The Department of Science and Technology, Government of India has a large and active research programmes with a strong commitment to applied research, to innovation and to the training of skilled researchers in enabling technologies. The Department of Science and Technology provides support for research projects to various universities/national laboratories and public and private sector industries.

Different schemes of the Department of Science and Technology to provide funds for research are:

1. Science & Engineering Research Council (SERC)
2. Intensification of Research in High Priority Areas (IRPHA)
3. Programs related to Young Scientist and HR Development
   • SwaranaJayanti Fellowships
   • Fast Track Scheme For Young Scientists (FAST)
   • Better Opportunities for Young Scientists in Chosen Areas of Science and Technology (BOYSCAST)
4. Utilization of the Scientific Expertise of Retired Scientists (USERS)
5. Fund for Improvement of S&T Infrastructure in Universities and other Higher Educational Institutions (FIST)
6. Women Scientists Scheme (WOS-A)
   
   

1. Science & Engineering Research Council (SERC)
   The objective of SERC is to promote research in newly emerging and frontier areas of science and engineering including multidisciplinary fields. Young scientists are encouraged to take up challenging R&D activities. SERC funding provides sophisticated equipment, instruments and facilities to academic institutions as part of R&D activities/programmes. Training to brilliant young scientists through fellowships, workshops, summer/ winter schools in few selected areas and students fellowships. (Format)
   
   

   For more details/ formats and guidelines on the SERC visit the
   website: http://www.serc-dst.org

2. Intensification of Research in High Priority Areas (IRPHA)
   This scheme is to ensure intensification of scientific research in selected areas of great relevance and potential for scientific and technological development of the country. (Format)
   For more information on IRPHA visit the website: http://www.serc-dst.org/IRHPA.htm
   
   
3. Programs related to Young Scientist and HR Development
   
   

1. SwaranaJayanti Fellowships
   Young scientists are selected under this scheme.  They are provided special assistance and support to enable them to pursue basic research in frontier areas of science and technology.
   For more details and guidelines on this scheme visit the
   website: http://serc-dst.org/swarnajayanti.htm
   
   
2. ast Track Scheme For Young Scientists (FAST)
   This scheme promotes research in newly emerging and frontline areas of science and engineering. Young scientists below the age of 35 years, encouraged, under this scheme, to pursue research of high standard in frontier areas of science and engineering, subject to peer review. (Format)
   For more details/ formats and guidelines on this scheme visit the website: http://www.serc-dst.org/fasttrack.htm
   
   
3. Better Opportunities for Young Scientists in Chosen Areas of Science and Technology (BOYSCAST)
   Under the BOYSCAST programme, fellowships of three to twelve months duration are provided every year to the selected young Indian scientists/technologists for conducting advanced research/undergoing specialized training in overseas research laboratories/institutes in chosen frontline areas of science & technology. It is envisaged that the expertise gained by these young scientists/technologists during the Fellowship period will lead to initiation/strengthening of the national programs in these areas as well as further generation and spread of expertise at the national institutes. (Format)
   For more details/ formats and guidelines on this scheme visit the website: http://dst.gov.in/scprog/scres/young_scientist.htm
   
   
4. Utilization of the Scientific Expertise of Retired Scientists (USERS)
   The objective of this scheme is to utilising expertise and potential of large number of eminent scientists in the country who remain active and deeply motivated to participate in S&T development activities even after their retirement.
   For more details visit the website http://dst.gov.in
   
   
5. Funds for Improvement of S&T Infrastructure in Universities and other Higher Educational Institutions (FIST)
   This scheme would provide basic infrastructure and the enabling facilities and environment for promoting R&D in new and emerging areas and attracting fresh talent. (Format)
   For more details/ formats and guidelines on this scheme visit the website: http://dst.gov.in/doc/projects/FIST_2000.pdf
   
   
6. Women Scientists Scheme (WOS-A)
   The ‘Women Scientists Scheme (WOS-A)’ of the Department of Science and Technology is aimed to provide opportunities to women scientists and technologists for pursuing research in frontier areas of science and engineering.  A special provision has been made under this Scheme to encourage those women scientists who have had breaks in their careers.
   For more details/formats and guidelines on this scheme visit the website: http://dst.gov.in/scientific-programme/women-scientists.htm