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COUNCIL OF
SCIENTIFIC AND INDUSTRIAL RESEARCH (CSIR) |
1. Introduction
The major functions of CSIR include promotion, guidance and coordination of scientific and industrial research in India; establishment or development of and assistance to existing special institutions or departments for scientific study of problems affecting particular industries and trades; award of fellowship; utilization of Council’s R&D results for industrial development; collection and dissemination of S&T information; and technology generation, absorption and transfer.
The Human Resource Development (HRD) Group of Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR) has a mandate to develop and nurture S&T manpower at the national level. It also promotes, guides and co-ordinates scientific & industrial research through research grants to Scientists/Professors working in Universities/R&D Institutes of Higher learning.
1. Research Schemes
2. Sponsored Schemes
3. Emeritus Scientist Scheme
4. Research Fellowships/Associateships
5. Other Science and Technology Promotion Programmes
1I.1 Research Schemes
Objective(s)
· To promote research work in the field of S&T including agriculture, engineering and medicine. Multi-disciplinary projects which involve inter-organisational cooperation (including that of CSIR Laboratories) are also considered. Preference is given to schemes which have relevance to research programmes of CSIR laboratories.
Professors/Scientists and other experts in regular employment in Universities, IITs, Post Graduate Institutions, Colleges, recognized R&D laboratories etc.
The proposal in the prescribed format can be submitted any time during the year.
Science and Technology including agriculture, engineering and medicine.
Fellowships, contingencies and equipment.
International travel, furniture/office equipment.
The Governing Body of CSIR is the Apex Body to consider the research proposals. The proposals received by CSIR are sent to a number of referees and the concerned CSIR laboratories for evaluation and comments. These are further evaluated by the respective research committees. A number of discipline-wise research committees have been constituted by CSIR for this purpose. The research committees submit the proposals with its recommendation to the Governing Body for taking a final decision on the project. The research committees usually meet twice in a year.
The PI is required to submit annually comprehensive report on prescribed proforma for renewal of the project to next year.
These reports are evaluated by the respective Research Committees. Projects are also monitored through presentation by PI in monitoring sessions.
Ten copies of the Project Completion Report (PCR) are required to be submitted. The PCR is evaluated by experts identified by Research Committees. Where necessary, patenting of the results, is taken care of by CSIR.
II.2 Sponsored Schemes
Objective(s)
· The Directors of CSIR laboratories may invite applications for research grants in specific areas of interest to their respective laboratories. They will forward these to the CSIR HRD Group. The scheme enables the CSIR laboratories to interact with university system, so that the CSIR laboratory can take the help of the faculty there to undertake part of the work of its core programme, for which it either does not have the time and or expertise.
Professors/Scientists and other experts in regular employment in Universities, IITs, Post Graduate Institutions, Colleges, recognized R&D laboratories etc.
The proposal in the prescribed format can be submitted any time during the year.
Science and Technology including agriculture, engineering and medicine.
Fellowships, contingencies & equipment.
International travel, furniture/office equipment.
VIII. Mechanism of Implementation & monitoring
The Governing Body of CSIR is the Apex Body to consider the research proposals. The proposals received by CSIR are sent to a number of referees and the concerned CSIR laboratories for evaluation and comments. These are further evaluated by the respective research committees. A number of discipline-wise research committees have been constituted by CSIR for this purpose. The research committees submit the proposal with its recommendation to the Governing Body for taking a final decision on the project. The research committees usually meet twice in a year.
II.3 Emeritus Scientist Scheme
Objective(s)
· To provide support to superannuated outstanding scientists to pursue research in their respective field of specialization and having relevance to the programmes of CSIR.
A scientist who has been actively engaged in scientific research during the preceding five years of superannuation.
The proposal in the prescribed format can be submitted any time during the year.
Science and Technology including agriculture, engineering and medicine.
VI. Components of grant
Scientist allowance, fellowship and contingency.
Furniture/Office equipment.
The proposals received by CSIR are sent to a number of referees and the concerned CSIR laboratories for evaluation and comments. These are further considered by the Standing Committee constituted for this purpose. The Standing Committee usually meets twice in a year.
The PI is required to submit annually, comprehensive report on prescribed proforma to the Standing Committee for renewal of the project for the next year. The detailed progress report is reviewed twice, once after about two and half years to decide on extension beyond initial three years and finally before termination. Ten copies of the PCR are required to be submitted.
II.4 Research Fellowships/Associateships
Objective(s)
· Junior Research Fellowships (JRF) provides opportunities to bright young men and women through an all India examination, for research and training under experienced researchers/investigators of repute in the various fields of science. The selected research scholars are appointed initially as Junior Research Fellows for a period of two years and subject to satisfactory performance on assessment at the end of this period, they can be given higher stipend for the remaining period in the form of Senior Research Fellowship.
· The Council has also a Scheme for the award of Senior Research Fellowship [SRF/Associateship (RA)] to encourage young research workers having good quality published work to their credit to pursue research work in science, engineering, technology, and medicine on specific research programmes.
JRF – Candidate upto the age of 28 years with qualification M.Sc with 55% marks.
Candidate upto the age of 28 years with qualification BE/B.Tech/B.Arch/ B.Pharm/ ME/M.Tech (last semester) with valid GATE score.
SRF - Candidate upto the age of 32 years with qualification M.Sc/BE/B.Tech or equivalent with 60% marks and with at least two years research experience or with qualification M.Pharma/M.VSc with one year experience; or MBBS/BDS with one year internship; or B.Pharma/B.VSc with 3 years experience or ME/M.Tech or equivalent degree.
SRF-(Ext) Candidate upto the age of 33 years who has submitted his Ph.D thesis but degree is yet to be awarded.
RA - Ph.D/MD/MS/MDS or equivalent or M.V.Sc/M.Pharma/M.E./M.Tech with three years research experience. Age limit 35 years.
Age in all cases relaxable by five years for SC/ST, OBC. Women and physically handicapped candidates.
The application in the prescribed format can be submitted against advertisement.
Science and Technology including agriculture, engineering and medicine.
Fellowships and contingencies.
International travel, furniture, stationery.
The selection for award of JRF is made on the basis of a competitive written test called National Eligibility Test (NET) organized jointly by CSIR and UGC. NET qualified candidates are awarded fellowships.
Selection of SRF/RA is made through assessment of academic record and published/project work by discipline wise Experts Committees.
JRF/SRF/RA are required to submit annual progress report and the progress of work are assessed by the Expert/Assessment Committee.
PCR is to be submitted in the prescribed proforma on completion/termination of fellowships.
Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Fellowship
Objective(s)
· The objective of the SPM fellowship is to nurture budding scientific talent towards pursuit of scientific research.
The scheme is open to top 20 per cent CSIR/UGC JRF, NET Scholars along with top 100 GATE qualified candidates with percentile 99 and above.
Once a year examination on 2nd Sunday of July every year.
Basic sciences (5 fellowships each in Life Sciences, Chemical Sciences, Earth Sciences, Physical Sciences & Mathematical Sciences).
Fellowships and contingencies.
International travel, Furniture, stationery.
The scheme is open to top 20% CSIR-UGC JRF-NET scholars and top 100 GATE qualified candidates with percentile 99 and above, who have to qualify a specially designed written test followed by an interview.
Senior Research Associateship
Through this scheme, highly qualified Indian scientists, engineers, technologists and medical personnel returning from foreign countries, who are not holding any employment in India are provided temporary placement. Person who have not been abroad and possess outstanding academic record and
have not been able to secure regular employment are also eligible.
III. Who can submit a proposal
Ph.D, M.Tech, MD/MS with two years research/teaching experience and publication(s).
IV. When and how to submit a proposal
The application in the prescribed format can be submitted any time of the year.
V. Areas of research support
Science and Technology including agriculture, engineering and medicine.
VI. Components of grant
Fellowship and allowances.
VII. Items not allowed out of grant
International travel, furniture, stationery.
VIII. Mechanism of implementation and monitoring
These appointments are for a period three years only. Selections are made by a Special Recruitment Board constituted for this purpose, on the basis of documents submitted and personal interview.
SRA are required to submit annual progress report and the progress of work are assessed by the Expert/Assessment Committees.
PCR is to be submitted in the prescribed proforma on completion/termination of fellowship.
Recognition of Excellence
Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize
Over the years, SSB Prize has become the most coveted National recognition for scientists and engineers. The Prize is given to outstanding scientists in seven disciplines of science and technology. It is open to any Indian citizen below 45 years of age with proven R&D track record of achieving excellence in S&T.
CSIR Young Scientist Award
This award is meant for CSIR scientists below the age of 35 years for outstanding work done in the country. The YSA is given in five disciplines of science & technology.
II.5 Other Science and Technology Promotion Programmes
1) CSIR Programme on Youth Leadership in Science
The CPYLS is a unique ‘hand holding’ programme for school children at secondary level. The objective of the scheme is to attract the meritorious young school children towards science. The top 100 science students of CBSE, ICSE and State Boards in Class X examination are contacted by the CSIR laboratories. A traveling allowance to visit the CSIR laboratory and facilities to carry out project work at the CSIR laboratory is provided. This scheme is tenable till graduation.
2) CSIR Diamond Jubilee Research Interns Award Scheme
The CSIR Diamond Jubilee Research Interns Awards Scheme is a preparative scheme through which young interns are being trained for two years in the tools and techniques of research under supervision of experienced CSIR scientists. A student who is a 1st Class BE/B.Tech/B.Arch/B.Pharma/M.Sc/MBBS is eligible. The age limit is 25 years. Applications to be made against advertisement of the concerned CSIR laboratory.
3) Visiting Associateship Scheme
The scheme enables guest scientists from outside CSIR laboratories to make use of advanced R&D facilities available in the CSIR setup. Under this programme the scientist is provided to and fro traveling expenses and daily allowance at CSIR rates for a period of maximum 60 days for two visits in a year. The associateship is tenable for 3 years. Selection is made on the basis of recommendation of the Director of the concerned CSIR laboratory.
4) Partial Financial Assistance for holding National/International Conferences/ Symposium/Seminar/Workshops in India
The CSIR has a scheme for providing partial financial assistance to scientific Societies/Institutions/University departments for organizing National/International Conferences/ Symposia/ Seminars/ Workshops etc., in India. The applications, on prescribed format, should be submitted to HRDG/CSIR preferably at least three months before the event. Bonafide Indian registered Scientific Societies/Associations of scientists & engineers and Academic Institutions are eligible to apply for financial assistance. An expert Committee, constituted for the purpose by DG, CSIR, examines each proposal and recommends quantum of grant for each event.
5) Partial Travel Grants to Research Scholars
The HRDG, CSIR has a scheme of providing partial foreign travel grants to research scholars (not in regular employment), whose papers are accepted for oral or poster presentation at the International Conference abroad on recommendations of the Expert Committee. For this HRDG, CSIR receives applications on prescribed format at least three months before the event.
6) Entrepreneurship Support to Research Scholars
This programme is for Research Scholars working in CSIR laboratories. The objective of this programme
is to broad base the perspective of the research scholars so that they can make linkages of their scientific and technical knowledge to the buoyant world of business and industry.
7) Faculty Training Programme and Adoption of Schools and Colleges by CSIR Laboratories
The objective of this scheme is to refurbish and enlarge upon the knowledge and skill base of science teachers from selected school and colleges in emerging areas so as to raise the level of the quality of science education in the country by providing facilities to students to do project work in CSIR laboratories and also by periodically conducting special lectures by experts on the topics of current interest.