Keralam ASPIRE Scholarship Scheme

The ASPIRE Scholarship Scheme, managed by the Directorate of Collegiate Education, Kerala, provides financial support to eligible second-year PG, M.Phil. and Ph.D. students for short-term research projects at other institutions. Students receive Rs. 8,000 per month for projects within Kerala and Rs. 10,000 per month for projects outside the State. The award can be held along with other scholarships, fellowships or grants.

Introduction of Keralam ASPIRE Scholarship Scheme: A Brief Insight

Students often read about advanced laboratories and research centres but rarely get the chance to work in them. A short research project at another institution can help them gain practical experience and learn from experienced researchers. The ASPIRE Scholarship Scheme, also known as the Research Award, offers this opportunity to eligible students in Keralam.

The Government of Keralam introduced the scheme through a Government Order in 2014 and revised its guidelines in 2017. The Directorate of Collegiate Education, Higher Education Department, Government of Kerala, manages the scheme. It aims to connect students with research institutions and scientists by supporting short-term internships and projects outside their own college or department.

Selected students receive Rs. 8,000 per month for projects within Kerala and Rs. 10,000 per month for projects outside the State. Second-year PG students receive support for one month, M.Phil. scholars for two months and Ph.D. scholars for four months. A Ph.D. scholar can therefore receive up to Rs. 40,000. Students can also hold the award along with other scholarships, and Ph.D. scholars receive the largest share of awards.

Second-year PG students, M.Phil. scholars and Ph.D. scholars studying in Government or aided colleges and university departments under Kerala State universities can apply. They must meet the prescribed academic requirements, including at least 55% marks in their basic course and the required attendance. Applicants must also arrange a host institution willing to guide their project and obtain a No Objection Certificate from their parent college.

Students can apply online through the DCE Scholarship portal when the annual notification is released, usually around August or September. They must also submit a printed application at their college’s scholarship counter if the notification requires it. For assistance, students can contact the Directorate at 0471-2306580 or email dcescholarship@gmail.com.

Students from forward communities with limited family income can also explore the Vidyasamunnathi Merit Scholarship, which supports education up to the Ph.D. level. Students preparing for NET, SET or other competitive examinations after postgraduate studies may also benefit from the Vidyasamunnathi Coaching Assistance Scheme.

Postgraduate students, research scholars and others looking for education and welfare schemes offered by the Keralam Government can explore more programmes on our Keralam Government Welfare Schemes page.

Benefits Provided to Eligible Beneficiaries

The ASPIRE Scholarship Scheme, also known as the Research Award, provides financial support to eligible students undertaking short-term research projects at institutions other than their own. The scholarship amount depends on the project’s location and the student’s course level.

Monthly Scholarship Rate

Total Scholarship Amount by Course

In an earlier round, Ph.D. scholars who completed four-month research projects at institutions such as BARC, Mumbai, and Assam Agricultural University received Rs. 40,000 each.

Additional Benefits

• Practical research experience in advanced laboratories and research centres
• Guidance from scientists and experienced faculty members at host institutions
• A completion certificate to strengthen the applicant’s academic and research profile
• Exposure to research institutions outside the applicant’s own college or university

Other Scheme Features

• The award can be combined with other fellowships, scholarships or grants.
• Awards are distributed on merit, with the largest share allocated to Ph.D. scholars.
• No income-based eligibility condition is mentioned in the provided scheme details.

Payment of Scholarship

The parent college or department processes the scholarship claim after the student submits the required project report and completion certificate. The payable amount depends on the approved project duration and whether the host institution is located within or outside Kerala.

Eligibility Conditions Required to be Fulfilled

The ASPIRE Research Award supports postgraduate students and research scholars who want to gain research experience at another institution. Applicants must meet the academic, attendance and institutional requirements prescribed under the scheme.

Who Can Apply

• Second-year PG students, M.Phil. scholars and Ph.D. scholars
• Regular, full-time students only
• Students of Government or aided colleges and university departments under Kerala State universities, including Kerala, Mahatma Gandhi, Calicut, Kannur, CUSAT and Sree Sankaracharya University of Sanskrit
• Students from Science, Social Science, Humanities and Business Studies streams

Academic Conditions

Project Conditions

• The research project or internship must take place at an institution other than the applicant’s own college or department.
• The host institution may be located in Kerala or another State.
• A guide at the host institution must agree to supervise the project.
• The parent institution must issue a No Objection Certificate (NOC).

Distribution of Awards

The awards are distributed among PG, M.Phil. and Ph.D. students in the ratio of 2:3:5, respectively.

Important Rules

• An applicant can receive the award only once during a course.
• The award can be held along with another fellowship, scholarship or grant.
• Selection depends on merit and the quality of the project proposal.
• Students of self-financing colleges and those studying through distance or private mode are not eligible.

Documents Required to be Attached

The ASPIRE Scholarship Scheme, also called the Research Award, supports short-term research at another institution. Applicants must submit the required academic records, project documents and certificates in the prescribed formats.

Papers Linked to Your Project

Academic and Personal Documents

• Marksheets showing at least 55% marks in the qualifying course
• Enrolment or bonafide certificate for regular PG, M.Phil. or Ph.D. students
• Previous year’s attendance certificate showing at least 75% attendance (73% for girls)
• Aadhaar Card or other valid identity proof
• Bank account details in the applicant’s name, with IFSC code
• Completed application form and Google Form, if required

Papers Needed After the Project

• Joint Report signed by the applicant and supervisors in the prescribed format
• Project report describing the completed research work
• Completion certificate from the host institution
• Utilisation details submitted by the parent institution while claiming the amount

How Beneficiaries Can Apply to Avail the Benefit of this Scheme

To apply for the ASPIRE Research Award, you need to choose a host institution, prepare a research project proposal and collect the required certificates before submitting your application. The Directorate of Collegiate Education invites applications through its official channels. Applications usually open around August or September, but the dates may vary. The notification for 2026-27 is awaited, so you can start preparing the documents in advance.

Part 1: Choose Your Host and Project

Step 1: Talk to your teacher or research guide about the subject you want to study. Choose a project that matches your course and helps you gain practical research experience.

Step 2: Select a host institution other than your own college or department. It may be a university department, research institute or national laboratory.

Step 3: Contact a professor or scientist at the selected institution. Explain your project idea and ask whether they can guide you during the research period.

Step 4: After the host institution agrees to guide you, obtain the Consent Letter and Facility Certificate in the prescribed format.

Part 2: Prepare Your Proposal and NOC

Step 1: Prepare a research proposal of around one to one and a half pages. Clearly explain what you want to study, the purpose of the project and how you plan to carry out the work.

Step 2: Do not mention your name or college in the proposal if the official guidelines require an anonymous submission. This allows the reviewers to assess the proposal without knowing the applicant’s identity.

Step 3: Obtain a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from your Principal or Head of Department. This certificate confirms that your parent institution has no objection to your participation in the project.

Part 3: Apply Online

Step 1: Visit the Scholarships page of the Directorate of Collegiate Education. Find the latest Research Award (ASPIRE) notification and read the instructions carefully.

Step 2: Download the prescribed formats for the NOC, Consent Letter and Joint Report from the Directorate’s page, wherever available.

Step 3: Open the DCE Scholarship portal and complete the online application for the Research Award, following the instructions in the current notification.

Step 4: If the notification requires a Google Form, open the link provided on the Directorate’s page and submit that form as well.

Step 5: Provide the required documents, such as marksheets, enrolment certificate, attendance certificate, Consent Letter, NOC and project proposal. Upload them online or submit them in the manner specified in the notification, then complete the application process.

Part 4: Submit the Hard Copy at College

Step 1: If the notification requires a printed application, download and print the completed form.

Step 2: Attach the required document copies and submit the application set at your college’s Scholarship counter before the deadline. Follow the latest notification to confirm which documents you must submit and whether a hard copy is compulsory.

Part 5: Check the Selection List

Step 1: Regularly check the News and Updates page of the DCE portal and the Directorate’s scholarship page for selection-related announcements.

Step 2: Check whether the Directorate publishes a provisional selection list and a final list. Follow the instructions given in the latest notice for your course category.

Step 3: If the Directorate selects you, contact your host guide and follow the instructions regarding the project schedule and commencement date.

Part 6: After You Finish the Project

Step 1: Prepare a report describing the research work you completed and the results or findings of your project.

Step 2: Obtain the completion certificate from your host institution and complete the Joint Report in the prescribed format.

Step 3: Submit the required documents to your parent college or department. It will process the scholarship claim according to the scheme’s instructions.

Important: Start contacting potential host institutions well before the application deadline. Getting a guide’s consent and arranging the required certificates can take time. Also, check the latest official notification before applying, as the application dates, document formats and submission requirements may change.

Important Links Available of the Scheme

• DCE Scholarship portal, Government of Keralam
• Scholarships page of the Directorate of Collegiate Education, with ASPIRE notices and formats
• News and updates on DCE scholarships and selection lists
• University of Kerala order on ASPIRE Scholarship (PDF)

Contact Details in Case of Help Needed

• Office: Special Officer (Scholarships), Directorate of Collegiate Education, 6th Floor, Vikas Bhavan, Thiruvananthapuram – 695033
• Phone: 0471-2306580
• Mobile: 9446096580, 9446780308
• Email: dcescholarship@gmail.com
• At College Level: Scholarship section or Head of your Department

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Tabassum

Tabassum is a government schemes researcher and writer with 5 years of experience tracking Central and State welfare scheme programmes across India. She has covered 500+ schemes spanning agriculture, women welfare, education, and housing, helping lakhs of beneficiaries understand their entitlements in simple language.