WISE Internship in Intellectual Property Rights (WISE-IPR)
About the Programme
The WISE Internship in Intellectual Property Rights (WISE-IPR) erstwhile (WOS-C) is one of the flagship initiatives of the Department of Science & Technology (DST), Government of India, launched in 2002, the programme was designed to address the challenges faced by highly qualified women in science who were unable to pursue their scientific careers due to various personal or professional circumstances. The WISE IPR programme aims to train women scientists in the area of IPR through a structured one-year training programme.
The WISE-IPR scheme was awarded the Nari Shakti Puraskar 2015 (Rani Lakshmibai Award) by the Hon'ble President of India on the occasion of International Women's Day, recognizing its significant contribution towards women empowerment in science and technology.
The programme aims to train women with qualifications in Science, Engineering, Medicine, and allied disciplines in the field of Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) and IP Management through a one-year internship programme. The objective is to develop a skilled pool of women professionals capable of creating, protecting, and managing intellectual property in India.
The programme was initially implemented by the Technology Information, Forecasting and Assessment Council (TIFAC), an autonomous organization under DST. Starting with 2nd batch of WISE IPR, the Technology Development Board (TDB), a statutory body under the Department of Science & Technology, is entrusted with implementing of the programme.
Objectives
- To train women having background of science & Technology in the area of Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs).
- To develop a core of professionals, skilled and well-versed with all the dimensions of IPR laws for protection and management of Intellectual Property.
- To empower women scientists and technologists to open up a new career avenue in IPR as well as strengthen their own research.
Eligibility Criteria
Minimum Essential Qualification for entering the scheme
(a). Indian woman citizen
(b). Women with Master of Science; Bachelors in Engineering / Technology or equivalent.
(c). Age: Minimum 25 years; Maximum 45 years
Programme Duration
The internship is conducted over a period of one year, comprising:
- One month of intensive orientation programme on Intellectual Property Rights at New Delhi.
- 11 months of on-the-job training at organizations and agencies engaged in Intellectual Property Rights practice.
A Certificate of Completion is awarded upon successful completion of the internship.
Stipend
Selected interns receive a monthly stipend based on their highest educational qualification.
| Qualification | Monthly Stipend |
|---|---|
| M.Sc. (Basic/Applied Sciences), B.Tech., MBBS or equivalent | ₹30,000 |
| M.Phil., M.Tech., M.Pharm., M.V.Sc. or equivalent | ₹35,000 |
| Ph.D. (Basic/Applied Sciences) or equivalent | ₹40,000 |
Selection Process
Selection to the WISE-IPR programme is conducted through a transparent, nationwide process.
The programme is advertised in newspapers across India Selection to the scheme is through an all-India online examination (computer-based test) and interview.
Final selection is based on performance in both stages.
Tentative Seat Allocation
| Subject Area | Seats |
|---|---|
| Chemistry & Chemical Sciences | 22 |
| Drugs, Food & Pharmaceutical Sciences | 10 |
| Life Sciences & Biotechnology | 15 |
| Mechanical, Production, Industrial, Civil, Structural, Construction, Transportation & Materials Engineering | 8 |
| Electrical, Electronics & Communication, Instrumentation & Biomedical Engineering | 25 |
| Computer Science, Information Technology & ICT | 15 |
| Other Science-related Disciplines | 5 |
| Total | 100 |
Coordination Centres
The Technology Development Board (TDB) serves as the Nodal Agency for implementation of the WISE-IPR programme across India. In addition to TDB, four regional coordination centres facilitate training and programme execution.
1. New Delhi (Nodal Centre)
Technology Development Board (TDB)
AI Block, Technology Bhavan, 2nd Floor
New Mehrauli Road
New Delhi – 110016
Phone: 011-26511208
2. Pune
CSIR – Unit for Research & Development of Information Products (URDIP)
Council of Scientific & Industrial Research
"Tapovan", Site Nos. 113 & 114, NCL Campus
Pune – 411008, Maharashtra
Phone: +91-727-605-3010
Email: contact@urdip.res.in
3. Bengaluru
Karnataka State Council for Science and Technology (KSCST)
Indian Institute of Science Campus
Bengaluru – 560012, Karnataka
Phone: 080-23341652, 23348848, 23348849, 23348840
Email: office@kscst.org.in, office.kscst@iisc.ac.in
4. Kharagpur
Continuing Education Programme
Women Scientist Scholarship Scheme – TIFAC-PFC-DST
Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur
Kharagpur – 721302, West Bengal
Phone: 03222-282111 / 282112
Email: cep-off@hijli.iitkgp.ernet.in
5. Guwahati
Assam Science & Technology and Environment Council (ASTEC)
Bigyan Bhawan, G.S. Road, Bhangagarh
Guwahati – 781005, Assam
Phone: +91-727-605-3010
Email: directorastec@gmail.com, astec@rediffmail.com
