selection process. Successful candidates are eligible for research fellowships in bioinformatics at top Indian institutions, and the certification opens doors for employment in bioinformatics industries.

3. Clinical Research Training Programme (CRTP)

  • Objective: Train medical graduates in public health research and clinical studies.
  • Eligibility: Medical graduates (MBBS, MD/MS) with research interest.
  • Support: INR 50 lakhs over 3-4 years for mentored research training.
  • Funding Agency: DBT/Wellcome Trust India Alliance.

Details:
This fellowship is designed to train medical graduates in interdisciplinary research areas relevant to India’s health challenges. Fellows receive mentorship and develop skills in research ethics, design, and data analysis. This initiative aims to enhance India’s clinical research capacity.

4. DBT-Karnataka Finishing School Programme

  • Objective: Equip students with industry-relevant biotechnology skills.
  • Eligibility: Graduates and postgraduates in biotechnology.
  • Support: Paid fellowship, one-year program including internship.
  • Funding Agency: DBT, Government of India.

Details:
Twelve finishing schools in Karnataka provide one-year, industry-oriented programs to graduates, focusing on making them "industry-ready" in biotechnology. The program includes classroom learning and internships, ensuring that students gain practical skills essential for employment in biotech companies.

5. ISHAN UDAY - Special Scholarship Scheme for North Eastern Region

  • Objective: Increase higher education participation in the North Eastern Region.
  • Eligibility: Students from the NER enrolled in general, professional, or technical courses; family income under Rs. 4.5 lakhs.
  • Support: Rs. 5,400/month for general degrees, Rs. 7,800/month for professional courses.
  • Funding Agency: UGC, Government of India.

Details:
The ISHAN UDAY scheme supports students from the North Eastern Region in their pursuit of higher education by providing financial aid. It covers technical, medical, and paramedical courses and aims to improve the region’s Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) by reducing dropout rates.

6. IUSSTF-Viterbi Program

  • Objective: Provides research internships at USC’s Viterbi School of Engineering.
  • Eligibility: Indian Bachelors or Masters students in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or Computational Sciences.
  • Support: Stipend and airfare for 8-week internship.
  • Funding Agency: Indo-US Science and Technology Forum (IUSSTF); University of Southern California.

Details:
This program allows top Indian students to engage in high-level research internships in the U.S., fostering collaboration between Indian and American engineers. The internship offers exposure to cutting-edge research and helps build long-term relationships between Indian and U.S. research institutions.

7. Merit-cum-Means Scholarship Scheme

  • Objective: Provides financial assistance to economically disadvantaged minority students.
  • Eligibility: Minority students pursuing professional or technical courses with a family income under Rs. 2.5 lakhs.
  • Support: Tuition and maintenance allowances.
  • Funding Agency: Ministry of Minority Affairs, Government of India.

Details:
This scholarship helps minority students pursue professional and technical courses by easing their financial burdens. It covers tuition fees and offers a monthly stipend, promoting higher education among economically weaker sections of society.

8. S.N. Bose Scholars Program

  • Objective: Foster international research collaboration between India and the U.S.
  • Eligibility: Indian Bachelors or Masters students in fields like Chemical, Physical, or Engineering Sciences.
  • Support: Stipend, airfare, and health insurance for research internship in the U.S.
  • Funding Agency: SERB, DST, Indo-U.S. Science and Technology Forum.

Details:
Named after physicist S.N. Bose, this program facilitates research internships at U.S. institutions for Indian students in science and engineering fields. It helps build research collaborations between India and the U.S., providing Indian students with international exposure and research opportunities.

9. PRAGATI Scholarship for Girl Students for Technical Education

  • Objective: Support female students in pursuing technical education.
  • Eligibility: Female students enrolled in AICTE-approved technical courses.
  • Support: Financial assistance for tuition and other academic expenses.
  • Funding Agency: All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD).

Details:
The PRAGATI Scholarship aims to encourage female students to take up technical education by providing financial aid. It seeks to increase female participation in technical fields, which are traditionally male-dominated.

10. Prime Minister’s Special Scholarship Scheme (PMSSS) for J&K

  • Objective: Promote higher education for students from Jammu and Kashmir by supporting their studies outside the state.
  • Eligibility: J&K students who have passed Class XII or a 10+3 diploma and whose family income does not exceed Rs. 8 lakhs.
  • Support: Upto Rs. 3 lakhs per annum for medical streams; Rs. 1.25 lakhs per annum for professional courses.
  • Funding Agency: AICTE, MHRD.

Details:
The PMSSS encourages students from Jammu & Kashmir to pursue higher education by offering scholarships for undergraduate studies outside the state, covering tuition fees and maintenance costs. This program aims to improve employability by enhancing skills through access to quality education.

11. Scholarship for Higher Education (SHE) under INSPIRE Program

  • Objective: Encourage talented youth to pursue science education and research careers.
  • Eligibility: Students aged 17-22 enrolled in basic sciences.
  • Support: Rs. 80,000 per year for up to five years.
  • Funding Agency: DST, Government of India.

Details:
Part of the INSPIRE (Innovation in Science Pursuit for Inspired Research) program, SHE aims to nurture future scientists by offering financial support to students pursuing Bachelor’s or Master’s degrees in science. This initiative seeks to attract young talent to scientific research by providing scholarships and mentorship.

12. S.N. Bose Scholars Program

  • Objective: Promote student exchange and research collaboration between India and U.S.
  • Eligibility: Indian students pursuing Bachelors or Masters in sciences such as engineering, physics, mathematics, and chemistry.
  • Support: Stipend, health insurance, and airfare.
  • Funding Agency: SERB, DST, Indo-U.S. Science and Technology Forum.

Details:
This student exchange program provides Indian students an opportunity to experience world-class research in top U.S. universities and institutions, enhancing collaborative research opportunities between India and the U.S.

13. Top Class Education Scholarship for SC Students

  • Objective: Promote quality higher education among SC students.
  • Eligibility: SC students enrolled in recognized institutions.
  • Support: Full tuition fees, living expenses, books, and a one-time grant for computer purchase.
  • Funding Agency: Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, Government of India.

Details:
The Top Class Education Scholarship provides financial support for SC students pursuing professional courses at top Indian institutions. It covers tuition, living expenses, and educational resources, helping them attain quality education and career opportunities.

14. Women Scientist Scheme-A (WOS-A)

  • Objective: Provide research opportunities for women scientists.
  • Eligibility: Women with Ph.D., M.Phil., or Master’s degrees in science and engineering.
  • Support: Rs. 30,000 to Rs. 55,000 per month based on qualifications.
  • Funding Agency: DST, Government of India.

Details:
WOS-A offers financial support to women scientists to pursue research projects, helping prevent brain drain and promote gender equality in the STEM workforce.

15. Women Scientist Scheme-B (WOS-B)

  • Objective: Support women scientists working on projects with societal benefits through science and technology interventions.
  • Eligibility: Women with Ph.D., M.Phil., or equivalent degrees in Basic or Applied Sciences.
  • Support: Rs. 30,000 to Rs. 55,000 per month depending on qualifications.
  • Funding Agency: Department of Science & Technology (DST), Govt. of India.

Details:
WOS-B enables women scientists to develop and lead projects addressing issues like health, environment, and rural development. This program encourages innovation for grassroots improvements, offering women a platform to apply their scientific knowledge to real-world problems.

16. Women Scientist Scheme-C (WOS-C)

  • Objective: Train women scientists in intellectual property rights (IPR) to become experts in the field.
  • Eligibility: Women with advanced science degrees (Ph.D., M.Phil., M.Sc., B.Tech., or equivalent).
  • Support: Rs. 20,000 to Rs. 30,000 per month based on qualifications.
  • Funding Agency: DST, Government of India.

Details:
WOS-C focuses on training women in IPR through hands-on experiences in patent searches, drafting, and other legal aspects of intellectual property. This scheme ensures that women scientists gain specialized knowledge to contribute to technology and innovation protection.

Conclusion

The fellowships and scholarships for graduate students in India offer an array of opportunities across various scientific disciplines. From training in bioinformatics and biotechnology to scholarships for minority and underprivileged students, these programs aim to foster innovation, build capacity, and promote gender inclusivity. Whether students are pursuing research careers or seeking professional development, these programs provide vital financial and mentorship support, helping students transition into industry, academia, or research.