Innovation In Science Pursuit For Inspired Research (INSPIRE) - Internship 2026

The INSPIRE Internship program brings the top 1% of Class X students to special science camps. These Read More... camps offer a unique chance to connect with top scientists and Nobel laureates, fostering a love for science and research. Read less

Details

Are you a bright student who loves science and just finished Class X? The Indian government has a special program called INSPIRE Internship, designed to give you a real taste of scientific discovery.

What Is This Scheme?

INSPIRE INTERNSHIP is all about sparking your interest in science. It organises special science camps, either during summer or winter. These camps are a fantastic opportunity for you to meet and chat with famous scientists from India and around the world, including Nobel Prize winners! It's a chance to see firsthand how exciting scientific research can be.

Who Can Benefit From This Scheme?

This program is for students who are among the top 1% in their Class X board exams and are currently studying Science in Class XI. The aim is to catch your curiosity early, ideally when you're around 16-17 years old, and encourage you to pursue science subjects further, maybe even a career in research.

Why This Scheme Is Important

By bringing students face-to-face with scientific leaders, the INSPIRE Internship camps aim to nurture your curiosity, encourage you to think creatively and differently, and help you make informed decisions about your future in science. It's about showing you the 'joys of scientific pursuit' and inspiring you to consider a research career.

Objective

The INSPIRE Internship program brings the top 1% of Class X students to special science camps. These camps offer a unique chance to connect with top scientists and Nobel laureates, fostering a love for science and research.

Benefits

Duration of the Summer/Winter Camp:5 days (excluding the days of Journey)

Nature of the Camp:Residential except in Metropolitan Cities

For the Interns:

Each day the schedule of the Program should comprise at least two lectures cum discussion of one and a half hours in the morning hours followed by hands-on experience in the second half (i.e., 1400Hrs to 1730hrs).
The coordinator should engage students in the thinking process on issues of national importance by way of organizing sessions for interns for writing on new and innovative ideas. The following are some of the key areas of priority: Second Green Revolution; Renewable and non Renewable energy; Clean energy; Natural resources utilization for sustainability; Make in India; Swachh Bharat & Ganga Rejuvenation; Energy conservation efficiency and sustainability; Harnessing Modern Technology for the second green revolution; Dairy and Livestock Sector; Solid & Liquid Waste Management; Recycling & processing of waste to conserve resources.
The program Coordinator can organize a pre-dinner interactive session with the students on the first day and initiate discussions about the role of science and technology in the development of the nation.
A session with the participating interns on writing new and innovative ideas on the above areas. The organizer shall evaluate these ideas by the external mentors present during the 4th or 5th day and select the best three write-ups in the raking of 1st 2nd 3rd ….. 10th. The interns whose write-ups will be selected for 1st-10th rank will be awarded during the valedictory function.
Each visiting Nobel Laureate has to interact with the Interns.
Pre-dinner Discussions of INSPIRE interns with Mentors may be arranged each day.
Lab infrastructure in the area of Physics, Chemistry, Life Science, Earth Sciences Mathematical Sciences, etc., Auditorium with sound system, Guest House, Hostel accommodation for boys and girls.

For the Organizers/Mentors:

For the INSPIRE Internship camp of 5 days (excluding the Journey days), ₹ 6500/- student (as an uppermost ceiling/student) will be provided to the coordinating Institute/Department/agency to meet the INSPIRE Internship camp cost.
This cost includes travel costs (as per entitlement & actual), Boarding & Lodging, Stationary including Books & small experimental gadgets, etc., Consumables, Honorarium (to the Mentors, etc.), and organizational expenses for the Students and Indian Mentors invited for the respective INSPIRE Internship camps.
Honorarium to the mentors should be paid a maximum of ₹ 3000 per contributing day, with an upper limit of ₹ 6000 per mentor if the mentor contributes for more than one day in the entire camp duration.
For inviting a Noble Laureate to interact with the students in these Camps as an International Mentor, INSPIRE has also a provision of providing support with a maximum of ₹ 10,00,000 (all-inclusive) per Noble Laureate. Every year a maximum 50 no. of Noble Laureates can be invited to the INSPIRE Internship Camps.

Sources and references

Guidelines

Eligibility Criteria

For Students (Interns):
- You must be a school student.
- You should have ranked in the top 1% in your Class X Board Examination.
- You must be currently studying Science in Class 11th.
- You should not have participated in a similar science camp before.
- You should reside within the same State or Union Territory where the camp is organised.
Important Note: If a board has more top 1% students than available slots for a state/UT, the highest-ranking students who applied will be selected.
For Science Camp Organisers:
- Universities, colleges, or academic/research institutes need to have the necessary laboratory infrastructure for science experiments.
- They must have an auditorium equipped with a sound system and projectors.
- Guest house and hostel facilities for boys and girls are required.
- The organising institute will be responsible for the administrative and financial management of the camp.
For Mentors:
- Mentors are typically distinguished scientists, including Academy Fellows, Bhatnagar Awardees, and academics of national and international repute.

How To Apply

The application process is primarily managed by institutions that are approved to conduct these science camps. Students who meet the eligibility criteria are nominated or selected by their respective schools or examination boards based on their Class X results.

Prospective organisers (Universities, Colleges, Research Institutes) need to apply to the Department of Science & Technology (DST) to get approval to conduct these camps. The exact application details and timelines for organisers are usually announced by the DST.

For the latest information on how institutions can apply to be organisers, please refer to the official INSPIRE website.

Documents Required

For Students (Interns):
- Proof showing you were in the top 1% of your Class X Board Examination.
- A certificate confirming your enrolment in the Science stream for Class 11th.
- A Bonafide Certificate from your institution.
- A signed declaration stating that you have not attended any similar science camp before.
For Organisers:
- A complete report of the INSPIRE Internship Camp, submitted to DST on an external hard drive. This report should include:
  - A hard copy of the application along with uploaded documents, including an endorsement certificate from the Head of the Institute and the program schedule. A declaration that the camp was residential is also needed.
  - Daily attendance sheets for all 5 days (students' signatures only).
  - Completed Registration Forms for each student.
  - Completed Feedback Forms for each student.
  - A one-page summary of student feedback, compiled by the Program Coordinator in the standard format.
  - Feedback from the Course Coordinator.
  - Video recordings of the five-day program.
  - A list of students including their cutoff marks, addresses, and signatures.
  - A list of mentors with their contact details and the schedule of their talks/interactions.
  - Details of practical sessions conducted during the camp.
  - The scientific and technical write-ups of the top 10 ranked students.
  - Audited Utilization Certificate and Statement of Expenditure (2 copies) in the DST format (Proforma 12A) within two months of the camp completion.
  - Unspent funds, including any interest earned, must be deposited via the Non-Tax Receipt Portal (NTRP) at www.bharatkosh.gov.in immediately after finalising accounts.
- Brief Report (Hard Copy & Soft Copy via email to [email protected]):
  - Copy of the sanction order.
  - List of participating students with cutoff marks from their respective Education Boards (State, CBSE, ICSE, etc.).
  - Five-day attendance record of students.
  - List of Mentors with contact details and the title of their talks.
  - Program Schedule followed during the camp.
  - Student feedback summary in the given format (compiled by the Program Coordinator).
  - Program Coordinator's Feedback.
  - Innovative idea write-ups from the Top Ten winners.
  - Audited Utilisation Certificate (GFR 2017, 12A performa).
  - Statement of Expenditure.
  - Certificate confirming the camp was residential.
- Documents to be Retained by the Program Coordinator:
  - A soft and hard copy of the report submitted to DST for their records.
  - Completed Registration and Feedback forms from students, including their photographs, Aadhaar card numbers, cutoff marks, the courses they are pursuing in Class XI, and a declaration that they have not attended a similar camp before.

FAQ’s

When can 12th-grade students attend the INSPIRE Internship Camp?

Yes, students in Class 12 can participate in the INSPIRE INTERNSHIP Camp, but only before the results of their Class X exams are announced each year.

What are the basic requirements for hosting an INSPIRE Internship Camp?

To host the camp, your institute needs to have science labs for Physics, Chemistry, Life Science, Earth Sciences, and Mathematical Sciences. You'll also need an auditorium with a sound system, a guest house, and hostel facilities for both boys and girls.

What is the main goal of the INSPIRE Internship Camp?

The core aim is to show talented young minds the exciting world of scientific innovation, encouraging them to pursue studies and careers in science and research.

What is the financial limit for organising an INSPIRE Internship Science Camp?

The maximum budget is capped at ₹6,500 per student, based on the number of participants approved. This amount covers all costs. No extra grants are provided beyond these limits.

What is the ideal number of students for a camp?

While there isn't a strict minimum or maximum limit, the preferred size for an INSPIRE Internship Science Camp is around 150 students, depending on the hosting institute's capacity.

Who is eligible to take part in these science camps?

Students who meet the eligibility criteria mentioned on the official INSPIRE website (http://www.inspire-dst.gov.in) can participate. This generally means students in Class X who are pursuing Class XI in the Science stream.

How many mentors are typically needed for a camp?

You should invite about 10-12 prominent mentors. It's best to have a mix of experts covering Physics, Chemistry, Life Science, Earth Sciences, and Mathematical Science disciplines.

Can a camp be non-residential?

No, the INSPIRE Internship Science Camp must be residential.

Who can apply to organise an INSPIRE Internship Camp?

Institutes, degree colleges, and universities are eligible to apply to host INSPIRE Internship Science Camps.

What are the qualifications of the Program Coordinator for the camp?

The Program Coordinator must be a regular faculty member or employee of the host institute and should have a background in science.

When can I expect the grant money after my camp is approved?

The first part of the grant is usually released within two months after the program starts, following the standard approval procedure. The final payment will be made once the completion report of the INSPIRE Internship Science camp is received.

Do I need to wait for my bank details to be verified?

If you choose your bank details from the list of already approved banks by DST, you won't have to wait for individual approval.