SERB International Research Experience
SERB International Research Experience (SIRE)
The SERB International Research Experience (SIRE) initiative, established by the Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB) under the Department of Science and Technology of the Government of India, serves as an exceptional opportunity for Indian researchers. This program aims to provide advanced research training in cutting-edge fields of Science and Technology, enabling participants to gain international exposure and expertise by visiting top-tier institutions around the world for durations ranging from two to six months.
Objective of the Scheme
The primary goals of the SIRE program include:
- Enhancing national capacity in key areas of Science and Technology through international research and development experience.
- Utilizing the skills and knowledge acquired by SIRE fellows to bolster or initiate national programs within their specific fields.
- Promoting research initiatives in priority sectors that remain underexplored in India.
Benefits of the Program
Participants selected for the SIRE program will receive several financial benefits, including:
- A monthly fellowship amount of USD 3,000.
- A one-time contingency/preparatory grant of ₹75,000 to cover expenses such as visa fees, airport transfers, and insurance.
- Overseas medical insurance coverage up to ₹20,000, applicable both in India and abroad.
- Economy class airfare from their Indian workplace to the host institution and back, using the shortest route.
Important Notes:
- The maximum duration of the international visit is capped at six months.
- For those in full-time positions, the respective institution’s rules regarding salary, leave, and other benefits will remain in effect, with no liabilities incurred by SERB.
Eligibility Requirements
To be eligible for this program, applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Must be an Indian national.
- Should possess a Ph.D. in Science or Engineering from a recognized Indian institution.
- Must hold a permanent position at any Indian research or academic institution.
- Individuals with MBBS/MD qualifications and veterinary doctors are also eligible to apply.
- Applicants with a Teachers Associateship for Research Excellence (TARE) award qualify as well.
- A letter of support from the overseas host institution must accompany the application.
- The age limit for applicants is capped at 40 years as of the application submission date. A relaxation of five years applies to candidates from SC/ST/OBC categories, physically challenged individuals, and women.
Application Procedure
Interested candidates can apply for the SIRE program through the following steps:
- Submit your application via the SERB online portal at www.serbonline.in when the call for proposals is announced.
- First, register on the online portal.
- Upon successful registration, a confirmation email will be sent. Please click the provided link in the email to verify your registration.
- Log in to your account and complete all mandatory fields in the Profile Detail section, which includes personal information, a photograph, and your institution’s address.
- Provide details regarding your qualifications, research experience, fellowships, employment history, patents, publications, projects, and research collaborations.
- Enter essential information about your proposed research work, including the title (maximum 500 characters), keywords (up to 6), expected output and outcomes (maximum 1500 characters), and tentative dates of visit.
- Upload your research plan as a single PDF document, not exceeding 10 MB.
Important Application Notes:
- Ensure to submit an endorsement letter signed by the head of your organization.
- A letter of approval for the research plan from the host institution is also required.
Selection Process
The selection of candidates will be conducted among those who have received approval for their research plans from overseas institutions. A selection committee will be formed to evaluate and choose the candidates. It is crucial for selected candidates to commence their international research within one month of receiving the offer letter; otherwise, the offer will be rescinded without further correspondence.
Official Source
For more details, please visit the official website at myScheme.gov.in.
Benefits
The selected fellows will be paid a monthly fellowship amount equivalent to US $ 3000.
One-time Contingency/Preparatory allowances of ₹75,000/- to cover visa fees, airport transfer charges, insurance, etc.,
Overseas Medical Insurance in India and abroad of ₹20,000/-.
The selected fellows will also be provided the shortest route economy class airfare from their place of work in India to the place of the host institute and back.
Note 01: The maximum duration of the abroad visit is limited to 06 months.
Note 02: For scientists/researchers in regular employment, rules governing payment of salary, leave, medical, gratuity, GPF pension, etc. of the organization/ institution/ university to which the fellow belongs would continue to be applicable as per their institutional norms. No liability on any of these will be borne by SERB.
Application Process
Apply Online
Application Procedure:
Step 01: The application for consideration can be submitted through the SERB online portal www.serbonline.in
only when the call for proposal is made.
Step 02: Applicant should first register on the online website. Click here to register
Step 03: After successful registration, the user will be sent a confirmation mail on the registered email ID. Users must click on the URL provided in the mail to confirm registration.
Step 04: After login, the applicant(s) are required to fill all the mandatory fields in the Profile Detail section under User Profile, which includes Bio-data, Photo, Institute Address, etc.
Step 05: Details like Qualification, Research Experience, Fellowships (if any), Employment, Patent (if any), Publications (if any), Projects (if any), and Research Collaborations (if any) have to be provided.
Step 06: Some of the details of your proposed work like Title (max 500 characters), Keywords (max 6), Expected output and outcome (max 1500 characters) and Tentative dates of visit, etc. have to be entered at the time of submission.
Step 07: The Research Plan has to be uploaded in a single PDF file not more than 10 MB.
Note 01: Applicant must submit the endorsement letter duly signed by the head of the organization/ institute where the applicant is employed.
Note 02: The candidate should also submit a letter of approval of the research plan from the host.
Selection:
The selection would be made among faculties who gained approval of the research plan from overseas institutions. The Board will constitute a selection committee to select the candidates.
Note: The candidates selected under this programme should commence their research in an overseas institution within one month from the date of the offer letter, and if not, the offer will be automatically withdrawn and no correspondence will be entertained thereafter.
Frequently Asked Questions
References & Official Links
Scheme Details
| Full Name | SERB International Research Experience |
| Short Title | SIRE |
| Level | Central |
| Scheme For | Individual |
| Ministry | Ministry Of Science And Technology |
| Categories | Education & Learning, Science, IT & Communications |
| States | All India |
| Gender | All |
| Caste/Category | SC, ST, OBC |
| Area | Both |
| Source | www.myscheme.gov.in ↗ |
Deepika Raikwar
Deepika Raikwar is an Education Analyst and scholarship researcher who focuses on public welfare and merit-based scholarships. She simplifies complex eligibility rules, deadlines, and application processes to help common people access reliable funding opportunities worldwide.
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