Women Scientist Scheme-A (WOS-A) 2026: Research Fellowship, Eligibility & Application

At a glance

About the scheme

The Women Scientist Scheme-A (WOS-A), run by the Ministry of Science and Technology, supports female researchers wishing to pursue scientific studies in frontier science and engineering disciplines. It specifically encourages women who have faced a career break or lack regular employment to re-enter professional research. Selected candidates receive project funding for up to three years covering personal fellowship, research equipment, travel, consumables, and contingencies across five key science streams.

Benefits

• Financial support via research grant for a maximum duration of three years for a well-defined project proposal.
• Grant covers the personal fellowship of the applicant.
• Funding includes expenses for small equipment, consumables, travel, and contingencies.
• Institutional overhead charges are provided additionally.
• Payment of the fellowship is transferred directly through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).
• Opportunity to pursue a Ph.D. alongside the approved WOS-A project.

Who can apply (eligibility)

• The applicant must be a female.
• The applicant must either be unemployed or in a position other than a regular or permanent post (all temporary/contractual assignments in academics and research are considered as a break).
• Preference is given to candidates with a career break of at least two years.
• The applicant must be between 27 and 57 years of age.
• A 5-year age relaxation is applicable for SC, ST, OBC, and physically challenged candidates.
• Applicant must hold at least a Post Graduate degree (equivalent to M.Sc. in Basic or Applied Sciences, B.Tech., MBBS, or other equivalent professional qualifications), or M.Phil., M.Tech., M.Pharm., M.V.Sc., or a Ph.D. in Basic or Applied Sciences.
• Research proposals must fall under one of five disciplines: Physical & Mathematical Sciences (PMS), Chemical Sciences (CS), Life Sciences (LS), Earth & Atmospheric Sciences (EAS), or Engineering Technology (ET).

Who cannot apply

• Applicants under 27 years of age are not eligible.
• Male candidates are not eligible.
• Candidates holding regular or permanent employment are not eligible.
• Fellowship will be terminated if the beneficiary fails to get promoted to the next semester.

Documents required

• Educational qualification certificates and degree mark sheets (in PDF format, maximum 2MB each).
• Age proof document.
• Caste or category certificate for SC/ST/OBC (if seeking age relaxation).
• Disability certificate for physically challenged applicants (if seeking age relaxation).
• Detailed research project proposal.
• Experience or break in career verification records.

How to apply

1. 1Visit the official portal at https://online-wosa.gov.in/wosa/ to start the online application process.
2. 2Register on the portal by entering your basic personal and academic details to generate login credentials.
3. 3Log in to your account and fill out the detailed application form for the WOS-A scheme.
4. 4Upload all necessary supporting documents and project proposal in PDF format (maximum size 2MB each).
5. 5Review your filled draft application (mandatory fields are marked with a red asterisk) and submit the form online without paying any application fee.

Frequently asked questions