Full formGovernment & Exams
FWSstands forFellowship for Women Scientists
Full Form of FWS
What is FWS?
The Fellowship for Women Scientists (FWS) is a flagship scheme initiated by the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India, to address the career break faced by women scientists due to family responsibilities. It provides a fixed-term fellowship to women with a PhD in science or engineering who have taken a break of at least two years from active research. The fellowship allows them to take up a project at a recognized institution in India, thereby helping them restart their research career. FWS is operated under the Women in Science (WISE) programme of DST's KIRAN Division. It is widely used across universities, national laboratories, and research institutes. Eligible candidates receive a monthly stipend, research grant, and contingency funds for up to three years. The scheme has been instrumental in increasing the participation of women in Indian R&D. For competitive exams like CSIR-UGC NET or GATE, knowledge of FWS is relevant under science policy and women empowerment topics. The application cycle opens annually, and selection is based on the applicant's academic record and proposed research plan.
FWS का फुल फॉर्म
महिला वैज्ञानिकों के लिए फेलोशिप
Example
After a five-year career gap, Dr. Meena successfully secured the FWS to continue her work on plant genomics at IIT Delhi.
FWS — frequently asked questions
What is the full form of FWS?
The full form of FWS is Fellowship for Women Scientists, a scheme by the Department of Science and Technology (DST), India.
Who is eligible for the FWS scheme?
Women with a PhD in science or engineering, who have taken a career break of at least two years, are eligible. The break must be due to family reasons like marriage, childcare, or care of elders.
How long is the FWS fellowship valid?
The FWS fellowship is typically awarded for a period of three years, with the possibility of extension based on performance and project requirements.