Union Minister for Science & Technology Dr. Harsh Vardhan on October 29, 2020 launched a Scheme titled “SERB-POWER (Promoting Opportunities for Women in Exploratory Research)”.
- The scheme has been launched by the Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB), a Statutory body of the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India.
- The scheme has been designed exclusively for women scientists.
Two components of the scheme
- The Scheme has two components namely (i) SERB-POWER Fellowship (ii) SERB- POWER Research Grants. The salient features of each of these are as follows:
SERB-POWER Fellowship:
a) Target: Women researchers in 35-55 years of age. Up-to 25 Fellowships per year and not more than 75 at any point in time.
b) Components of support: Fellowship of Rs. 15,000/- per month in addition to regular income; Research grant of Rs. 10 lakh per annum; and Overhead of Rs. 90,000/- per annum.
c). Duration: Three years, without the possibility of extension. Once in a career.
SERB – POWER Research Grants
a) POWER Grants will empower women researchers by funding them under following two categories:
i. Level I (Applicants from IITs, IISERs, IISc, NITs, Central Universities, and National Labs of Central Government Institutions): The scale of funding is up to 60 lakhs for three years.
ii. Level II (Applicants from State Universities / Colleges and Private Academic Institutions): The scale of funding is up to 30 lakhs for three years.
b. POWER Grant will be regulated through terms of reference conforming to SERB-CRG(Science and Engineering Research Board-Core Research Grant) guidelines.
- It is proposed to institute 25 POWER Fellowships annually. A total of 50 Power Grants each will be sanctioned in Level I & Level II per annum.
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