SERB (Science and Engineering Research Board) – POWER (Promoting Opportunities For Women in Exploratory Research) Research Grants 2023

The Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB) in India is offering the POWER (Promoting Opportunities For Women in Exploratory Research) Research Grants 2023, aimed at encouraging and supporting women researchers in the fields of science and engineering. This full-funding scholarship provides an excellent opportunity for Indian women researchers to pursue individual-centric and competitive research in cutting-edge areas of science and engineering.

Grant Categories:

The POWER Grants are divided into two categories based on the scale of funding and duration:

1. Level I: Funding of up to 60 Lakhs for three years.
2. Level II: Funding of up to 30 Lakhs for three years.

Eligibility Criteria:

To be eligible for the SERB – POWER Research Grants, applicants (Principal Investigator and Co-Principal Investigator(s)) must meet the following requirements:

1. Indian citizenship.
2. Hold a regular academic/research position in a recognized academic institution, national laboratory, or any other recognized R&D institution in India.
3. Applicants from prestigious institutions like IITs, IISERs, IISc, NITs, Central Universities, and National Labs of Central Government Institutions will be considered under Level I, while applicants from State Universities/Colleges and Private Academic Institutions should apply under Level II.
4. Applicants must adhere to SERB-CRG guidelines.
5. Faculties recruited through UGC-Faculty Recharge Program, INSPIRE Faculty, Ramanujan, and Ramalingaswamy Fellows are eligible to apply, provided they have a minimum of three and a half years of tenure remaining at the time of application.

Application Process:

The SERB-Core Research Grant (CRG) Platform will be used to identify and support women scientists under the POWER Research Grant component. There are two application streams:

1. Stream 1: Direct Applications for POWER Grant (Online)
2. Stream 2: Applications sourced from CRG Scheme (All PACs)

Project Proposal Details:

Interested applicants must provide the following details in their project proposal:

1. Project Title (maximum 500 characters)
2. Project Summary (maximum 3000 characters)
3. Keywords (maximum 6)
4. Objectives of the Project (maximum 1500 characters)
5. Expected Output and Outcome of the Proposal (maximum 1500 characters)
6. Budget Allocation (for Research Personnel, Consumables, Travel, Equipment, Contingency, and Overheads)

Selection Process:

The selection of grant recipients will be based on the recommendations of the Program Advisory Committee (PAC) constituted by the Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB). Applicants may be called for further discussion or presentation if required.

Conclusion:

The SERB – POWER Research Grants 2023 serve as a remarkable opportunity for women researchers in India to excel in frontier areas of science and engineering. By offering full research funding and supporting innovative projects, this scholarship aims to empower and encourage more women to contribute significantly to the research landscape of the nation. The deadline for applications varies, so interested applicants should visit the official SERB website for further details and submit their applications in a timely manner.