Skip to content
Central Government Scheme Ministry Of Science And Technology

National Science Chair- Scientific Excellence

The main aim of the scheme is to recognize active eminent senior resident Indian superannuated scientists for their outstanding contributions both nationally and internationally, in the areas of Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics (STEM) & Medicine, to promote excellence and growth in R&D.

Ministry / Dept.
Ministry Of Science And Technology
Scheme Level
Central
Applicable In
All India (Central Scheme)
Category
Science, IT & Communications
How to Apply
Online

About the National Science Chair- Scientific Excellence Scheme

There are a few chairs/professorships available in the country instituted by various ministries/departments/ academies with public funds. Considering the limited number of such opportunities, the Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB) has been catering to one such scheme - National Science Chair: Scientific Excellence & Science Leadership. The main aim of the scheme is to recognize active eminent senior resident Indian superannuated scientists for their outstanding contributions both nationally and internationally, in the areas of Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics (STEM), and Medicine, to promote excellence and growth in R&D.

Mode-1: Scientific Excellence:

The performing senior scientists who have made outstanding contributions to research, as evidenced by S&T output indicators (i.e. publications, patents, technology transfer, software development or an impact on policy) and wish to continue their work in R&D will be recognized through this mode. SERB recognizes the need for utilizing the expertise of exceptionally meritorious senior scientists. Non-utilization of their expertise, in one sense, is a national loss and age should not be the criterion for performing scientists.

> Objective:

To extend continuance of support for excellence in R&D activities of eminent senior superannuated scientists who are passionate in research as evidenced by the S&T output.

> Advisory Committee:

A committee referred to as the National Science Chair Advisory Committee (NSCAC) has been constituted to oversee the development of the Chairs, make recommendations for the selection of the awardees, review their progress /extension, undertake assigned activities to ensure promotion, relevance, and quality of R&D, as well as to meet the goal of the awards.

> Number of Positions:

  • The maximum number of positions is restricted to thirty (30).

> Tenure and Commencement:

  • The award will be given initially for a period of 3 years and is extendable for a maximum of another two years, subject to the recommendations of the NSCAC.
  • Selected Chairs will have to join within a period of six months from the date of issue of the offer letter.

Benefits

  1. An amount of ₹1.5 lakhs per month will be given to the awardee as a fellowship.
  2. The Research Grant in this case will be ₹25 lakhs per annum.
  3. For overhead expenses, ₹1.0 lakh per annum will be given to the host institution.

Note: The grant shall be used for manpower, equipment, travel (including international), contingency, etc. It needs to be utilized as per the norms of the Host Institute. Items purchased out of the contingency grant will be the property of the Host Institute after the completion of tenure. However, in certain listed items, their retention by the awardee will be decided in accordance with the existing government rules and regulations on the subject.

Eligibility Criteria

> Eligibility for nomination:

  1. The nominee should be an active resident Indian scientist/academician, with an outstanding research track record in any one or more areas of STEM and medicine, particularly during the last five years.
  2. The nominee must have received recognition for his/her work from national/international scientific bodies such as fellowship in prestigious academies and S&T awards.
  3. The nominee could be affiliated with an academic institutions/R&D lab or should have consent on the subject from the future host institution.

Note: The nominee should not hold any administrative roles and functions and is not in receipt of any honorarium/fellowship/salary from any other institute or organization at the time of initiation of the NSC award if offered by SERB.

> Assessment Criteria: The assessment criteria for the selection of the awardee will be decided by NSCAC and it will be generally based on the following considerations:

  1. Outstanding research track record of the nominee and international standing in the field.
  2. Quality/originality of proposed research plan.
  3. Ability to mentor young researchers and implement proactive approaches towards the advancement of S&T talent in the country.

How to Apply for National Science Chair- Scientific Excellence

Application mode: Online

> Nomination Procedure:

  • Call for nomination will not be periodic in nature and will be made from time to time subject to vacancies available every year.
  • Proposal in the prescribed form will be invited from the current and former Presidents of any of the national science academies (including Engineering, Agriculture, Medicine, etc.), Directors of premier institutes like IISc, Bangalore, IISERs, IITs, NITs, National Laboratories, etc., Vice-Chancellors of Universities as well as members of Scientific Advisory Councils to the Hon’ble PM & Cabinet and members of governing bodies of Science and Engineering Research Board and Secretaries to Govt. of India in Ministries / Departments.
  • The proposed nomination duly completed in all respects (including the copy of the research proposal in 5-6 pages providing a broad outline/framework of the intended work), signed, and routed through the Head of the Institution wherein a scientist/technologist intends to work or get associated with, should be submitted online at "https://anrfonline.in/ANRF/HomePage" as and when the calls are announced.

> Application Procedure:

Step 01: The nominee needs to register in the SERB online portal.

Step 02: After login, the Nominee needs to fill in all the mandatory fields in the Nominee Details section under User Profile which includes Photo, Institution, Address, etc.

Step 03: Under Form Submission, choose Scheme: National Science Chair, and fill out the National Science Chair nomination form which includes details of the Nominee Details, Qualification Details, Employment Details, Professional Recognition/Fellowship, Scientific Research Index, Publication Details, Patent Details, Upload Documents, Nominator Details and Other Information, etc.

Step 04: Proposed area of research and a brief outline of the proposal of Nominee to be uploaded in a single PDF file not more than 5 pages.

Step 05: After filling in the details, the Nominee should click on "Send to Nominator".

Step 06: Nominators will receive intimation via email with a link to the SERB online portal, to view the filled-in National Science Chair Nomination form.

Step 07: The Nominator can choose to submit the nomination to SERB or resend the form to the Nominee for any revision.

Step 08: Once submitted, Nominee and Nominator will receive an intimation regarding the successful submission.

> Selection Procedure:

  • The proposals will be examined by the NSCAC to ascertain their merit.
  • The recommendations of the Committee will be considered by the SERB to make funding decisions.

<br>

Exclusions

<br>

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the National Science Chair- Scientific Excellence scheme?

There are a few chairs/professorships available in the country instituted by various ministries/departments/ academies with public funds. Considering the limited number of such opportunities, the Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB) has been catering to one such scheme…

Who is eligible for National Science Chair- Scientific Excellence?

&gt; Eligibility for nomination: The nominee should be an active resident Indian scientist/academician, with an outstanding research track record in any one or more areas of STEM and medicine, particularly during the last five years. The nominee must have received recognition for his/her work from…

What benefits does National Science Chair- Scientific Excellence provide?

An amount of ₹1.5 lakhs per month will be given to the awardee as a fellowship. The Research Grant in this case will be ₹25 lakhs per annum. For overhead expenses, ₹1.0 lakh per annum will be given to the host institution. Note: The grant shall be used for manpower, equipment, travel (including int…

How can I apply for National Science Chair- Scientific Excellence?

&gt; Nomination Procedure: Call for nomination will not be periodic in nature and will be made from time to time subject to vacancies available every year. Proposal in the prescribed form will be invited from the current and former Presidents of any of the national science academies (including Engi…

Source: official scheme details published on the Government of India's myScheme portal. Always verify eligibility and deadlines on the official portal before applying. Scheme rules can change.

Related Government Schemes

State Puducherry

"Capital Investment Subsidy: Information Technology (IT) / Information Technology Enabled Services (ITES) Industries" under "Motivation of Entrepreneurs to Start Industries and Fiscal Assistance to Industries"

The new IT/ITES industrial unit which started production on or after 6-11-2002 are provided with subsidy on the investments made on plant and machinery @ 20% thereon subject to a maximum of ₹20,00,000/- for the large, medium, small and micro enterprises during the period of operation of the scheme.

Business & Entrepreneurship Details
Central All India

Abdul Kalam Technology Innovation National Fellowship

Indian National Academy of Engineering (INAE) will award "Abdul Kalam Technology Innovation National Fellowship" to outstanding engineers to recognize, encourage and support translational research by individuals to achieve excellence in engineering, innovation and technology development.

Science, IT & Communications Details
Central All India

AlCTE - Distinguished Professional Scheme

AICTE-Distinguished Professionals Scheme has been launched by the All India Council for Technical Education, Ministry of Education to improve the quality of Technical Education in India by utilizing the expertise of Professionals, Emeritus professors & Eminent Personalities to share their knowledge.

Education & Learning Details
State Uttarakhand

Artificial Intelligence

The scheme aims to promote awareness, understanding, and practical learning of Artificial Intelligence among school students from classes 9 to 12 and provide them with opportunities to participate in AI coding camps and hands-on experiments.

Science, IT & Communications Details
Central All India

ASEAN-India Research Training Fellowship

The “ASEAN-India Research Training Fellowship (AI-RTF)” is a fellowship scheme initiated by the Department of Science & Technology, Government of India under ASEAN-India Science & Technology Development Fund to support young talented researchers/scientists of ASEAN member countries.

Science, IT & Communications Details
Central All India

Assistance to Voluntary Organisations for Promotion of the Official Languages in the Field of Law

The scheme aims to propagate and develop literature in the field of law in Hindi and other regional languages. It provides financial grants to voluntary organisations for publishing legal books, commentaries, and journals.

Public Safety,Law & Justice Details