SERB-POWER Scheme

• 30 Oct 2020

Why in News

Recently, the Union Minister for Science and Technology has launched SERB-POWER (Promoting Opportunities for Women in Exploratory Research) Scheme, which has two components of fellowship and research grants.

• The Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB), is a statutory body of the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India.

Key Points

• It is a scheme designed exclusively for women scientists to mitigate gender disparity in science and engineering research in various science and technology (S&T) programmes in Indian academic institutions and research and development (R&D) laboratories.
• It will serve as a benchmark of recognition in the national scenario and will empower women scientists and cultivate a women-friendly culture and ensure more women in leadership positions in decision-making bodies.
• SERB-POWER Fellowship:
  
  • 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.
  • Components of Support:
    
    • Fellowship of Rs. 15,000/- per month in addition to regular income.
    • Research grant of Rs. 10 lakh per annum.
    • Overhead of Rs. 90,000/- per annum.
  • Duration:
    
    • Three years, without the possibility of extension. Once in a career.
• SERB-POWER Research Grants:
  
  • Funding under Two Categories for up to 50 Power Grants:
    
    • Level I: Up to 60 lakhs for three years for applicants from IITs, IISERs, IISc, NITs, Central Universities, and National Labs of Central Government Institutions.
    • Level II: Up to 30 lakhs for three years for applicants from State Universities/Colleges and Private Academic Institutions.
  • Regulations:
    
    • Grants will be regulated through terms of reference conforming to SERB-Core Research Grant (CRG) guidelines.

Related Government Initiatives

• Vigyan Jyoti Scheme:
  
  • Launched by the DST, it aims to create a level-playing field for the meritorious girls in high school to pursue Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) in their higher education.
• Gender Advancement for Transforming Institutions Scheme:
  
  • GATI Scheme will develop a comprehensive charter and a framework for assessing gender equality in STEM.
• Knowledge Involvement in Research Advancement through Nurturing Scheme:
  
  • Started by the DST, KIRAN scheme aims to bring gender parity in the S&T sector by inducting more women talent in the R&D domain.
• Beti Bachao Beti Padhao Scheme:
  
  • BBBP Scheme is the joint initiative of the Ministry of Women and Child Development, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and Ministry of Human Resource Development to ensure survival, protection, and empowerment of the girl child.
• National Science Day 2020:
  
  • It was celebrated on 28^th February 2020 with the theme ‘Women In Science’.
  • Dr Niti Kumar, a senior scientist from the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research-Central Drug Research Institute (CSIR-CDRI), Lucknow received SERB Women Excellence Award-2020 on this occasion.

Source: PIB