According to recent data, the cost of B.Tech courses can range from Rs.3 Lakhs – Rs. 19 Lakhs in private institutions, while government colleges can charge between Rs. 4-10 Lakhs. Cost structures are more or less similar for other science degrees as well. Therefore, pursuing a higher education degree in science can be financially challenging for students with limited resources. However, this does not mean you have to compromise your educational and career aspirations. There are various scholarships available – both at the undergraduate and post-graduate levels- to deserving science students to help reduce this expense burden. This article outlines eight such scholarships.
Eight scholarships for aspiring science students
Here’s a list of eight scholarships available to Indian science students:
- INSPIRE Scholarship for Higher Education (SHE)
The INSPIRE (Innovation in Science Pursuit for Inspired Research) scholarship is an innovative scheme managed and supervised by the Department of Science and Technology, Government of India. This scholarship scheme aims to inspire students to pursue a career in science and research and is available to meritorious students studying basic and natural sciences at the UG level. Under the INSPIRE scheme, a total of 12,000 scholarships are awarded annually, with a scholarship amount of Rs. 60,000/year. Mentorship support is also provided to students.
Eligibility:
- Students who have secured ranks in the top 1% in the 12th grade exams.
- Students who have secured top 10,000 ranks in JEE-Advance/NEET.
- Students enrolled in prestigious institutions like IISER, NISER, Department of Atomic Energy Centre for Basic Sciences, and others.
- Narotam Sekhsaria Scholarship
The Narotam Sekhsaria Foundation offers scholarships to Indian students pursuing postgraduate degrees. Science students pursuing higher education in top Indian universities like IISER or IIT can apply for this scholarship. Indian students studying at top universities abroad in countries like the UK, Australia, and the USA can also apply. This merit-based, interest-free loan scholarship offers total financial support worth Rs. 20,00,000 to qualifying students.
Eligibility:
- Indian students under the age of 30 years (as of 31st January in the year of application).
- Graduates and final year students of recognised Indian universities.
- Students with admission proof of a prestigious university for postgraduate studies.
- J N Tata Endowment Scholarship
The J.N. Tata Endowment loan scholarship is awarded to Indian students for higher education abroad. This scholarship is applicable for only post-graduate courses, including masters degrees, P.hD., and post doctoral studies at recognised institutions in the USA, Singapore, Australia, and other countries. The total scholarship amount can vary from Rs. 1 Lakh to Rs. 10 Lakhs based on your application, merit, and interview.
Eligibility:
- Indian national of not more than 45 years of age with a graduate degree from a recognised Indian university.
- Students who are already pursuing post-graduate degrees abroad.
- Candidates in the final year of their degree can also apply.
- Merit-Cum-Means Scholarship Scheme
The Merit-cum-Means Scholarship scheme offers financial assistance to meritorious students hailing from minority communities (as defined in Section 2c of the National Commission for Minorities Act). Under this scheme, a total of 60,000 scholarships are awarded annually to students enrolled in undergraduate and post-graduate professional and technical courses at recognised Indian institutions. 30% of these scholarships are earmarked for female students.
Eligibility:
- Students must secure at least 50% aggregate marks in the previous final examinations.
- The annual income of the student’s family does not exceed Rs. 2.5 Lakhs.
- Available to students enrolled in courses like B.Tech in Computer Science and Engineering/Mathematics/Biomedical Engineering/Applied Chemistry and other disciplines.
- Pragati Scholarship for Girl Students for Technical Education
The Pragati scholarship aims to foster and encourage technical education among women. The scholarship is awarded by the All India Council of Technical Education (AICTE) to female students in the first year of their degree. A total of 5,000 scholarships are awarded annually to meritorious female students every year. Winners of the scholarship are entitled to Rs. 50,000 as the annual scholarship amount.
Eligibility:
- The student must be admitted to the 1st or 2nd year of a technical diploma/degree programme of an AICTE-approved college or university.
- The annual family income of the applicant should not be more than Rs. 8 Lakhs.
- S.N. Bose Scholars Programme
The Satyendra Nath Bose Scholars programme aims to offer Indian science students opportunities to experience innovative research facilities in top US institutions. This scholarship was developed to encourage students to take up research as a career and promote long-term R&D collaborations across borders. As such, the scholarship includes a stipend, health insurance, and airfare.
Eligibility:
- Indian students pursuing a Bachelors/Master’s degree at a recognised institution in India can apply.
- The scholarship is open to students of chemical sciences, engineering sciences, mathematics and computer sciences, physical sciences, and atmospheric and earth sciences.
- Inlaks Shivdasani Foundation Scholarships
This scholarship is offered to undergraduate students to develop their scientific passions abroad at recognised universities in the UK, USA, and Europe. Applicants can receive a scholarship of up to $100,000 (approx. Rs. 87 Lakhs), depending on the course. This scholarship amount covers their tuition fees, living expenses, one-way travel allowance, and health insurance costs.
Eligibility:
- The applicant must be an Indian resident born on or after 31st January 1995.
- The applicant should hold a valid UG degree from a recognised Indian university.
- Applicants from the field of maths and sciences must have a minimum CGPA of 7.2/10.
- TIGER Excellence Scholarships
The TIGER Excellence Scholarships are awarded by the Aix-Marseille University for master’s level studies. Indian students engaged in environmental and space sciences, energy sciences, life and health sciences, and advanced sciences and technologies can apply for this scholarship. The scholarship offers a total grant of €10,000 per year and can be renewed for up to 2 years.
Eligibility:
- Available to Indian students pursuing PG courses in the covered science fields.
Conclusion
Most science students tend to opt for education loans from banks and NBFCs through their online marketplace websites to pursue higher education. However, there are various scholarships available to science students to make bearing educational costs easier. Most scholarship programmes are based on merit, making them accessible to all students with stellar academic records. The scholarship programmes outlined in this article aim to help science students pursue their dream career by getting the best quality education at Indian or overseas universities.
