Annual Report 2007-2008

Science and Engineering Research Council

The Science and Engineering Research Council (SERC) of the Department is the single largest support system engaged in promoting basic research in interdisciplinary and frontier areas of science and engineering in the country. SERC laid special thrust to nurture scientific activities and promote scientific excellence in the academic sector. The programmes under SERC are carefully selected through the concept of Programme Advisory Committees (PAC) that have played a proactive role in identifying challenging areas of research and supported proposals with well-defined objectives in these areas. SERC has over the years created a chain of research centers of excellence in diverse fields of S&T. This has contributed to augment R&D capabilities at academic institutions and national laboratories. Many of these Centers have advanced research facilities to attract young researchers to continue their research activities.

The Council, met thrice during the period to approve projects in various broad areas of Science and Engineering. In addition, various policy issues were also approved by the council to strengthen the SERC mechanism to address effectively the S&T community by providing them enlarged research opportunities in achieving higher performance.

Some of the policy issues approved by the Council include:

• Mentoring Programme: It targets a large number of researchers whose proposals are rejected by SERC.Since the rejection rate hovers around 40%, this programme would make significant impact in elevating the research base of the country. The Council approved the proposal for a separate budget for mentorship, in principle. An honorarium of Rs. 30,000/- for the entire tenure of the project with suitable travel budget to “Adviser” (Mentor) was approved.
• Performance linked Incentive Grant System: Project Investigator with publication in a SCI journal of impact factor = 10 will be awarded an additional research grant of Rs. 1.5 lakhs per paper during or even after the conclusion of DST supported project.
• Council recommended establishing a DST Institute for Drug Discovery Systems/Repository of Organic compounds or setting up of a National Facility in a relevant DST Institute.
• Enhancement of ‘Contingencies’ in R&D projects to accommodate the Publication charges for papers emanated from DST projects.
• Institution of ‘Raman Chairs’ in celebration of the Nobel Prize winning contributions of Indian Science. The Chairs should be the most valuable among all recognitions in terms of stature, value and emerge as bench mark of national excellence in the international scene.
• In addition to 100% economy air fare through shortest route, visa fees etc., to scientists working in the educational/academic institutions and national R&D laboratories to enable them to participate in the International Conference/workshop, training Programme etc. held abroad, grant of registration fees to Young Scientists.
• The contribution of Indian scientists in scientific Journals at national and global level is being recognisedby the peers and the S&T Academies by few of them getting National & International recognition. Specialefforts were made to identify active scientists, particularly Young ones, and Institutions in remote areas andthey were encouraged by providing research support and Visiting fellowships etc.
  

Indo-Us Centers of Research Excellence In Science and Engineering and
   Indo-Us Research Fellowship For Indian Researchers

A MoU has been signed between SERC, DST and Indo-US Science and Technology Forum (USSTF) for instituting 3 Indo-US Centers of Research Excellence in Science and Engineering and 25 Indo-US Research Fellowship (Figure 2.1).

Figure 2.1: MoU signing ceremony between SERC, DST and USSTF for Indo-US Centers of Research Excellence in Science & Engineering and Indo-US Research Fellowship

Indo-US Centers of Research Excellence in Science and Engineering (Indo-US CRESE) Program is to provide resources to enhance the research capabilities of scientific institutions in India through active collaboration with American scientific institutions. These centers will provide a unique opportunity to Indian scientific institutions to closely collaborate with selected US scientific institutions on research projects of in key emerging areas of science and engineering. The centers will contribute significantly towards the development of new knowledge, and lead to enhancement of the research productivity of scientific institutions.

The Indo-US Research Fellowship Program is for Indian Researchers to introduce scientists and engineers in the early stages of their careers to international collaborative research opportunities, thereby furthering their research capacity and global perspective and forging long-term relationships with scientists, technologists and engineers abroad. These awards will provide an excellent opportunity to young Indian scientists and technologists of all disciplines, under the age of 40 years to interact with the American scientific community and get first hand information of the developments taking place at the international level and acquaint themselves with new scientific research methods or to complete a larger research project.