Home ❯ CV Blog ❯ Who is Eligible for an Inspire Fellowship? Eligibility Criteria & Benefits

Who is Eligible for an Inspire Fellowship? Eligibility Criteria & Benefits

Komal Jain Aug 19, 2025 1K Reads

Fellowships are among the highest rewards for recognition, financial assistance, and research that they can give to scholars, researchers, and professionals. Thinking of getting a PhD, conducting postdoctoral research, or advancing to the next level in your academic life for your professional life? Knowing what the eligibility criteria are for fellowships is significant.

Inspire Fellowship is offered to students who are pursuing a PhD in the field of science or technology. This fellowship is given to students who are between the ages of 22 to 27 and also score above 70% marks in M.Sc.

However, you can also opt for an online DBA(Doctorate of Business Administration) if you want to boost your career and get a higher position in the corporate world. This course is offered by foreign universities but it will be valid in India. To complete this course you do not need to move to the foreign country as the university offers online classes. In this blog post, you will have accurate information about fellowship eligibility, such as academic requirements and terms of their application, so that you can easily apply for a fellowship that is appropriate for you.

What is a Fellowship?

A fellowship is a merit-based monetary award that is given to individuals for education, research, or professional development. In an academic sense, for most purposes, a fellowship gives PhD or post-doctoral researchers an award to help enhance education or cover tuition, offer them a stipend, and provide funding for research work too.

What is an Inspire Fellowship?

The Inspire Fellowship(Innovation in Science Pursuit for Inspired Research) is for students who want to pursue a doctoral degree in the applied sciences, such as engineering, medicine, agriculture, and veterinary sciences, after completing their master's. The motive behind this fellowship is to help students who want to build a strong career in the science or technology field.

Before applying for this fellowship, you must know what is Inspire Scholarship Eligibility so that it will become easy to understand how this works.

Eligibility Criteria for an Inspire Scholarship/Fellowship

The eligibility criteria for the Inspire Fellowship is mentioned below:

Applicant must have completed their master's in M.Sc. with more than 70 percent marks. Moreover, you must be the topper of the class.
There is a age restriction in the fellowship; you can only apply to this fellowship if you are under the age of 27 and should be above the age of 22.
The students who are pursuing a PhD in the field, including S&T, Medicine, Agriculture, Pharmacy, and Veterinary Sciences, will get the Inspire Fellowship.

Note: Fellowship is only offered to 1000 bright students per year only.

However, if you do not fall under the age category of 22 to 27 or have not receive maximum 70 percent marks then do not need to worry. As you can pursue for an online DBA program and it is equivalent to PhD. After completion of this course, you will get the Dr. title.

What Amount Will a Candidate Get in the Inspire Fellowship?

The candidate will get 1,25,000 INR per month along with the annual increment of 2,000 INR. They will also get 7,00,000 INR for a Research Grant for 5 5-year period.

Documents Required to Prove Eligibility

When applying for a fellowship, you generally require:

Degree certificates and mark sheets
Proof of admission (for admitted students)
Valid ID and age proof
Caste/category certificate (if required)
Research proposal or project summary
Letters of recommendation
Statement of purpose (SOP)

Keep In Mind

A fellowship for a PhD is more than a financial grant; it is an endorsement of your academic competence and a launching pad for your academic research career. Getting a fellowship can be a game-changer, whether you're aiming for a PhD in India or abroad, offering not just relief from income considerations but also opportunities for you to grow as an academic scholar.

Tips That Need to Follow For an Inspire Scholarship

Check Specific Fellowship Guidelines: Every fellowship has specific eligibility criteria; always read the official call for application carefully.
Maintain a Strong Academic Profile: Fellowships are competitive; good marks and academic consistency count.
Build Research Experience: Internships, dissertations, conference papers, and publications contribute to your profile.
Prepare for Competitive Exams: Most fellowships mandate NET, GATE, or foreign standardized tests like GRE, IELTS.
Craft a Winning SOP and Proposal: Clearly explain your research goals, background, and the impact of your work.
Track Deadlines and Age Limits: Don’t miss out on opportunities because of timing or ineligibility due to age.

Unlocking Leadership Potential: A Comprehensive Guide to Online DBA Programs

In today's rapidly changing business world, where business, innovation, leadership, and integrity will pave the way for success, the Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) is quickly gaining traction. Once an academically elitist challenge and program area, the DBA has evolved largely through social media and technology to become a valid, practical, and easily accessible online program for experienced business professionals wishing to lead at the executive level.

What is an Online DBA?

An Online Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) is a professional doctorate that combines higher-level academic theory with real-world business application. It is suitable for senior managers, entrepreneurs, consultants, and business educators wishing to advance their careers by finding solutions to real-world problems through research.

Why an Online DBA?

When it comes to a career, everybody wants to earn a higher salary package and also wants to grab a higher position, like CEO or CXO but sometimes it is quite difficult to leave a job and focus on the studies. As an individual might need financial stability and for them an online DBA is the most suitable program. The candidate can do this course through an online medium, and it will be valid in India and other countries as well.

Convenience: Online DBA enable students to learn from any location, at their convenience. This suits working professionals who may not be able to make it to campus classes.
Global Networking: Students from diverse industries and geographies engage in virtual forums, enriching their professional networks and perspectives.
Practical Relevance: Studies are usually focused on actual business issues confronting the students' organization or industry.
Career Impact: Alumni have the credibility and competencies to seek top-tier consulting, executive leadership, academic, or policy-making positions.

How to Select the Right Online DBA?

While selecting an online DBA there might be different questions might arise in the mind of an individual, like whether it is valid or not, and more. So to make it more easy for you, we have mentioned some tips that will help you in selecting the right online DBA.

Accreditation: Check if the program is accredited by credible organizations (AACSB, EQUIS, AMBA).
Faculty Expertise: Seek experienced mentors with academia and industry orientation.
Flexibility: Consider the structure, deadlines, and accessibility of asynchronous learning.
Alumni Network & Reputation: Look into the ranking of the institution as well as the graduate outcomes.
Research Opportunities: Look for whether the program accommodates your area of study and promotes publication.

Is an Online DBA Worth It?

Your objective is to drive change, shape strategy, and build your professional brand. In contrast to shorter executive programs, a DBA offers the ultimate level of business education with long-term implications for career direction and industry leadership.

Here is the list of the Universities that are offering this course are mentioned below for reference:

University	Program	Fees (INR)
Birchwood Online University Online DBA Program	DBA Online	₹6,00,000
Golden Gate University Online DBA Program	DBA Online	₹8,14,000
Rushford Business School Online DBA Program	DBA Online	₹8,12,500
ESGCI International School of Management Paris Online DBA Program	DBA Online	₹8,14,000
EIMT Online DBA Program	DBA Online	₹5,50,000
Swiss School of Business Management Online DBA Program	DBA Online	₹7,50,000
Edgewood College Online DBA Program	DBA Online	₹7,00,000

Note: The fees might vary.

Final Thoughts

The online DBA is more than a degree of strategic evolution. As an experienced executive, pioneering entrepreneur, or academic innovator, the DBA gives you the power to innovate with confidence and lead with knowledge.

FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

Yes, there are a number of fellowships that are offered to final-year students if they complete their degree before the initiation of the fellowship.

Not necessarily. Entry-level fellowships like UGC JRF do not require experience, though postdoctoral or professional-level fellowships normally require experience.

There are a few fellowships offered outside India, but some are restricted to nationals of specific nations.

Some require prior admission; others, like Fulbright or PMRF, offer admission as well as a fellowship.

Yes, but you usually gain only one at a time.

Most of the universities have assistantships or project work. You can even finance yourself or apply again next year.

Most government fellowships in India are tax-exempt, but read the terms independently.

Not really, but it makes your procedure a lot more convenient.

By Komal Jain

5 Years of Experience / Storyteller / Research-driven Writer

Passionate about digital marketing with a creative flair for content creation.Experienced Always eager to learn, grow, and make a meaningful impact in the digital space.