What is the purpose of SERB International Research Experience?

SERB International Research Experience is a government welfare initiative designed to support Individual, Individual through benefits related to Science, IT & Communications, financial assistance, subsidies, social welfare, healthcare, education, or livelihood support.

Who can apply for SERB International Research Experience?

Eligibility for SERB International Research Experience may depend on factors such as income category, age, gender, occupation, state of residence, social category, and government-defined beneficiary criteria.

What benefits are offered under SERB International Research Experience?

Benefits under SERB International Research Experience may include financial assistance, subsidies, scholarships, insurance support, healthcare benefits, pension support, training assistance, or welfare services depending on the scheme guidelines.

Which department manages SERB International Research Experience?

SERB International Research Experience is managed by Department Of Science & Technology and may be implemented through district offices, online portals, CSC centres, banks, or authorised government agencies.

Can users apply online for SERB International Research Experience?

Yes, eligible applicants may be able to apply online for SERB International Research Experience through official government portals, authorised service centres, or digital application systems depending on the implementation process.

Is Aadhaar mandatory for SERB International Research Experience?

Many government schemes may require Aadhaar verification, identity proof, or linked bank account details for beneficiary validation and direct benefit transfer processing.

Where can users apply for SERB International Research Experience?

Applications for SERB International Research Experience may be submitted through government departments, official scheme portals, CSC centres, district offices, welfare departments, or authorised service centres.

What documents may be required for SERB International Research Experience?

Applicants may need Aadhaar card, income certificate, residence proof, bank account details, caste certificate, photographs, educational records, or occupation-related documents depending on scheme eligibility requirements.

Is income certificate required for SERB International Research Experience?

Income certificate requirements may vary depending on beneficiary category, subsidy eligibility, and financial assistance criteria defined under SERB International Research Experience.

Is SERB International Research Experience a central government scheme?

Yes, SERB International Research Experience is a central government welfare initiative that may be implemented across multiple states through authorised departments and agencies.

Can students apply for SERB International Research Experience?

Eligible students studying in recognised institutions may apply for SERB International Research Experience depending on educational qualification, category, income limit, and academic eligibility.

Is scholarship amount provided under SERB International Research Experience?

SERB International Research Experience may provide scholarship assistance, tuition support, educational reimbursement, or financial aid for eligible students.

Can CSC centres help users apply for SERB International Research Experience?

Many government schemes may be accessible through nearby CSC centres, authorised digital service centres, or welfare facilitation offices.

How can users check the latest updates for SERB International Research Experience?

Users should verify official notifications, department announcements, application deadlines, and eligibility updates through authorised government portals or implementing agencies.

Can beneficiaries track application status for SERB International Research Experience?

Certain schemes may provide online application tracking, beneficiary verification systems, or status-check facilities through official portals.

Where can users get help for SERB International Research Experience in All India?

Users in All India may seek assistance through CSC centres, district welfare offices, government departments, agriculture offices, social welfare departments, or authorised facilitation centres.

Which nearby public services may help with SERB International Research Experience applications?

Depending on the scheme, users may require support from Aadhaar centres, CSC centres, banks, hospitals, post offices, or government welfare offices for document verification and application assistance.

SERB International Research Experience – eligibility, benefits & apply

Scheme profile

DBT (direct benefit transfer): No

Categories: Science, IT & Communications, Education & Learning

Sub-categories: Research & Development, Education and training grants, fellowship, stipend

Target beneficiaries: Individual

Tags: SERB, International Research, SIRE, Fellowship, Fellow

Details

The Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB), a statutory body under the Department of Science and Technology, Government of India has launched "SERB International Research Experience (SIRE)". This Program aims to impart high-end research training in frontier areas of Science and Technology, which are of interest to India by providing an opportunity to visit leading institutions/universities across the globe for a period of 02-06 months. The SERB under this program selects candidates in frontier areas of S & T and supports their visit to top institutions around the globe, preferably to the institutions where internationally acclaimed scientists are working.

Objectives:

To build national capacity in frontier areas of Science and Technology by providing opportunities for International R&D experience by SIRE fellows.
To tap the expertise gained by SIRE fellows to strengthen/initiate national programmes in their domain knowledge.
To encourage research activities in priority areas that are still less explored in the Indian context.

Benefits

1. The selected fellows will be paid a monthly fellowship amount equivalent to US $ 3000. 1. One-time Contingency/Preparatory allowances of ₹75 000/- to cover visa fees airport transfer charges insurance etc 1. Overseas Medical Insurance in India and abroad of ₹20 000/-. 1. 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

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.

Eligibility

The scheme is open to Indian nationals only.
Applicant should have a Ph.D. degree in the area of Science and Engineering from recognized institutions in India.
The applicant must hold a permanent position in any Indian research and academic institution.
Applicants having MBBS/MD degrees and Veterinary doctors are also eligible to apply.
Applicants having a Teachers Associateship for Research Excellence (TARE) award are also eligible to apply.
Applicant must submit a letter of support from the overseas host institution along with the application.
The age limit for applying under this scheme shall be 40 years (as of the date of submission of application). Age relaxation of 5 years will be given to applicants belonging to SC/ST/OBC/physically challenged and women categories.

How useful is this scheme?

Public benefit analysis

A practical look at this scheme for citizens

AI-generated insights showing how useful, accessible, and practical this scheme may be — combining deterministic scoring rules with a public-policy LLM analyst.

5.9

/ 10

Public Benefit Score

Accessibility 5.0/10 Moderate

Rural usefulness 3.0/10 Challenging

Application complexity 6.0/10 Moderate

Financial impact 8.0/10 Good

Literacy barrier 8.0/10 Challenging

Women inclusivity 6.0/10 Moderate

Awareness 7.5/10 Good

Implementation reliability 8.0/10 Good

Bigger shape means a better fit for citizens

Accessibility5.0
Financial impact8.0
Rural utility3.0
Awareness7.5
Simplicity4.0
Inclusivity6.0

What problem does this scheme solve?

The SERB International Research Experience (SIRE) provides valuable opportunities for Indian researchers to gain international exposure and training in science and technology.

Key challenges addressed

Lack of international research exposure for Indian researchers
Need for high-end training in frontier areas of science and technology

Most beneficial for

Researchers with a Ph.D. in Science and Engineering
Young scientists seeking international experience

Likely challenges

Strict eligibility criteria may exclude many potential applicants
Complex application process may deter first-time applicants

Practical insights for citizens

While the scheme offers significant benefits, the complexity and digital requirements may hinder access for many potential applicants.

Rural challenges

Limited access to high-quality internet
Lack of awareness about the scheme

Digital challenges

High digital dependency may exclude non-tech-savvy applicants

Implementation bottlenecks

Strict eligibility criteria may limit participation

Awareness challenges

Limited outreach in rural areas

Application analysis

Application mode: Online portal
Documents burden: Moderate, requires multiple documents including letters of support
Verification complexity: High, involves multiple levels of verification
Office dependency: Low, primarily online
DBT dependency: None
CSC support: Limited, primarily online
Estimated citizen effort: High, due to detailed application requirements

Estimated beneficiary reach

Rural / urban reach Low
Gender reach Moderate
Target income group Middle to high-income researchers
Occupation reach Academics and researchers

Benefit analysis

Benefit type: Composite
Benefit frequency: One-time
Benefit practicality: High, if eligibility criteria are met
Financial meaningfulness: Moderate, as the fellowship amount is substantial but limited to specific fields
Long-term impact: Potentially high, as it can enhance research capabilities in India

Plain-language guidance

The SIRE program offers Indian researchers a chance to gain international experience in science and technology. Eligible applicants can receive financial support for their research visits abroad.

Who should apply: Indian nationals with a Ph.D. in Science and Engineering or related fields.
Who may struggle: First-time applicants, especially those from rural areas or with limited digital skills.
Best application route: Apply directly through the SERB online portal.

This intelligence section is generated by an AI policy analyst combined with rule-based scoring. Scores and narrative are estimates derived from the publicly available scheme information shown on this page; actual experience may vary by state, district, and department. Always confirm details on the official portal before you apply.

Application Process

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.

Clarifications

Additional points from the scheme information published on myScheme (not legal advice).

What is the aim of this scheme?: This scheme aims to impart high-end research training in frontier areas of Science and Technology, which are of interest to India by providing an opportunity to visit leading institutions/universities across the globe for a period of 02-06 months.
What is the objective of the Scheme?: The following are the objectives of the scheme: To build national capacity in frontier areas of Science and Technology by providing opportunities for International R&D experience by SIRE fellows. To tap the expertise gained by SIRE fellows to strengthen/initiate national programmes in their domain knowledge. To encourage research activities in priority areas which are still less explored in Indian context.
Which is the implementing agency of this scheme?: Science and Engineering Research Board, Government of India
Can I avail SIRE fellowship multiple times?: No, any applicant is eligible to avail this fellowship only once in his / her career.
Can I apply for only one month visit?: No. The duration of the proposed visit must be within 02-6 months.
Can I use SIRE fellowship to visit other nearby institutions during my stay in the proposed country?: No, SIRE fellowship must be utilized only for the purpose for which it has been sanctioned.
Will flight cancellation / rescheduling charges or extra baggage charges be considered under SIRE fellowship?: No. SERB will not provide any type of cancellation / rescheduling charges or extra baggage charges.
I am 41 years old. Can I avail SIRE fellowship?: The maximum age limit to apply under SIRE programme is 40 years. However, SC/ST/OBC and Women candidates will be given age relaxation of 5 years, provided, the applicant has submitted the valid category proof.
What, if I have provided any incorrect/misleading information or breach of terms and conditions?: Fellowship will be cancelled and given support will be withdrawn at any stage. SERB has all the rights to take any action in consultation with the applicant's parent organization / university / institute etc. including refund of entire amount spent on the SIRE Fellow along with the interest thereon to SERB.
I have an ongoing SERB project under CRG/SRG. Am I eligible to apply under SIRE?: Yes.
I have availed ITS support of SERB this year / last year. Am I eligible to apply under SIRE?: Yes.
I have done my Ph.D. from abroad. Am I eligible to apply?: No. Only those candidates who have completed their Ph.D. from India are eligible to apply.
Are INSPIRE Faculty / Ramanujan Fellow eligible to apply under SIRE?: No.
Is tenure track faculty position qualify as permanent position and are they eligible to apply under SIRE?: Yes, however, the institution must endorse the tenure track faculty as permanent faculty.
How can I submit the application form under the scheme?: The application for consideration under the SERB International Research Experience (SIRE) Program can be submitted through the SERB online portal www.serbonline.in only when the call for proposal in made.

Official links

References

Guidelines: https://serb.gov.in/page/research_networking#SERB%20International%20Research%20Experience%20(SIRE)

Frequently asked questions

What is the purpose of SERB International Research Experience?: SERB International Research Experience is a government welfare initiative designed to support Individual, Individual through benefits related to Science, IT & Communications, financial assistance, subsidies, social welfare, healthcare, education, or livelihood support.
Who can apply for SERB International Research Experience?: Eligibility for SERB International Research Experience may depend on factors such as income category, age, gender, occupation, state of residence, social category, and government-defined beneficiary criteria.
What benefits are offered under SERB International Research Experience?: Benefits under SERB International Research Experience may include financial assistance, subsidies, scholarships, insurance support, healthcare benefits, pension support, training assistance, or welfare services depending on the scheme guidelines.
Which department manages SERB International Research Experience?: SERB International Research Experience is managed by Department Of Science & Technology and may be implemented through district offices, online portals, CSC centres, banks, or authorised government agencies.
Can users apply online for SERB International Research Experience?: Yes, eligible applicants may be able to apply online for SERB International Research Experience through official government portals, authorised service centres, or digital application systems depending on the implementation process.
Is Aadhaar mandatory for SERB International Research Experience?: Many government schemes may require Aadhaar verification, identity proof, or linked bank account details for beneficiary validation and direct benefit transfer processing.
Where can users apply for SERB International Research Experience?: Applications for SERB International Research Experience may be submitted through government departments, official scheme portals, CSC centres, district offices, welfare departments, or authorised service centres.
What documents may be required for SERB International Research Experience?: Applicants may need Aadhaar card, income certificate, residence proof, bank account details, caste certificate, photographs, educational records, or occupation-related documents depending on scheme eligibility requirements.
Is income certificate required for SERB International Research Experience?: Income certificate requirements may vary depending on beneficiary category, subsidy eligibility, and financial assistance criteria defined under SERB International Research Experience.
Is SERB International Research Experience a central government scheme?: Yes, SERB International Research Experience is a central government welfare initiative that may be implemented across multiple states through authorised departments and agencies.
Can students apply for SERB International Research Experience?: Eligible students studying in recognised institutions may apply for SERB International Research Experience depending on educational qualification, category, income limit, and academic eligibility.
Is scholarship amount provided under SERB International Research Experience?: SERB International Research Experience may provide scholarship assistance, tuition support, educational reimbursement, or financial aid for eligible students.
Can CSC centres help users apply for SERB International Research Experience?: Many government schemes may be accessible through nearby CSC centres, authorised digital service centres, or welfare facilitation offices.
How can users check the latest updates for SERB International Research Experience?: Users should verify official notifications, department announcements, application deadlines, and eligibility updates through authorised government portals or implementing agencies.
Can beneficiaries track application status for SERB International Research Experience?: Certain schemes may provide online application tracking, beneficiary verification systems, or status-check facilities through official portals.
Where can users get help for SERB International Research Experience in All India?: Users in All India may seek assistance through CSC centres, district welfare offices, government departments, agriculture offices, social welfare departments, or authorised facilitation centres.
Which nearby public services may help with SERB International Research Experience applications?: Depending on the scheme, users may require support from Aadhaar centres, CSC centres, banks, hospitals, post offices, or government welfare offices for document verification and application assistance.