October 30, 2020
TED NewsDesk, New Delhi: The Department of Science and Technology launched SERB-POWER schemes in an online event on Thursday to expand research activities. Mr Harsh Vardhan, Minister, Science and Technology, introduced the programme designed to motivate budding women researchers along with established ones to take up research and development tasks. It promotes them to lead these sectors of engineering and science from the front-end.
The plan aims at enabling women researchers in full-time service in research and academic institutions to escalate development and research. It supports research processes in two ways: SERB – POWER Research Grants and SERB – POWER Fellowship. The Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB) is a branch of the Science and Technology Department.
The SERB – POWER Research Grants facilities financial assistance to the researchers to continue the expansion of research in all courses of Science and Technology. Under the SERB – POWER Fellowship, women with quality performance receive a personal fellowship and an allowance for research for three consecutive years. The Fellowship will grant an additional amount of Rs.15000 monthly beside the regular salary. The research grant will be of Rs 10 lakh per year for three years. Women researchers between the age group of 35-55 years are eligible for the SERB- POWER Fellowship.
The SERB-POWER Research Grants will divide the funds into two groups. One of them will comprise women scientists from IITs, NITs, IISc, IISERs, national laboratories under central government institutions and central varsities. They will receive a maximum amount of 60 lakhs for three years. The second category will be concerned with researchers and scientists from private academics, colleges and state universities. They will receive up to 30lakhs for three years period.
Highlighting the importance of women empowerment in technical areas, Mr Vardhan said that the new Science Technology and Innovative Policy (STIP) 2020 would motivate women scientists. Out of the total researchers across the globe, only 30% are women. Considering India separately, the Minister said the women workforce constitute only 18.6% of the regular research and development activities in the country.
Focusing on the issues which make it difficult for the women scientists to work, the Health and Family Welfare Minister assured to provide special assistance and attention to these women.
Source: NDTV
