The Department of Biotechnology has several programs for scholarships/fellowships at the post-graduate, doctorate and the post-doctorate level.

DBT-JRF Program
A new program for Junior Research Fellowship has been launched in 2004-05 to generate human resource at the doctorate level. This aims to fill the gap between the postgraduate teaching courses and the postdoctoral fellowship program. Under this, 43 research fellows have been selected from 24 universities/centers where DBT-supported postgraduate teaching courses are being run. Research fellowship (JRF/SRF) as per the DST/CSIR norms is provided for a period of three years in the beginning and may be extended upto the fifth year on yearly basis depending on the progress in the research project. A consumable grant of Rs 30,000 per fellow per annum is also provided.

"I will call upon students to do PhDs. Doing them will never be an issue. The DBT has several scholarships." - Dr MK Bhan, secretary, DBT.

This year 43 JRFs (Junior Research Fellow) were selected from 24 DBT-supported universities/institutions.

In the draft National Biotechnology Development Strategy, the DBT has proposed to increase the PhD fellowships to 200 per annum.

Post-doctoral fellowship program
The restructured DBT post-doctoral fellowship program is being implemented through the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore since April 2001. The selected fellows can opt to work in universities and R&D institutions of their choice. Under this program, post-doctoral fellowship of Rs 11,000 per PDF per month in the first year and Rs 11, 500/ per month in the second year and a contingency grant of Rs 50,000 per PDF per annum is provided for the period of two years. Every year a maximum of 75 PDFs can be selected in two batches. Selection is made by the expert committee constituted at the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore.

During 2004-05 56 PDFs were selected in two batches.

Biotechnology Overseas Associateship
The DBT has been pursuing the Biotechnology Overseas Assocaiteship program to facilitate the availability of skilled scientists in adequate number. The program provides an opportunity to scientists for conducting advanced research or undergoing specialized research training in overseas research institutions/ laboratories in the priority areas of biotechnology. The overseas associateship is awarded under two categories namely long term (for a period of one year) and short term (for a period of 3-6 months).

Biology Scholarships
The DBT provides biology scholarships to the top students in biology at the CBSE 10+2 level examination. Each scholarship award comprises a cash prize of Rs 15,000, a gold-plated medal and a certificate of merit. Every year 25 scholarships are awarded. Selection of the 25 students is made from the merit list provided by the CBSE who are pursuing higher education in biology or related subjects after 10+2.

Junior Research Fellowships
Besides the scholarships offered by the DBT, the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research holds national level joint CSIR-UGC Examination (NET) normally twice every year, one in June and another in December. This examination determines the eligibility of Indian nationals for the award of Junior Research Fellowships (JRF) in science including biotechnology. Many of the state universities also offer scholarships/assistantship to students.

Pact with TWAS
The DBT has entered into an agreement with Third World Academy of Sciences (TWAS) to provide 50 fellowships annually in biotechnology for doctorate and post-doctorate studies to students from developing countries.