Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB) a statutory body under the Department of Science and Technology, Government of India has inaugurated an Inter-Ministerial Initiative ‘Accelerate Vigyan (AV) Scheme’ to provide a big push to high-end scientific research and prepare scientific manpower which can venture into research careers and knowledge-based economy.
AV aims to expand the research base in the country, with three broad goals-consolidation/aggregation of all scientific training programs, initiating high-end Orientation Workshops, and creating opportunities for Research Internships.
“Considering the large cohort of young population in the country, in comparison to an extremely small base engaged in Research & Development, 'Accelerate Vigyan' aims to widen the net and reach masses by providing research career support to students through the dedicated capacity building in selected areas/disciplines/fields by the eminent faculties. The program also seeks to garner the social responsibility of the scientific community towards youth in the social responsibility of the scientific community towards youth in the country for furthering the cause of science,” said Dr. Harsh Vardhan Hon'ble Union Minister for Science & Technology & Earth Sciences, while sharing his message on the inauguration of the scheme.
Under the AV scheme, SERB has invited applications from Faculty or Scientists working in Central institutions of higher learning and research such as IITs, IISc, IISER’S, NITs and other institutions/laboratories of eminence like CSIR, ICAR, ICMR, in the country as Event Organizers (EO) for organizing high-end Workshops 'KARYASHALA' and Research Internships ‘VRITIKA’ for the winter season (Dec 2020-Jan 2021) of its ABHYAAS program.
ABHYAAS, a program of AV scheme, is an attempt to boost Research & Development in the country by enabling and grooming potential PG and Ph.D. level students by developing dedicated research skills in selected areas/disciplines/fields through its two components- High-End Workshops 'KARYASHALA’ and Research Internships ‘VRITIKA.’ This will be especially important for those researchers who have limited opportunities to access such learning capacities/ facilities/infrastructure.
Under these programs, a consolidated amount for daily necessary expenses such as TA, stationery, consumables, accommodation, food, and so on for the participating students will be provided by the institute of EOs through SERB funding support.
The applicants are required to register at Accelerate Vigyan web-portal for the submission of applications. For detailed guidelines and further information, the interested EO (Faculty or Scientist) can visit www.acceleratevigyan.gov.in. The last date of submission of applications is 31st August 2020.
SERB also launched another new component, ‘SAYONJIKA’ under AV, as an open-ended program on 01 July 2020 to catalogue the capacity building activities in S&T supported by all government funding agencies in the country.
