National Science Chair- Scientific Excellence

National Science Chair – Scientific Excellence

The National Science Chair (NSC) initiative aims to honor distinguished senior scientists from India who have made remarkable contributions to the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics (STEM), and Medicine. This scheme promotes continued excellence and advancement in research and development (R&D) across the nation.

Overview of the Scheme

The National Science Chair is a prestigious program supported by the Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB) to recognize eminent senior resident Indian scientists. Despite the limited availability of professorships funded by various ministries and departments, the SERB has established this scheme to ensure that the invaluable expertise of senior scientists is utilized effectively. The initiative seeks to prevent the loss of knowledge that occurs when such expertise is overlooked due to age.

Modes of Recognition

Under the National Science Chair, there are two modes of recognition:

• Scientific Excellence: This mode acknowledges senior scientists who have made significant contributions to research, as demonstrated through various S&T output indicators such as publications, patents, technology transfers, and policy impacts. The aim is to enable these distinguished scientists to continue their research endeavors.

Goals of the Scheme

The primary objective of the National Science Chair is to sustain and support the research activities of eminent superannuated scientists who are passionately engaged in R&D, as evidenced by their scientific output.

Advisory Committee

The National Science Chair Advisory Committee (NSCAC) has been established to oversee the program’s implementation, recommend awardees, review their progress, and ensure the overall quality and relevance of R&D activities in alignment with the scheme’s goals.

Available Positions

The scheme has a cap of thirty (30) positions available for awardees.

Tenure and Commencement

The initial award period is three years, with the possibility of a two-year extension based on NSCAC recommendations. Awardees must join within six months of receiving their offer letter.

Financial Benefits

The awarded scientists will receive considerable financial support, which includes:

• A monthly fellowship of ₹1.5 lakhs.
• An annual research grant of ₹25 lakhs.
• ₹1 lakh per annum allocated for overhead expenses to the host institution.

Note: The grant can be utilized for manpower, equipment, travel (including international), and various contingencies in accordance with the norms of the host institution. Any items purchased with the grant will belong to the host institution post-tenure, although specific items may be retained by the awardee as per government regulations.

Eligibility Criteria

To qualify for nomination, applicants must meet the following criteria:

• Must be an active resident Indian scientist or academician with a substantial research record in STEM and medicine, particularly within the last five years.
• Must have received recognition from national or international scientific organizations, such as fellowships in prestigious academies or significant S&T awards.
• Must be affiliated with an academic institution or R&D lab, and have approval from a prospective host institution.
• Should not hold any administrative roles or receive any other honorarium, fellowship, or salary from another organization at the time of the NSC award initiation.

The NSCAC will evaluate nominees based on their research track record, the quality of their proposed research plan, and their capacity to mentor young researchers and advance S&T talent in India.

Application Procedure

Interested candidates must follow these steps to apply:

1. Online Application: The nomination process is not periodic and will occur based on annual vacancies.
2. Nomination Submission: Proposals will be solicited from current and former Presidents of national science academies, Directors of premier institutes such as IISc, IISERs, IITs, NITs, National Laboratories, Vice-Chancellors of Universities, and members of various scientific councils and governing bodies.
3. Research Proposal: Complete nominations must include a detailed research proposal (5-6 pages) outlining the intended work and must be submitted online at www.serbonline.in when calls for nominations are announced.

Steps for Online Registration

1. The nominee must register on the SERB online portal. Click here to register.
2. Upon logging in, fill in the mandatory fields in the User Profile section, including photo, institution, and address.
3. Under Form Submission, select the scheme: National Science Chair, and complete the nomination form with the necessary nominee details and qualifications.