If you want financial support to work in a life-science-related lab in India this summer, this guide lays out exactly how the NGSF internship funding works, who is eligible, how to apply, and practical tips to improve your chances. Read through the eligibility rules carefully, prepare your application thoughtfully, and start contacting principal investigators early as competition is high.
Quick summary
- Who provides the award: NextGen Scientist Foundation (NGSF) — a student run funding body. NGSF funds internships; it does not place interns or run labs.
- Where the internship must be: Any Indian university or research institute (public or private), outside your home university. Companies are not eligible.
- Duration: Minimum two months, typically two to three months during the summer window (earliest start May 1; latest end around August 31).
- Mode: On-site or remote — depends on the PI’s agreement. Reported stipend levels are roughly 3,000/month for remote and 6,000/month for on-site (check the website for current values).
- Application deadline: March 15 (apply before then).
Eligibility checklist
Before you apply, confirm the following:
- Enrolled student: You must be actively enrolled in an undergraduate or master’s program at an Indian university for the entire internship period. If you graduate before or during the internship, you are not eligible.
- Life-science component: The internship must have a biology or life-science element. Your degree can be in any discipline (physics, engineering, computer science), but the research must include life-science content.
- Outside your home university: The internship must be at an institute different from the one where you are enrolled. You can work at another IIT or university, but not your own.
- No duplicate funding or fees: You cannot already receive funding or a stipend for the same internship, and you must not pay a fee to work in the lab. If the host requires a fee, you will be ineligible.
What NGSF does — and what it does not do
NGSF provides conditional funding to students who have already been accepted to work in a lab. It does not arrange placements, provide training directly, or run internships. Your role is to find a PI who accepts you, obtain an official acceptance letter, and submit that along with your application to NGSF.
Application essentials
Prepare these documents before you start the online form:
- PI acceptance letter: Use the acceptance letter template available under “Apply” on https://ngsf.in/ngs-internship-program/. The PI must fill and sign it (with institutional seal if applicable).
- Transcripts/mark sheets: Upload your available mark sheets (UG or PG). Scanned unofficial copies are fine; you do not need certified originals for the application.
- Two-page CV summarizing education, skills, relevant coursework, and any research experience.
- Application form answers: Three short essays (generally ~150–200 words each) that describe: how the internship aligns with your research interests, what you will do during the internship, and how the internship will help your future plans. These are the most important part of your application.
Selection process and evaluation
Selection happens in two stages. First, the written application is reviewed and a shortlist is created (typically about twice the final number of awards). Shortlisted candidates are interviewed about their application and proposed work. Final awards are decided after interviews.
Marks are used only as a tiebreaker. Strong, clear answers to the three application questions matter most. If you have backlogs or lower marks but compelling motivation and a good plan, you still have a shot.
Finding and contacting PIs — practical advice
- Start early: PIs receive many emails; replies can be slow. Begin emailing several months in advance.
- Apply to multiple PIs: Don’t rely on a single lab. Apply broadly, but only to labs you are genuinely interested in.
- Customize each email: Tailor your message to the lab. Mention a specific paper, project, or technique and explain why you want to join that lab. Generic emails get ignored.
- Where to look: University faculty and lab pages are the best source for PI emails and research descriptions. NGSF’s recommended institutes list can help if you don’t know where to begin.
- Be realistic: If you’re an undergraduate, PIs expect less technical knowledge than for a master’s applicant. Show curiosity and willingness to learn; read a few relevant papers before contacting them.
Suggested structure for an initial email
- Subject: Summer internship — [Your name], [your degree and year], interested in [specific project/area]
- One sentence: Who you are (university, degree, year)
- One sentence: Why this lab/paper/project interests you
- One sentence: What you can do or hope to learn during the internship
- Attachment: CV and, if available, marksheets
- Polite close with request for consideration and whether remote/on-site option is possible
Remote vs on-site
Remote internships are accepted only if the PI agrees they can be done remotely. Computational or bioinformatics projects are more likely to be approved as remote. NGSF will fund remote internships if the PI confirms remote work is feasible.
Important FAQs
- Can final-year students apply? Only if their degree end date falls after the internship end date. If you graduate during the internship, you are not eligible.
- Can I be paid by both the host and NGSF? No. If you already receive stipend funding for the internship, you are not eligible for NGSF funding.
- Are private universities allowed? Yes. Any university or research institute in India is allowed, as long as it is not a for-profit company that charges fees.
- Is there an application fee? No. NGSF does not charge an application fee.
- Are internships that require payment to the PI allowed? No. If the host charges you a fee, you are ineligible.
- What about dissertation funding? NGSF sometimes offers a dissertation grant as a perk to previous NGSF interns. Check the website for current rules and availability.
Final tips
- Start contacting PIs now — summer slots fill quickly.
- Craft concise, tailored emails and apply to several labs.
- Write focused answers to the three core application questions — these carry the most weight.
- Check ngsf.in for the acceptance letter template, application form, and the “Summer is Coming” article that provides sample email text and cover-letter guidance.
- Direct application questions to intern@ngsf.in rather than personal messages.
Good preparation and early action make a big difference. If you line up a PI who wants you, get the acceptance letter, and write strong application answers, you’ll be competitive. Best of luck with your applications.
Questions and Answers Session on the NGSF Internship Program Application Guide (Youtube Video)
