Union Ministry for Science and Technology has announced four schemes to promote young scientists and researchers in the country. The schemes primarily aim at early recognition and reward to young talent in the field of science. “The schemes focus on youth to empower, recognize and motivate them,” Dr Harsh Vardhan, Union Minister for Science and Technology informed the media while announcing the new schemes.
THE MAIN SCHEME
— A bid to tap the potential of trained faculty in Universities, colleges and private academic institutions
— 500 teachers will be assisted under the Teacher Associateship for Research Excellence (TARE) scheme
— It will connect them to leading public funded institutions like IIT, IISc or national institutions like CSIR, preferably nearer to their place of work to pursue research.
— Pay would be Rs. 5 lakh yearly, and a monthly out-of-pocket expense of Rs. 5,000. This will be in addition to the salary from the existing employer.
THE SECOND SCHEME
Overseas Visiting Doctoral Fellowship offers support to 100 PhD scholars for training in universities/laboratories abroad upto 12 months during their doctoral research. They would be given a monthly fellowship equivalent to US $ 2000, one-time contingency allowance of Rs. 60,000/- to cover travel and visa fee.
THIRD SCHEME
The Distinguished Investigator Award offers a maximum of 100 fellowships to principal investigators of SERB/DST projects.
The selected 100 researchers will be given a monthly fellowship of Rs. 15,000/- for three years and an optional research grant, based on peer review of the project proposal submitted.
FOURTH SCHEME
— Augmenting Writing Skills for Articulating Research, AWSAR
A scheme to encourage science writing seeks to tap the potential of over 20,000 PhD scholars in science to popularise and communicate their research outcome. It carries a monetary incentive of Rs. 10,000/- each for 100 best entries in a year and a Certificate of Appreciation, besides getting the story published. Three leading stories from the selected 100 would be awarded Rs. 1 lakh, Rs. 50,000/- and Rs. 25,000/- respectively.
