KERALA STATE COUNCIL FOR SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENT

State Higher Research Centres of Excellence in Science Technology Applications (SHRESTA)

SHRESTA is envisaged for nurturing a few Centres of Excellence (CoE) from the State that produce world-class research in the areas of (i) Floods and Droughts (ii) Viral Research (Biotechnology) (iii) Nanotechnology (iv) Climate Change and (v) Robotics & Artificial Intelligence. SHRESTA aims to nurture the mature and nascent CoEs initially for two years and the potential Centres among them will be provided further support for next three years, attaining to a world class level. The Centre of Excellence (CoE) will be supported in phased manner with a grant of Rs. 200 lakh (maximum), over a period of 5 years. The proposed CoEs need to collaborate with National/ International Research Centres/ Universities/ Institutions.The selected Centres will be supported with financial grant to augment and strengthen the research capacity of the Centre including infrastructure at par with world class level in the stipulated areas with a multi-disciplinary and inter-institutional perspective. The overall aim of this programme is to develop Centres of Excellence in the State and facilitate pursuit of high-quality research and development of technologies through substantial investment in the Research Centres/Universities/Institutions and having proven track record and commitment to research. Procedure for Application Proposals will be invited through notification in the website of KSCSTE, once in a year, generally during July-August. The Proposals can be submitted through online only on notification and during the active time. Proposals submitted in any other mode will not be considered and summarily rejected. The Principal Investigator shall along with the proposal submit the Endorsement from the proposed Institution and Collaborating Institutions, Consent letter and necessary Certificates from Investigators, Resumes of PI and Co-I(s) highlighting the research achievements, etc. Features The Centres of Excellence (CoE) will be provided financial grant limiting to Rs.200 lakh which will be spread on a span of 5 years in 2 phases. The CoEs will be initially selected for Phase I support for 2 years with maximum financial grant up to 60 lakh. Based on their performance and deliverables achieved in Phase I, a subset of CoEs which show clear promise of becoming world-class Centre will be selected for Phase II support for 3 more years, with maximum financial grant up to 140 lakh. Selection of CoEs is done by the Programme Advisory Committee (PAC) after review of proposals by National level Subject Experts followed by critical evaluation by the PAC. The Head of the Institution will be in-charge of the CoE and responsible for the overall management of the Centre. The scheme encourages collaboration with National/ International Research Centres/ Universities/ Institutions. The Centers can get the privilege of collaborative research support from other Agencies by using this as matching grant. Eligibility Research Centres/R&D Institutions under Govt. of Kerala, Science/Engineering Departments of State Universities and Government Colleges in Kerala, having reputed standing and ranking and proven track record in research are eligible to apply under this scheme. Preference will be given to the R&D Centres of KSCSTE. The scheme encourages to collaborate with National/ International Research Centres/ Universities/ Institutions and the proposal shall include the details with the consent from such collaborating institutions. The Principal Investigator (PI) shall be the Head of the Institution/Centre/Dean in the case of University Departments, and he/she shall be a full time Faculty/Scientist having Doctoral Degree in Science/ Engineering. The PI shall have sufficient experience in administering and managing the Research Centres/Institutions, shall have carried out National/ International Research Projects and have at least 15 years of experience in carrying out Research activities/PG teaching. In case, the PI leaves the Institution due to unforeseen reasons, on transfer or superannuation or other reasons, the responsibility will be automatically transferred to the succeeding Head of the Institution until successful completion of the programme. There can be more than one Co-Investigator depending up on the multidisciplinary nature of the research, and the first Co-Investigator shall be from the same Institute or Department. The Co-Investigators (Co-Is) shall be full time Faculty/Scientist of the Centre/ University/ Institution with more than 3 years of service to retire. The first Co-Investigator shall have the same responsibility and accountability as that of the Principal Investigator. In case the first Co-I leaves the organisation before the successful completion of the programme, the Institute shall take up the responsibility to assign another suitable faculty as the first Co-I in consultation with KSCSTE, to continue with the programme until its successful completion. All the Co-Is shall have at least 3 years of experience in teaching/research activities. In the case of Centres carrying out multidisciplinary research, the collaboration of State/National/International level Centres is preferred. In such case, there can be more Co-Is for the project in the area of specialisation depending upon the interdisciplinary nature of the research area. The project team shall comprise of PI, Co-Is and Researcher Scholars. The Researchers may be registered full-time students for PhD or Post-Doctoral. Contact The Director KSCSTE Sasthra Bhavan, Pattom, Thiruvananthapuram Tel : 0471 2548200 –209 Email: mail.kscste@kerala.gov.in Scientist – in – Charge Dr. Siju C R Junior Scientist KSCSTE, Sasthra Bhavan, Pattom, Thiruvananthapuram Tel: 0471–2548236 E-mail: sijucrkscste@gmail.com Downloads Guidelines Format for Quarterly Progress Report Terms and Conditions Format for Annual Progress Report Endorsement from Host Institution Format for Statement of Expenditure Certificate from the Investigators Format for Utilization Certificate Format for no pending SE & UC Request for Re-appropriation Date of Start Intimation Form Request for Extension Format for Project Completion Report Format for  Final Technical Report Format of Asset Transfer Certificate

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Sastraposhini

Introduction Sastraposhini is a programme envisaged by Kerala State Council for Science, Technology and Environment (KSCSTE) for strengthening science education in schools of Kerala. Under the programme, model science laboratories are established in selected Government high schools of the State to provide a better learning environment. The programme was launched by KSCSTE in association with the Department of Education, Government of Kerala in the year 2003. So far, KSCSTE has successfully established more than 200 science laboratories throughout Kerala. Presently, KSCSTE has decided to implement the scheme only in government high schools of Kerala. Procedure for Application Proposals in the prescribed format is generally invited in the month of July every year through advertisement in KSCSTE website and dailies. Features A total of Rs.8 lakhs is spent to establish Sastraposhini laboratories (Physics, Chemistry and Biology) in one school with a fair share from KSCSTE. Training will be provided to selected teachers from Sastraposhini schools by eminent scholars/ academicians from different disciplines. Eligibility Only government high schools in the State with sufficient facility (three rooms to establish Physics, Chemistry, Biology laboratories), qualified faculty in science are eligible. Contact Scientist-in-charge (Sastraposhini Scheme) Kerala State Council for Science, Technology and Environment, Sasthra Bhavan, Pattom, Thiruvananthapuram – 4 Tel No. 0471-2548250 E-mail: esanil.kscste@kerala.gov.in, sasthrabodhini2011@gmail.com Downloads New Applicants Notification Guidelines Application form Brochure How to utilize the refurbishing grant Documents to be submitted On Tentative Sanction of Project Undertaking On completion of the project Project Completion Certificate Certificate stating the receipt of all laboratory items as per the list sanctioned by KSCSTE  Statement of Expenditure & Utilization Certificate Copies of photographs of each laboratory (interior and exterior including name boards)

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Selective Augmentation of Research and Development (SARD)

Introduction The scheme is intended to augment basic infrastructure facilities for promoting R&D activities in the University Departments, Colleges and R & D institutions in Kerala. SARD envisages modernization of laboratories by way of acquisition of essential equipment and the upgrading of existing facilities for promoting research. The facilities provided are intended to support the efforts of the Department as a whole and not for individual R&D support. The support will be considered for the ‘Science Department / Centre’ as a unit with a coordinator to carryout research projects. The selection of the proposal is through a peer-review mechanism. An expert committee evaluates the viability of the scheme based on the report of the reviewers Procedure for Application Applications are invited through advertisement every year. Features Rs. 40 lakhs for a period of 3 years, mainly for the equipment and its maintenance support. The duration of support for will be for a period not exceeding 3 years. Eligibility The coordinator should have a doctorate degree and be a permanent faculty of Science (including Medical & Agriculture) or Engineering Departments/ Centres in the Kerala State. The departments should have postgraduate teaching & research programs and minimum 3 permanent faculty members possessing Ph.D. degree. The coordinator should have minimum 3 years of experience in the current institute and 5 or more years left for retirement. Self-financing colleges / institutes are entitled to a maximum of 50% of the outlay. Contact The Head Basic Science Division Kerala State Council for Science, Technology and Environment (KSCSTE) Sasthra Bhavan, Pattom, Thiruvananthapuram – 695 004 Tel: +91 471 2548360/314 E-mail: bsd.kscste@kerala.gov.in Downloads Guidelines Terms and Conditions Format for Statement of Expenditure & Utilization Certificate Format for Reports/Annual Report Application Form

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