TARE
Teachers Associateship for Research Excellence
6.9/10Teachers Associateship for Research Excellence (TARE) is a significant initiative by the Science & Engineering Research Board under the Ministry of Science and Technology, designed to enhance the mobility of faculty members from State Universities, Colleges, and Private Academic Institutions across India. This scheme provides eligible Indian citizens who hold a Ph.D. in Science/Engineering or an MS/MD in Medicine with a research fellowship of ₹60,000 per year, in addition to their existing salary, contingent upon completing a minimum of 90 days of research work at a designated host institution. Furthermore, participants can access a research grant of ₹5 lakhs annually, which is allocated equally between the host and parent institutions. To qualify, applicants must be under 45 years of age, hold a regular academic position, and not be engaged in any ongoing research projects or fellowships at the time of application. The program aims to foster collaboration and innovation in research by allowing faculty members to work with mentors at higher academic levels, thereby contributing to the advancement of science and technology in India.
States / UT: All India
Ministry / nodal: Ministry Of Science And Technology
Nodal department: Department Of Science & Technology
Scheme for: Individual
Scheme profile
DBT (direct benefit transfer): No
Categories: Science, IT & Communications
Sub-categories: Research & Development
Target beneficiaries: Individual
Tags: TARE, Teacher, Research, Faculty, Fellowship, SERB
Details
The scheme “Teachers Associateship for Research Excellence (TARE)” was launched by the Science and Engineering Research Board, Department of Science & Technology, Government of India which aims to facilitate the mobility of faculty members working in a regular capacity in State Universities / Colleges and in private Academic Institutions to carry out research work in an established public-funded central institution such as IITs, IISc, IISERS, National Institutions (NITs, CSIR, ICAR, ICMR labs and other central institutions) and Central Universities, located preferably nearer to the institution where the faculty member is working. Research work will be carried out in such a manner to ensure that the PI continues to work in the host institute as well as his / her parent institute on mutually agreed terms between the PI and Mentor.
Areas Covered under the scheme:
The scheme covers areas under Life Sciences, Physical Sciences, Chemical Sciences, Engineering Sciences, Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, and Mathematical Sciences, including interdisciplinary areas.
Duration of Support:
The duration of support is three years.
Benefits
- 1. Research fellowship of ₹60,000/- per year (in addition to the researcher’s own salary) will be provided subject to completion of a minimum of 90 days of research work per year in the host institution. 1. Research grant of ₹5 lakhs per annum (50% each to host and parent institution) and overheads (as per SERB norms) will be provided
- Research fellowship of ₹60,000/- per year (in addition to the researcher’s own salary) will be provided subject to completion of a minimum of 90 days of research work per year in the host institution.
- Research grant of ₹5 lakhs per annum (50% each to host and parent institution) and overheads (as per SERB norms) will be provided.
Eligibility
- Indian citizens residing in India holding a Ph.D. degree in Science/Engineering or MS/MD in Medicine are eligible to apply.
- The applicant(s) must hold a regular academic/research position in State Universities/ Colleges and private Academic Institutions.
- Applicant should not hold any ongoing research projects or any fellowship at the time of submission of application.
- The upper age limit for the award is 45 years at the time of the submission of the application. Age relaxation of 5 (five) years will be given to candidates belonging to SC/ST/OBC/Physically Challenged & Women candidates.
- Mentor should be at the level of Associate Professor/Scientist E, or higher level.
- Only one candidate will be allowed to work with a mentor at any given point of time.
How useful is this scheme?
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.
- Accessibility6.0
- Financial impact9.5
- Rural utility4.0
- Awareness7.5
- Simplicity6.0
- Inclusivity7.0
What problem does this scheme solve?
The TARE scheme aims to enhance research capabilities among faculty members in India, promoting academic mobility and collaboration.
Key challenges addressed
- Facilitates research opportunities for faculty members
- Encourages collaboration between institutions
Most beneficial for
- Faculty members in State Universities and Private Academic Institutions
- Researchers in Science and Engineering fields
Likely challenges
- Eligibility restrictions based on age and current projects
- Complex application process may deter some applicants
Practical insights for citizens
Practical for eligible candidates but may be challenging for those in rural areas
Rural challenges
- Limited access to high-quality research facilities
- Potential lack of awareness among rural faculty
Digital challenges
- High digital dependency may exclude less tech-savvy applicants
Implementation bottlenecks
- Eligibility criteria may exclude capable candidates
Awareness challenges
- Limited outreach to potential beneficiaries
Application analysis
- Application mode
- Online portal
- Documents burden
- Moderate, requires specific academic documentation
- Verification complexity
- Moderate, involves peer review
- Office dependency
- Low, primarily online
- DBT dependency
- No direct DBT dependency
- CSC support
- Limited, primarily online application
- Estimated citizen effort
- High, requires detailed proposal and documentation
Estimated beneficiary reach
Benefit analysis
- Benefit type
- Research fellowship and grant
- Benefit frequency
- Annual
- Benefit practicality
- High, provides significant financial support for research
- Financial meaningfulness
- Very meaningful for eligible researchers
- Long-term impact
- Potentially significant, fostering innovation and collaboration in research
Plain-language guidance
The TARE scheme supports faculty members in research by providing fellowships and grants. Eligible applicants can enhance their research capabilities through collaboration with established institutions.
- Who should apply
- Faculty members with a Ph.D. or MS/MD in Medicine under 45 years of age.
- Who may struggle
- Those without digital access or who are not familiar with online applications.
- Best application route
- Apply directly through the online portal at www.serb.gov.in.
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
Step 01: The call for proposals will be notified through the website www.serbonline.in and www.serb.gov.in
Step 02: Applicant(s) should first register on the online website. Click here to register
Step 03: 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, and Institute Address, etc.
Step 04: Summary of the project proposal; Project Title (max 500 characters), Abstract of the proposed work (max 3000 characters), Keywords (max 6), Objectives of the project (max 1500 characters), Expected output and outcome of the proposal (max 1500 characters), have to be entered at the time of proposal submission.
Step 05: Other relevant information of the proposal must be uploaded in a single PDF file not more than 10 MB as other technical documents (OTD).
Note: The proposals will be evaluated through peer review processes as per SERB guidelines.
Clarifications
Additional points from the scheme information published on myScheme (not legal advice).
- I am having a DST funded Project as a Co-PI, can I apply for TARE scheme?
Researchers being part of another project as Co-PIs, can apply.
- In case of selection, is it mandatory to divide the funding and share 50% each to host and parent institutions? Can it be given to only host institution?
Yes. A research fellowship of ₹60,000/- per year (in addition to the researcher's own salary) will be provided subject to completion of a minimum 90 days of research work per year in the host institution. Research grant of ₹5 lakhs per annum (50% each to host and parent institution) and overheads will be provided.
- What kind of management responsibilities does the parent institution get?
Parent institute must undertake all project implementation related work including purchase, preparation of UC/ES, relieving PI for research work in the host institute, etc. as of any other funded projects.
- Clarification on the term "Research work", whether it refers to fresh research work only or ongoing research work without any external grant or fund?
Fresh and ongoing research work not supported by any externally funded individual centric projects.
- Can I choose Panjab University as Host institution for TARE because Panjab University is not a central university nor state university?
Only central institutes / national research labs and Central Universities are eligible as host institute.
- I want to understand the meaning of clause "The applicant(s) must hold a regular academic / research position in State Universities/ Colleges and private Academic Institution"?
The term "Regular" in the context of SERB refers to the applicants who are appointed against the sanctioned post or in a tenure post but are likely to be renewed after the end of the tenure. [Note: Research Associates, Ad-hoc faculties, Guest Faculty, Visiting Scientist, consultant, Project Fellows and Faculty members whose contract is renewed every year are not eligible] (In cases where it is not covered in any of the above, SERB has the right to determine the eligibility)
- Working day: 90 days attendance should include host institute working days attendance only or 90 days working in host institute during institutes working days, summer vacation, winter vacation, public holidays, Saturdays and Sundays?
90 days working in host institute includes, working days, summer vacation, winter vacation, public holidays, Saturdays and Sundays, provided host institute allows to work and issue attendance certificate by the end of the year.
- Is there any limit on how old institute is affiliated for Eg.10 year, 20 year or so?
Age of the institute will not be considered, as long as it is affiliated by UGC / AICTE / MCI or other competent organizations of Government of India / State Governments.
- What is the maximum distance between parent and host institute?
Distance is not fixed, you need to justify the reasons for selection of institute whatso ever the distance, which will be evaluated by the committee. PI are advised to find the expertise/mentor nearer to their parent institute. Preference may be given to the candidates proposing host institute nearer to parent institute.
- How many candidates can a mentor can guide?
A mentor can forward any number of applications, but only one candidate will be allowed to work with a mentor depending up on the merit of the proposal.
- How many applications can an institute forward?
There are no fixed numbers.
- Is the mentor and applicant subject areas should match exactly?
The basic concept of this project itself is to execute the project in collaborative mode where the expertise of the mentor should be useful in executing the project work of the applicant. Accordingly, the expertise of mentor and applicant should fulfil the requirements of the proposed project work.
- Can I get age relaxation, over and above the relaxation given in the program for filing the application?
The upper age limit for the award is 45 years at the time of the submission of application. Age relaxation of 5 (five) years will be given to candidates belonging to SC/ST/OBC/Physically Challenged & Women candidates.
- Is 90 days attendance compulsory requirement to get the fellowship money sanctioned? Can project be granted without the fellowship component?
The basic concept of this project itself is to execute the project in collaborative mode where the applicant should work with the mentor and get trained at higher level. For which the minimum attendance period of 90 days is mandatory and hence the proposals without fellowship component will not be considered.
- If the applicant goes to the host institution less than 90 days/year and does not get the scholarship money of ₹60,000/year whether he/she will be eligible to get the project money?
It is mandatory to full fill the minimum 90 days research work per year in the host institution.
- I have completed my M.Tech. and continuing my Ph.D. Can I apply for TARE project?
No as per revised eligibility guidelines, only candidates holding Ph.D. degree in Science / Engineering or MS / MD in Medicine are eligible to apply.
- Can my Ph.D. supervisor be a mentor for TARE project?
No, however candidates are allowed to work with a different mentor from the same institute where a Ph.D. degree was awarded.
- Is only researcher having ongoing project with DST / SERB not eligible for apply or any ongoing projects?
Researchers having any funded projects are not eligible to apply.
- Can I apply from any other Central institutes other than mentioned in the TARE scheme? Eg.Centre for Materials for Electronics Technology (C-MET), Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology?
You can apply for any Central institutions having relevant R&D infrastructure.
- Whether applications from the regions where very limited Central institutes are available will be given with privilege or not?
Selection for TARE scheme will be purely competitive mode based on the scientific merit of the proposal.
- Any clauses that bound for publication of research work findings in conferences / journals?
No, but PI are expected to bring out joint publications with the mentor from the results emanated out of this project and is mandatory to acknowledge SERB funding for the research work.
- Can I use the money to hire a project fellow? Can the fellow be paid 50/50 by both institutions?
No, the TARE awardee is expected to do research on his / her own.
- If I succeed in getting the TARE grant, can I apply for, say, an extramural grant later?
Applicant should not hold any ongoing research projects or any fellowship at the time of submission of application. You are not eligible to avail of any other project from DST/SERB until you complete the TARE project.
Official links
References
- Scheme Details
- https://www.serbonline.in/SERB/Tare
- Official Website
- https://serb.gov.in/page/english/awards_fellowship#Teachers%20Associateship%20for%20Research%20Excellence%20(TARE)
Apply
Apply nowOpens the official application or programme portal in a new tab. If in doubt, confirm details on the ministry site.
Frequently asked questions
- What is the purpose of Teachers Associateship for Research Excellence?
- Teachers Associateship for Research Excellence 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 Teachers Associateship for Research Excellence?
- Eligibility for Teachers Associateship for Research Excellence 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 Teachers Associateship for Research Excellence?
- Benefits under Teachers Associateship for Research Excellence 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 Teachers Associateship for Research Excellence?
- Teachers Associateship for Research Excellence 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 Teachers Associateship for Research Excellence?
- Yes, eligible applicants may be able to apply online for Teachers Associateship for Research Excellence through official government portals, authorised service centres, or digital application systems depending on the implementation process.
- Is Aadhaar mandatory for Teachers Associateship for Research Excellence?
- 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 Teachers Associateship for Research Excellence?
- Applications for Teachers Associateship for Research Excellence 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 Teachers Associateship for Research Excellence?
- 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 Teachers Associateship for Research Excellence?
- Income certificate requirements may vary depending on beneficiary category, subsidy eligibility, and financial assistance criteria defined under Teachers Associateship for Research Excellence.
- Is Teachers Associateship for Research Excellence a central government scheme?
- Yes, Teachers Associateship for Research Excellence is a central government welfare initiative that may be implemented across multiple states through authorised departments and agencies.
- Can students apply for Teachers Associateship for Research Excellence?
- Eligible students studying in recognised institutions may apply for Teachers Associateship for Research Excellence depending on educational qualification, category, income limit, and academic eligibility.
- Is scholarship amount provided under Teachers Associateship for Research Excellence?
- Teachers Associateship for Research Excellence may provide scholarship assistance, tuition support, educational reimbursement, or financial aid for eligible students.
- Can CSC centres help users apply for Teachers Associateship for Research Excellence?
- 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 Teachers Associateship for Research Excellence?
- 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 Teachers Associateship for Research Excellence?
- Certain schemes may provide online application tracking, beneficiary verification systems, or status-check facilities through official portals.
- Where can users get help for Teachers Associateship for Research Excellence 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 Teachers Associateship for Research Excellence 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.