Introduction The ASPIRE Scholarship Scheme, also known as the ASPIRE Research Award, is a Government of Kerala initiative that encourages students to gain practical research experience beyond their regular academic institutions. It is implemented through the Directorate of Collegiate Education (DCE) under the RUSA framework. The scheme provides monthly financial assistance to eligible postgraduate, M.Phil. and PhD students undertaking approved short-term research projects or internships at reputed institutions. Students can benefit from expert guidance, advanced research facilities and academic exposure outside their parent college or department. Selected students may receive ₹8,000 per month for research within Kerala and ₹10,000 per month for research outside the state. The scholarship duration depends on the course level and is subject to the applicable scheme guidelines. Benefits Research allowance within Kerala: ₹8,000 per month. Research allowance outside Kerala: ₹10,000 per month. Maximum duration for PG students: 1 month. Maximum duration for M.Phil. students: 2 months. Maximum duration for PhD students: 4 months. Research exposure: Access to reputed institutions, facilities and expert guidance. Direct payment: The approved scholarship amount is transferred to the student's bank account. Preference is given to students undertaking research outside Kerala. The amount and duration remain subject to approval under the applicable scheme instructions. Eligibility The applicant must be enrolled in a recognised institution under the Directorate of Collegiate Education or a university in Kerala. Eligible applicants may include postgraduate, M.Phil. and PhD students, subject to the applicable notification. The proposed internship or research project must be conducted outside the student's parent college or department. The host institution must satisfy the scheme's prescribed standards. Within Kerala, eligible options include NAAC A-grade colleges, IITs or IIMs. A qualified scholar or guide at the host institution must agree to supervise the project. Students may need approval or a recommendation from their parent department, college or university, as applicable. The current minimum qualifying percentage or CGPA is not specified in the provided information; applicants should check the latest official notification. Documents Research or internship proposal of approximately 1 to 1.5 pages. Sanction letter from the host institution. Facility certificate issued by the host institution. Consent letter from the host institution or research guide. No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the parent college or department. Bank account details for scholarship payment. Department Council recommendation and signatures of the guide and Head of Department or Principal, where required by the relevant university's application format. Applicants should confirm the final document checklist in the current DCE notification before submitting the application. Process to Apply Choose a suitable research topic or short-term internship project. Identify an eligible host institution and contact a scholar who can supervise the work. Obtain the host guide's consent, sanction letter and facility certificate. Request an NOC from the parent college or department. Prepare a project proposal of around 1 to 1.5 pages. Arrange any university-specific recommendations, signatures or approvals required for the application. Visit the ASPIRE Scholarship application portal when applications are open. Enter the required personal, academic, college, host institution and bank details. Upload the proposal and supporting documents, review the form and submit it before the announced deadline. Check the DCE website for provisional and final selection lists and follow the instructions issued to selected students. After selection, join the host institution and submit the joining report as directed by DCE. The approved scholarship amount is credited to the applicant's bank account. Selection process: Applications are scrutinised by the concerned authorities, followed by the publication of provisional and final selection lists. Selected students must complete the joining formalities before receiving the sanctioned assistance. Application dates and other instructions should be checked in the latest official notification. Important Links and Contact Application portal: ASPIRE Scholarship Portal Directorate of Collegiate Education portal: DCE Scholarship Website Official department website: Directorate of Collegiate Education Kerala Scholarship guidelines: Refer to the latest ASPIRE notification and guidelines published by DCE. A verified direct guidelines link was not provided in the source. Helpline numbers: 0471-2303107, 0471-2303548 Email: dir.colledn@kerala.gov.in, dcedirectorate@gmail.com FAQs Q1. What is the Keralam ASPIRE Scholarship?It is a Kerala Government scholarship that supports eligible students undertaking short-term research projects or internships at approved host institutions. Q2. Who can apply for the ASPIRE Scholarship?Eligible postgraduate, M.Phil. and PhD students enrolled in recognised institutions under DCE or universities in Kerala may apply, subject to the current notification. Q3. How much scholarship is provided under ASPIRE?The stated rate is ₹8,000 per month for research within Kerala and ₹10,000 per month for research outside the state. Q4. What is the maximum scholarship period?The stated maximum is one month for postgraduate students, two months for M.Phil. students and four months for PhD students. Q5. Can students conduct research at their own college?The project is intended to take place outside the student's parent college or department. Q6. Which institutions can host ASPIRE research projects?Eligible hosts must meet the scheme's standards. Within Kerala, the provided information identifies NAAC A-grade colleges, IITs and IIMs as eligible categories. Q7. Is a research guide required?Yes. A scholar or guide at the host institution must agree to supervise the proposed project. Q8. Which documents are required for the application?Commonly listed documents include the project proposal, host institution sanction letter, facility certificate, guide consent, parent institution NOC and bank details. Additional university-specific approvals may apply. Q9. How can students apply for the ASPIRE Scholarship?Students should prepare the required documents and apply through the DCE portal when the application window is open, following the latest official instructions. Q10. Where can applicants get assistance about the scheme?Applicants can contact the Directorate of Collegiate Education, Kerala, at 0471-2303107 or 0471-2303548, or email dir.colledn@kerala.gov.in or dcedirectorate@gmail.com.