SERB – POWER Schemes launched

SERB – POWER Schemes launched

Question: SERB – POWER schemes recently launched by the Union government are related to-
a) Hydro-electricity
b) Solar –power
c) Thermal- power
d) Encouraging women researchers in R&D
Answer: (d)

  • On 29 October 2020; Science and Technology Minister Harsh Vardhan launched the SERB – POWER schemes.
  • The schemes have been launched to promote emerging as well as eminent women researchers to undertake R&D activities.
  • The scheme aims to encourage women researchers in frontier areas of science and engineering.
  • The schemes will promote women researchers in regular service in academic and research institutions to take up R&D at the highest level.
  • This will be done through two categories of research support: SERB – POWER Fellowship and SERB – POWER Research Grants.
  • POWER Fellowship
  • The SERB-Power Fellowship offers a personal fellowship and a research grant to top-performing women researchers for a period of three years.
  • The fellowship will be of Rs 15,000 per month in addition to regular income.
  • The SERB – Power Fellowship will be given to women researchers in the age group of 35-55 years.
  • SERB – Power Research Grants
  • The SERB – Power Research Grants ensure funding to undertake highly impactful research across all disciplines of Science & Technology.
  • The power research grant will be of Rs 10 lakh per annum for a period of three years.
  • It should be known that The Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB) is a body under the Department of Science and Technology.
  • Mr Vardhan emphasized the significance of empowering women researchers in the S&T landscape at the virtual event.
  • The minister said globally, just 30 per cent of the world’s researchers are women while 18.6 per cent of India’s full-time R&D personnel are women.
  • Vardhan explained that women in this field need special attention and alternate ways of a support system as they are faced by career interruptions especially related to caregiving responsibilities.
  • He said that the new Science Technology and Innovation Policy (STIP) 2020 will also emphasize on encouraging women scientists.
  • The fellowship will be of Rs 15,000 per month in addition to regular income, while the research grant will be of Rs 10 lakh per annum for a period of three years.
  • Under the SERB – Power Research Grants, women researchers will be funded under two categories.
  • The first category includes women scientists from IITs, IISERs, IISc, NITs, central universities, and national labs of the Central government institutions. They will be eligible for funding up to Rs 60 lakhs for three years.
  • Level two will comprise scientists and researchers from state universities/ colleges and private academics. They will be eligible for funding up to 30 lakhs for three years.

By – Rajesh Tripathi

Link:
https://www.hindustantimes.com/education/dst-launches-schemes-for-women-scientists-researchers-in-science-and-engineering/story-Bhn1RLDfyOHa7xDv2JUGRM.html
https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetailm.aspx?PRID=1668565