SERB POWER Fellowship
Are you a woman scientist looking for a prestigious funding opportunity in India? The SERB POWER Fellowship offers an exceptional platform to support innovative research ideas and empower women in science. This highly competitive Grant for Women Researchers is designed to boost independent R&D careers and create a strong opportunity for life science graduates to excel in cutting-edge scientific domains.
About SERB
The Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB) is a statutory body under the Department of Science and Technology, Government of India. It promotes basic research in science and engineering and offers schemes like the SERB POWER Fellowship to strengthen the research ecosystem. SERB provides an outstanding opportunity for life science graduates to pursue innovative and impactful research careers.
Overview
The SERB – POWER (Promoting Opportunities for Women in Exploratory Research) Research Grants scheme is designed to support and empower women researchers in India. It provides competitive, individual-centric funding to enable high-quality research and development in frontier areas of science and engineering.
Objective
The scheme aims to encourage both emerging and established women researchers by offering financial support to undertake innovative and impactful R&D activities.
Eligibility Criteria
- The Principal Investigator (PI) and Co-Principal Investigator(s) (Co-PI(s)) must be Indian citizens.
- Applicants must hold a regular academic or research position in:
- Recognized academic institutions
- National laboratories
- Recognized R&D institutions in India
- Institution Categories:
- Level I: IITs, IISERs, IISc, NITs, Central Universities, and Central Government National Labs
- Level II: State Universities, Colleges, and Private Academic Institutions
- A female Co-PI from the same institute is mandatory.
- Male Co-PIs are not permitted under this scheme.
- A PhD guide cannot serve as Co-PI.
- The number of Co-PIs is limited to a maximum of two per project.
Ineligibility Conditions:
- Researchers who have already received a POWER Grant
- JC Bose Fellows
- PIs who have completed two Core Research Grants (CRG)
Budget Constraint:
- Equipment budget capped at ₹14 lakh for Tier II institutions (within ₹30 lakh total limit)
Nature and Duration of Support
The POWER Grants are offered under two categories:
- Level I:
- Funding up to ₹60 lakh
- Duration: 3 years
- Level II:
- Funding up to ₹30 lakh
- Duration: 3 years
Funding Coverage Includes:
- Equipment
- Manpower
- Consumables
- Travel
- Contingency
- Institutional overheads (as per SERB norms)
The grant operates in alignment with SERB Core Research Grant (CRG) guidelines.
Application and Selection Process
- Applications must be submitted through the SERB Core Research Grant (CRG) platform.
- Proposals are accepted in direct submission mode only.
- Evaluation is conducted by the Program Advisory Committee (PAC).
- Shortlisted applicants may be invited for a presentation or discussion, if required.
Program Administration
- Program Name: SERB – POWER Research Grants
- Program Coordinator: Dr. Shashi Bhushan Pandey (Scientist G)
- Program Officer: Dr. Monika Agarwal (Scientist F)
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