DST Science, Technology, and Innovation Policy Fellowships
DST Science, Technology, and Innovation Policy Fellowships. A unique opportunity for Indian nationals with the requisite eligibility criteria, there is a call for proposals launched for DST Science, Technology, and Innovation Policy Fellowships. DST Science, Technology, and Innovation Policy Fellowships 2020 for Indian Nationals, check out all of the details on the same below:
This call expires in :
Ministry of Science and Technology
Department of Science and Technology
DST Science, Technology and Innovation Policy Fellowships
Background/ Motivation
Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI) are recognized as playing a significant role
in advancing human, social, and economic development and meeting the aspirations of
people and nations across the world. As a result, understanding STI processes and
exploring ways to strengthen them has evolved as a major vertical of intellectual
activity, evinced by the recent explosion of literature on these topics. At the same time,
significant efforts have been made to link this understanding to better policymaking by
a range of governmental agencies (both in developed and emerging economies) and
inter-governmental organizations.
The Department of Science and Technology (DST) is mandated to develop and deliver
public policy support for the
build and strengthen an institutional mechanism for a robust evidence-driven STI policy
system in India, on the recommendation of the Committee of Experts, the Policy
Research Cell of DST (DST-PRC) established DST-Centers for Policy Research (DSTCPRs) in various academic institutions (IISc Bangalore, IIT Delhi, PU Chandigarh, EDII
Gandhinagar and BBAU Lucknow). These centres are engaged in targeted research in
the number of key areas(Annex I) relevant to the country, train scholars in STI policy
domain, and contribute towards better STI policymaking. In addition to that, to create a
critical mass of policy professional (research scholars as well as practitioners), in 2016,
DST-PRC launched DST-STI-PFP, a flagship policy fellowship program.
DST-STI-PFP provides scientists, engineers and policy enthusiasts with an opportunity to
gain exposure from the close quarters of policymaking and contribute their knowledge
and analytical skills in the STI policy realm. These initiatives started delivering results in
various forms of impactful engagements. During the last few years, the initiatives have
seen expansion in terms of a) a number of fellows involved, b) research footprint/ topics
covered, c) national and international engagement, and d) events and capacity building
initiatives. This resulted in providing knowledge support not just to DST but also to
various S&T policymaking bodies.
DST-STI Fellowship Call 2019:
Recognizing the growing demand and the need to bridge the gap between ‘research’
and ‘practice’ in STI policy, this year’s DST-STI-PFP is proposed in three different
categories with a larger scope and thematic coverage. Also, through this program, it is
expected to create active linkages to relevant government agencies (scientific ministry
and/or line ministries with an S&T component), facilitated by DST and/or the DSTCPRs. The Fellowship program would also provide an opportunity for policy-makers in
various government departments /agencies to draw upon STI policy research expertise
from this pool. Some of the fellows may also be engaged in the process of formulation of a
draft STI Policy (Technology Led Innovation Policy) jointly with O/o PSA, Govt. of India.
Thematic scope of the DST-STI-PFP 2019 may include the following six components:-
1. Policy
2. STI related Data
3. Programmes/Schemes
4. Projects Management
5. Monitoring and Evaluation
6. Impact Assessment of Policy/Programmes
The broad details (not limited to) are as under:-
- R&D ecosystem mapping, monitoring and evaluation, sectoral research performance
and funding pattern analysis, policies and incentives to promote R&D, R&D related
Data analysis - STI mapping and measurement- institutions and clusters, R&D and innovation
indicators, composite indicators, STI scoreboards and indices, data for policy - Industrial R&D, industry-academia interaction, public-private partnership models,
technology transfer, intellectual property rights (IPR), research parks - Innovation studies – mapping, evaluation and impact assessment, drivers of
innovation, innovation ecosystem approach, sectoral innovation, grassroots and frugal
innovation - Technology studies – forecasting, assessment, disruptive technologies, policy
interventions for technology development - Science, technology and society studies – ethics of innovation, technological
change, ethics, regulations, sustainability issues, responsible research and
innovation (RRI) gender balance in STEM and open access. - Science entrepreneurship, high-tech entrepreneurship, technology
commercialization, incentives and regional policies for the startup ecosystem, financial
support system for startup and entrepreneurship. - Technology trade (imports and exports), S&T diaspora studies, international IP
the regime, FDI in R&D, science and innovation diplomacy, internationalization
strategies for Indian technical higher education institutions (THE), public research
organizations (PRO) and technology firms.
The DST-STI fellowship call for 2019 is proposed with the following 3 tracks:-
1. STI-Senior Policy Fellow
2. STI-Postdoctoral Policy Fellow
3. STI-Young Policy Professional
1. STI-Senior Policy Fellow would be someone who has already got at least 3 years
of direct STI policy experience at the postdoctoral level. This track will be a 2-year
fellowship (with a possible extension of one more year, depending upon performance).
The selected candidates will be awarded a fellowship of Rs. 98,000/-(consolidated) per
month and based on the Committee’s decision, an amount up to Rs. 200,000/-will be
granted annually to cover research-related costs, travel and contingency.
Eligibility:
Candidates with a) doctoral degree in science/medicine/engineering/social science (with
a background of STI policy) with a good academic record and b) minimum of 3 years of
direct STI policy experience at the postdoctoral level and are eligible to apply.
Applicants must be capable of doing independent research work and have published at
least 3 research papers in peer-reviewed journals. At the time of application, the applicant’s
age should be below 42 years.
2. STI-Postdoctoral Policy Fellow. This will be a postdoctoral level fellowship; for
candidates who have completed a doctoral degree. This track will be a 2-year fellowship
(with a possible extension of one more year, depending upon performance). The
selected candidates will be awarded a fellowship of Rs. 80,000/-(consolidated) per
month and based on the Committee’s decision, an amount up to Rs. 1,50,000/- will be
granted annually to cover research-related costs, travel and contingency.
Eligibility:
Candidates with a doctoral degree in science/medicine/engineering/social science (with
a background of STI policy) with a good academic record are eligible to apply.
Applicants must be capable of doing independent research work and have published at
least 3 research papers in peer-reviewed journals. At the time of application, applicant’s
age should be below 40 years.
3. STI-Young Policy Professional. This fellowship would be given to candidates who
have completed a master’s level of education. This track will be a 2-year fellowship (with a
possible extension of one more year, depending upon performance). The selected
candidates will be awarded a fellowship of Rs. 44,000/-(consolidated) per month and
based on the Committee’s decision, an amount up to Rs. 100,000/-will be granted
annually to cover research-related costs and contingency.
Eligibility:
Candidates with a master’s degree in science/medicine/engineering/social science (with
a background of STI policy) with a good academic record are eligible to apply.
Candidates with masters in public policy/public administration/data sciences/statistics
(with S&T specialization) are encouraged to apply. At the time of application, the applicant’s
age should be below 30 years.
In all above, age relaxation of 3 (three) years will be given to candidates belonging to
SC/ST/OBC/Physically Challenged & Women candidates.
Application Procedure:
Applicants are required to submit following documents written in English:
– (a) For STI-Senior Policy Fellow and Postdoctoral Fellow, a Project/Research
Proposal is required on an identified STI policy issue, preferably, the issue pertaining to thematic areas of the candidates’ desired DST-CPR and/or a policy research group in an academic/research institution and/or the prospective host S&T agency (proposal must be formulated in consultation with DST-CPR or an identified active policy research group or the prospective host S&T agency). The proposal must include: a) an STI related research title, b) a research objective, c) STI related Policy research background/ questions, d) research methodologies, and e) a research plan, including the evidence-based outcome.
(b) For STI-Young Policy Professionals, a two-page write-up on an identified STI policy issue (in consultation with DST-CPR or an identified active policy research group or the prospective host S&T agency).
– Curriculum Vitae
– Two recommendation letters.- A consent Letter from the prospective advisor/host organization.
Selection Procedure:
The duly constituted selection Committee will shortlist candidates based on their track
record and the relevance, quality, and significance of their proposals/write-ups etc.
Once the Committee finalizes the shortlisting, they will be notified via e-mail. The duly
constituted Selection/Review Committee comprising others scientific departments/
ministries representatives as well eminent policy makers, academicians will select the
fellows based upon a personal interview, and monitor the progress and make further
review of the fellowship programme.
Maximum Number of fellowships for DST-STI Fellowship Call 2019:
STI-Senior Policy Fellow – 3
STI-Postdoctoral Policy Fellow/ Research Associates – 5
STI-Young Policy Professional – 7
The numbers are tentative and can be increased/decreased at the discretion of DST.
The remuneration and terms and conditions will be guided as per applicable rules of
DST/host institute.
Hosting and Placement:
The main objective of DST-STI Fellowship is to build up the cadre of academic STI
policy researchers/professionals in the country, such that these Fellows may actively
contribute in policy making in academia, research organizations, or even in government.
The selected fellows will be hosted at one of the DST-CPRs or identified active policy
research group (based on mutual consent and selection committee’s approval).
Additionally, fellows could also be placed at different S&T agencies and organizations
based on requirement and demand. Such engagements would be facilitated through
DST-CPR at IISc Bangalore with prior approval from DST. Based on the requirement
and decision of the Selection Committee, some Fellows may be placed at Department
of Science & Technology and the O/o. Principal Scientific Advisor to the Govt of India.
UNESCO, New Delhi cluster office has also expressed interest to host/engage with a
fellow at their office under this programme. Identified specific interest areas (as shown
in table below)
It is hoped that over a time, as policymakers realize the importance of such Fellows,
they will be forthcoming to support such Fellows and even host them. In addition to
undertaking research and policy engagement, there will be a set of activities – such as
a seminar series or topical workshops – developed by the DST-CPRs (in consultation
with DST) – that will further add value to the experience gained by Fellows and also
build a community for them.
Application/Proposal:
Applicants are required to submit their application in the prescribed format only through
ONLINE MODE (www.onlinedst.gov.in). The details of the Call may also be available
at DST’s website www.dst.gov.in.
No Need to send the hard copy of the application to DST. Any other information related
to the DST-STI-PFP may be enquired, if needed from: Dr Akhilesh Mishra, Scientist D,
Department of Science and Technology, Technology Bhawan, New Mehrauli Road,
New Delhi-110 016 email: [email protected]. Phone: 011-26590254.
(Applicants may note that R&D related proposals will not be considered. The proposal must be on STI policy-related issues only)
Last Date of Submission: 15th January 2020.
View Notification Below
Editor’s Note: For more such notification, please make sure you are subscribed to the Biotecnika Times Newsletter and that you are also following us on all of our social media platforms like Twitter and Facebook. You can also download our app that is available for free download and is compatible for most phones. And also check out the Podcast we have for free listen on SoundCloud.
