SERB SCIENCE AND TECHNOLGY AWARD FOR RESEARCH (SERB-STAR)

SERB Science and Technology Award for Research (SERB-STAR) is a prestigious award instituted by SERB to recognize and reward outstanding performance of Principal Investigators (PIs) of SERB Projects. SERB has been supporting basic research in frontier areas of science and engineering through its various programs and schemes. The number of researchers under the ambit of SERB has increased over the years and they contribute significantly towards the progress of science and engineering in the country through their research endeavour. SERB-STAR is an initiative to acknowledge exemplary contributions in research and also to motivate the PIs of ongoing projects for outstanding performance.


Eligibility
  • The nominee should have completed individual-centric SERB project in previous three financial years with "Excellent" grading. Only the PI of such projects and not the Co-PIs shall be eligible.
  • The applicant must hold a regular academic/research position in a recognized academic institution or national laboratories or any other recognized R&D institutions.
    [The term "Regular" refers to:
    (1) Those who are appointed by the institutions against the 'sanctioned' post. Such positions are regularized/confirmed after the probation period is over.
    (2) Those who are appointed in a tenure post but are likely to be renewed after the end of the tenure].
  • The age of the nominee should be within 40 to 50 years as on December 31 of the year in which the call is made.
  • PIs who have an ongoing fellowship/honorarium such as JC Bose Fellowship, ShantiSwarup Bhatnagar Prize, Swarnajayanti Fellowship, etc. are not eligible.
  • Individuals who are nominated for SERB STAR but are unsuccessful can be renominated for consideration in the following year subject to fulfilling other eligibility criteria.
Nature of support
  • Fellowship of Rs 15,000/- per month, research grant of Rs. 10 lakh per annum and Rs 1 lakh per annum as overhead charges for a period of three years.
  • Up-to 30 awards per year and not more than 90 at any time.
Selection & mode of application
  • The application would be by nomination which must be submitted online through the website  www.serbonline.in
  • Call for nomination would be made once in a year.
  • Nomination shall be made by the Head of the Institution of the nominee.
  • At Stage 1 - Preliminary Scrutiny, verification of eligibility criteria including "Excellent" grading will be carried out by SERB. Only those nominations found eligible, would be considered for Stage 2 - Award Selection Process.
  • The selection by a competent committee will be based on performance of completed projects and other research work would carry a top up weightage.
Scientific Social Responsibility

SERB has adopted Scientific Social Responsibility (SSR) Policy to imbibe a culture of social commitment among SERB Grantees. The policy intends to effectively utilize scientific infrastructure and expertise of SERB grantees to benefit other S&T stakeholders especially the less-endowed researchers and the society. SERB Grantees need to undertake some SSR activities during their project period. SSR activities need to be chosen during submission process. Depending on the activities chosen additional budget would be provided under separate head to carry out the chosen activities.

Instructions for online submission

For successful online submission of the application the following points may be noted:

  • PI need to register in SERB online portal  click here to register.
  • After log-in, PI need to fill all the mandatory fields in Profile Details section under User Profile which includes Bio data, Photo, Institution Address, etc.
  • Under 'Form Submission', choose Scheme: STAR, and fill the STAR nomination form which includes details of completed project, other scientific contribution, nominator details, etc.
  • After filling the details, PI should send STAR nomination form to Nominator.
  • Nominator would receive intimation via email with a link to SERB online portal, to view the filled-in STAR Nomination form.
  • Nominator has to submit the nomination to SERB.
  • Once submitted, PI and Nominator will receive intimation regarding successful submission.
Documents required (in PDF format)
  • Documents required (in PDF) should be in prescribed format:
    1. Project completion report (PCR).
    2. List of publications resulting from the completed project (if any).
    3. Reprints of publications (if applicable).
    4. Details of patents from the completed project (if any).
    5. Patent documents (if applicable).
    6. Documents related to technology transfer (if any).
    7. List of complete publications, patents and any other significant contribution.
    8. Certificate from PI Download Template
    9. Endorsement certificate Download Template
    10. Technical Document Download Template
    11. Plagiarism undertaking Download Template

    Frequently asked questions

    Q1: Who is eligible for STAR Award?

    A1: Principal Investigator (PI) with a completed SERB project (in the last three financial years) with "Excellent" grading, is eligible for the award. PI must be in regular service, within 40-50 years of age as on December 31 of the year of call. PI should not have any ongoing fellowship/honorarium such as JC Bose Fellowship, Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize, Swarnajayanti Fellowship, etc.

     

    Q2: How often the awards will be granted?

    A2: Call for nominations would be made and awards would be granted once in a year.

     

    Q3: Is there any age limit for PI to be eligible for the award?

    A3: PI should be within 40 to 50 years as on December 31 of the year in which call is made.

     

    Q4: am already implementing another project under CRG. Am I eligible for STAR?

    A4: Yes. STAR is an award of recognition and can be concurrently held with other SERB projects.

     

    Q5: How is the "Excellent" grading of project determined?

    A5: The Project Completion Report (PCR) of completed project are evaluated by concerned Programme Advisory Committee (PAC), and the performance are graded based on quality of research work done in the project, its impact, publications, patents, research personnel generated, etc.

     

    Q6: I have not sent PCR, but my output in my project is excellent. Can I be considered for the award?

    A6:No. It is essential to send the PCR of the completed project for evaluation by the concerned PAC.

     

    Q7: I have forgotten to acknowledge SERB in many of my publications, but I have large number of publications from the project. Will I be considered for the award?

    A7: Only publications in which SERB grant is acknowledged will be taken into account as project output.

     

    Q8: Will all the PIs whose projects are rated excellent receive award under STAR Scheme?

    A8: No. The PIs of excellent rated projects should also fulfill other eligibility criteria. The selection committee would choose the awardees based on performance of the completed project and other research work. Up to 30 STAR awards would be granted per year.

     

    Q9: My project has been rated excellent, and I fulfill all other eligibility criteria. How should I apply for the STAR Award?

    A9: The PI cannot apply directly for the award. Entry would be by nomination by the Head of the Institution.

     

    Q10: I have completed an EMR project 5 years ago, and it was rated "Excellent". Will I be considered for the award?

    A10: No. Only projects which have been completed in previous three financial years will be considered.

     

    Q11: I completed EMR project in the year 2016-17 and my project was rated Excellent. I was considered for Distinguished Investigator Award but was unsuccessful. Can I be considered for STAR?

    A11:Yes, subject to fulfilling other eligibility criteria, the nomination would be considered.