Back-To-Lab Post-Doctoral Fellowship Programme

Key facts

Benefit	₹45,000 monthly
Who	Unemployed women scientists
How paid	Direct bank transfer
Implemented by	Kerala State Council of Science, Technology and Environment
Official portal	www.submit.kscste.kerala.gov.in
Application window	Open all year for eligible applicants.

Benefits

Beneficiaries receive a monthly fellowship of ₹45,000, which includes HRA, along with an annual contingency grant of ₹75,000. The fellowship duration is up to two years.

Who can apply

Age up to 40
Women / girls only
For: scientist
Resident of Kerala
unemployed
not income tax payer
no government employee in family
poor household

This scheme is open to unemployed women who are permanent residents of Kerala and hold a PhD in Science or Engineering. Applicants must be under 40 years of age and should not be receiving any financial assistance from other sources. Additionally, they should not have any government employees in their family and must have a career break due to family commitments.

Who is not eligible

Income-tax payers
Government employees
Existing beneficiaries of KSCSTE fellowship

How to apply

Eligible candidates can apply online through the KSCSTE web portal.

Visit www.submit.kscste.kerala.gov.in to access the application portal.
Complete the online application form with required details.
Upload necessary documents as specified in the guidelines.
Submit the application for preliminary scrutiny.
Await peer review results and potential invitation for presentation before the Research Advisory Committee.
Receive notification regarding the funding decision and execute the agreement if selected.

Apply on the official website ↗

Documents required

Identity proof of applicant
Photo of applicant
Proof of Date of Birth
Proof on permanent residency in Kerala
Marks sheet and Certificate of PG
Certificate of Ph.D.
Work & Research Experience certificate
Reprints of latest Research Publications in SCI indexed journal
Certificate on Break in Career
Biodata of Applicant
Biodata of Scientist Mentor
Declaration by the Applicant
Consent from Scientist Mentor
Endorsement from the Head of Host Institution

Common problems and how to fix them

Problem	What to do
Application rejected	Ensure all eligibility criteria are met and all required documents are submitted.
Payment not received	Check with the implementing institute to confirm that financial utilization certificates have been submitted.

Frequently asked questions

What documents are required for the application?

Applicants need to provide identity proof, a photo, proof of date of birth, residency in Kerala, educational certificates, research publications, and several other specific documents as listed in the guidelines.

Is there an age limit for applicants?

Yes, the maximum age limit is 40 years, with relaxations of 3 years for OBC and 5 years for SC/ST candidates.

Can I apply if I have received another fellowship before?

No, individuals who have previously availed of a Post-Doctoral Fellowship from KSCSTE or any other source are not eligible to apply.

What if I have a break in my career due to reasons other than family commitments?

The scheme specifically targets women who have taken a career break due to family commitments or related matters, so other reasons may not qualify.

How long does the fellowship last?

The fellowship is available for a maximum duration of two years.

Can I collaborate with foreign entities during the fellowship?

No, collaboration with foreign parties requires prior approval from the Council.

Always confirm the latest details on the official portal before applying.