Fellowship Program - Swarna Jayanti Fellowships - India

SwarnaJayanti Fellowships 2008–09:  Government of India had instituted a scheme ‘The SwarnaJayanti Fellowships’ to commemorate India’s fiftieth year of Independence. Under this scheme a selected number of young scientists, with proven track record, are provided special assistance and support to enable them to pursue basic research in frontier areas of science and technology. The fellowships are scientist specific and not institution specific, very selective and have close academic monitoring.

NATURE OF SUPPORT
The support will cover all the requirements for performing the research and will include a fellowship of Rs 25,000 per month for five years. The fellowship will be provided in addition to the salary they draw from their parent Institution. In addition to fellowship, grants for equipment, computational and communication facilities, consumables, contingencies, administrative support, national and international travel and other special requirements will be covered. Scientists selected for the award will be allowed to pursue unfettered research with a freedom and flexibility in terms of expenditure as
approved in the research plan.

DURATION
The duration of the fellowship will be for a period not exceeding five years.

ELIGIBILITY
The applicant should possess Ph.D. in Science/Engineering/ Medicine. Scientists should be active in  the frontier areas of science and engineering with outstanding contributions (research publications, peer recognition, etc.) in his/her areas of research. The fellowship is open to Indian Nationals residing in India or abroad. The scientists can choose to work at any S&T institution in India, however, he/she will have to submit a letter from Head of the institution at which they wish to pursue research, stating that administrative and basic infrastructural support to facilitate research will be provided. The institute should also undertake financial and other management responsibilities of the project throughout the five year term in case fellowship is awarded to the scientist. The fellowship is open to scientists between 30 to 40 years as on 31 December 2008.

SELECTION
The selection procedure will include consideration at various stages. An empowered committee will make the final selection based on the recommendation of expert committees. Scientists selected for the award should have accomplished innovative original research in frontier areas of science and technology.

APPLICATION
Applications for the ‘SwarnaJayanti Fellowships’ are invited from eligible candidates in the format given below. The candidates may be required to submit further additional information and or presentation before final selection. Only one hard copy and one soft copy of the application in the prescribed format along with the project document should be submitted to:

Dr V. Rao Aiyagari
Head SERC Division
Department of Science & Technology
Technology Bhawan
New Mehrauli Road
New Delhi 110 016

The last date for submission of applications is 31 March 2009.
This advertisement is also available on the internet website at: http://www.dst.gov.in