National Science Chair

Background

The landscape of Indian science has been expanding at an accelerated pace. It is therefore advisable to match the pace while providing opportunities for growth of senior scientists, even beyond superannuation too. In the absence of these opportunities, eminent academicians and performing senior scientists, at times face challenges to continue research. These scientists possess great amount of knowledge and more importantly the experience that they have accumulated over many years, a non-replaceable treasure that can be lost if avenues are not made available to them.

These elites have an excellent track record as evidenced by their election to the prestigious Science and Engineering Academics as well as high impact publications, patents and recognition. Although, there is currently no systematic data regarding the highly knowledgable retirees productivity all over the world, a survey conducted in 2014 revealed that out of the superannuated medical professors from 20 countries, many continued teaching and more than 40% had published research papers and / or books of repute.

There are a few chairs/professorships available in the country instituited by various ministries / departments/ academies with public funds. Considering the limited number of such opportunities, SERB has been catering to two such schemes - “Distinguished Fellowship (DF)” and “Year of Science Chair Professorship (YoSCP)”. Since the selection criterion and type of awards in YoSCP and DF are somewhat similar, both the schemes have been merged by SERB, to constitute the new scheme National Science Chair (NSC). This has been approved by the SERB.

Purpose

The main aim of the scheme is to recognise active eminent senior resident Indian superannuated scientists for their outstanding contributions both nationally and internationally, in the area of Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics (STEM) and Medicine, to promote excellence and growth in R&D.

Implementation

The NSC will be implemented in two modes. In the first one, the support will be extended to those senior eminent scientists who after superannuation, continue to be active in research but do not possess a formal supporting arrangement. Thus, the need of a mechanism is required to utilize their expertise and let them sustain their efforts in research. The other mode will recognize outstanding superannuated scientists to establish a benchmark for stature, value and eminence in national and international Science & Technology (S&T) communities.

The eminent scientists already on the roll of SERB as DFs and YoSCPs will continue to be supported as per their terms and conditions during their tenure.

Descriptive details of the basic rationale, primary objective and eligibility conditions for nomination for NSCs in Mode-1 and Mode-2 in respect of nominees (with > 65 years and superannuated- also those left with maximum six months period service to reach the age of 65 after the closing date of nomination):

Mode-1: Scientific Excellence

The performing senior scientists who have made outstanding contribution to research, as evidenced by S&T output indicators (i.e. publications, patents, technology transfer, software development or an impact on policy) and wish to continue their work in R&D will be recognized through this mode. SERB recognizes the need for utilizing the expertise of exceptionally meritorious senior scientists. Non-utilization of their expertise, in one sense, is a national loss and age should not be a criteria for performing scientists.

Objective: To extend continuance of support for excellence in R&D activities of eminent senior superannuated scientists who are passionate in research as evidenced by the S&T output.

Eligibility for nomination

• The nominee should be an active resident Indian scientist/academician, with outstanding research track record in any one or more areas of STEM and medicine, partiularly during the last five years.
• The nominee must have received recognition for his/her work from national / international scientific bodies such as fellowship in prestigious academies and S&T awards
• The nominee could be affiliated to an academic institutions / R&D lab or should have consent on the subject from the future host institution.
• The nominee should not currently hold any administrative roles and functions and is not in receipt of any other honorarium/fellowship/salary from any other institute.

Mode-2: Science Leadership

This mode is more to do with recognition for thought leadership made by the awardee during the most active part of professional life and also in the recent period. The nominee will be an active researcher with tangible impact of work carried out and developing an international reputation as a Research & Development leader. This may include mentoring younger colleagues, conducting innovative research, publishing results in SCI journals and assist in policy formulation. The exact nature of work may be any one or a combination of all the aforesaid activities.

Objective: To recognize outstanding contributions made by any of the resident Indian superannuated Scientist towards excellence at the national and the global level.

Eligibility for nomination

• The nominee should be a distinguished resident Indian scientist/ academician in any one or more areas of expertise in STEM and Medicine, particularly during the last 10 years.
• The nominee must be a Science Leader and have recognition for his/her work from national / international scientific bodies such as fellowship in prestigious academies and S&T awards.
• The nominee could be affiliated to an academic institutions / R&D lab or should have consent on the subject from the future host institution.
• The nominee should not currently hold any administrative roles and functions and is not in receipt of any other honorarium/fellowship/salary from any other institute.

Advisory Committee

A committee referred to as National Science Chair Advisory Committee (NSCAC) has been constituited to oversee development of the Chairs, make recommendations for selection of the awardees, review their progress / extention, undertake assigned activities to ensure promotion, relevance and quality of R&D, as well as to meet the goal of the awards.

Nomination and Selection

Proposal in the prescribed form will be invited from the current and former Presidents of any of the national science academies (including Engineering, Agriculture, Medicine, etc.), Directors of premier instituites like IISc, Bangalore, IISERs, IITs, NITs, National Laboratories, etc., Vice-Chancellors of Universities as well as members of Scientific Advisory Councils to the Hon’ble PM & Cabinet and members of governing bodies of Science and Engineering Research Board and Secretaries to Govt. of India in Ministries / Departments.

The proposed nomination duly completed in all respects (including the copy of research proposal in 5-6 pages providing broad outline/framework of the intended work: for Mode-1 only), signed, and routed through the Head of the Institution wherein a scientist/technologist intends to work or get associated with, should be sent to the SERB as and when the calls are announced. The proposals will be examined by the NSCAC to ascertain the merit. The recommendations of the Committee will be considered by the SERB to make funding decisions. Call for nomination will not be periodic in nature and will be made from time to time subject to vacancies available every year.

Number of Positions

The maximum number of Mode-1 positions is restricted to thirty (30), whereas in case of Mode-2, it would be restricted to a total of five (5).

Tenure and Commencement

The award will be given initially for a period of 3 years and is extendable for a maximum of another two years, subject to the recommendations of the NSCAC. Selected Chairs will have to join within a period of six months from the date of issue of the offer letter.

Assessment Criteria

The assessment criteria for selection of awardee will be decided by NSCAC and it will be generally based on the following considerations:

• Outstanding research track record of the nominee and international standing in the field.
• Quality / originality of proposed research plan.
• Ability to mentor young researchers and implement proactive approaches towards advancement of S&T talent in the country.

Obligations / Terms & Conditions

• During tenure, the NSC will operate in affiliation to any recognised research institute / university located in India. All the grants pertaining to the NSC will be released through the Host Institute.
• The Host Institute shall submit audited statement of accounts and utilization certificate to SERB. Release of subsequent grants will be subject to receipt of the necessary financial statements.
• The position for Mode-1 will stand terminated from the date the NSC accepts any other position yielding regular salary/honorarium/fellowship in future. However, the awardee in both Modes-1 & 2 shall be free to seek additional funds for pursuing research from other funding agencies.
• Support by SERB under the NSC Scheme should be acknowledged by the awardee in all publications, patents, etc.
• The intellectual property rights arising out of the research work of the NSC will be governed by the norms of the Host institute.
• The NSC shall furnish a detailed technical report on the work/activities carried out by him/her during the preceding year upto 31st March relevant to scientific direct contribution or promotion of scientific research. Final adjustment/settlement of accounts should be done by the host institute within a period of 60 days of termination of the position.
• These rules and regulations of SERB may be revised or amended as and when found necessary.

Documents needed for Nomination

• A letter of nomination by nominator.
• Nomination Pro Forma (Format) with updated Curriculum vitae/Resume.
• Research Proposal with brief Introduction, Objective, Methodology, Budget and expected outcome (upto five pages) (For Mode-1 nominations only).
• Endorsement Letter by the head of the Host Institute (Format).
• Certificate from the Nominee (Format).
• RTGS Details (Format).

Formats and Guidelines

The details of Advisor / Coordinator are given below:

Email: ns-chair@serb.gov.in