Scholarship scheme 2009 - Last date 15th March

News: Govt launches scholarship to ‘inspire’ science students

For: BSc./MSc. integrated students

Seeking to attract students to science studies, the Government has launched an ambitious scholarship programme for tapping young scientific talents at school level.

Aptly named INSPIRE, or Innovation in Science Pursuit for Inspired Research, the scheme, launched by PM Manmohan Singh, seeks to groom meritorious science students from class XII onwards, offering them handsome scholarships at every stage of their career. They would be encouraged to continue their studies in science and offered attractive jobs in research institutions. “Recognising the importance of this scheme, the Government has allocated Rs 2,100 crore in the 11th plan period,” Singh said.

For the official press release dated 1st Jan 2009 click here

Download the application format and brochure from below:
1. Application format
2. Information Brochure

.......................Complete Information.......................
Submission of Application for the “SCHOLARSHIP FOR
HIGHER EDUCATION (SHE)” - a component of the `Innovation
in Science Pursuit for Inspired Research (INSPIRE)’ being
implemented by the Department of Science Technology (DST),
New Delhi.

Genesis of INSPIRE: Global competitiveness in the changing global knowledge
economy calls for expansion and right-sizing of the Research and Development
base of the country. Need for special interventions for attracting youth to study
of natural sciences and careers with research is recognized. Innovation in
Science Pursuit for Inspired Research (INSPIRE) is a Programme launched
by the Government of India to strengthen the National Science and Technology
base. It is being implemented by the Department of Science and Technology
(DST).

About INSPIRE: Programme includes three components namely Scheme for
Early Attraction of Talents for Science (SEATS), Scholarships for Higher
Education (SHE) and Assured Opportunity for Research Careers (AORC). The
Scheme SHE is focused on attraction of talent to study of natural/ basic sciences
at the bachelor and master’s level education. SHE is currently limited to support
for educational programmes at BSc, BSc (Hons), MSc and integrated master’s
level course in sciences leading to MSc in any branch of natural and basic
sciences namely mathematics, statistics, physics, chemistry, earth sciences
and life sciences.

Call for Applications: Applications are invited from eligible candidates for
‘Scholarship for Higher Education (SHE)’ component of INSPIRE. Total of 10,000
scholarships are available annually under SHE starting April 2008. The
scholarships are limited only to the candidates studying courses in natural/
basic sciences (BSc, BSc (Hons), integrated MSc) in any one of the recognized
institutions in India. Eligibility criterion for the scholarships are a) performance
in board examinations within the cutoff threshold (of top 1%) for each state or
central board examination at the class X and class XII level and/or b)
performance in any of the specified competitive examinations within stipulated
cut off ranks. The eligible applicant must be already enrolled into degree level
education in natural/basic sciences in any of the recognized institutions in India.

Criteria for Eligibility for SHE:

a) Based on Performance in Board Examinations: The candidates should
have obtained aggregate marks in the top 1% in the board examination at both
class X and XII levels. For example, the candidates applying for the award in
2008 should have secured marks within the top 1% in class X in the year 2005
and class XII in 2007 in the respective board examinations and joined a degree
course leading to BSc or BSc (Hons) of integrated MSc in natural/basic sciences
in any institution in India and returned to study of second year in the academic
year 2008-09. Cut-off marks for various board examinations conduced in the
year 2005 and 2007 are listed in Table 1.

b) Based on Performance in Competitive Examinations (specified in Table
2).: Performance within the top 10,000 ranks in Joint Entrance Examination of
IIT, AIEEE and CBSE-medical and joining courses in degree level courses in
natural/basic sciences in any recognized Indian institution. The scheme in its
current format does not include courses in engineering, medicine, technology
and other professional courses.

c) Based on Performance in Competitive Examinations (specified in Table
3): Clearance of competitive examinations conducted by institutions listed in
Table 3 and all candidates securing admissions and joining courses in natural/
basic sciences conduced by Indian Institutes of Science Education and
Research (IISER), National Institute of Science Education and Research
(NISER), integrated MSc courses in Indian Institutes of Technology, Department
of Atomic Energy – Centre for Basic Science (DAE-CBS) course from the
academic year 2008-09 are eligible.

Value and Type of Support: Eligible candidates will receive annually scholarship
total value Rs 80,000 per candidate. The cash value payable to the SHE
scholarship holder is Rs 60,000 per annum. All the SHE scholars are undertake
summer time attachment to an active researcher in recognized research centers
in the country. A summer time attachment fee of Rs 20,000 will be paid to the
mentoring institution for undertaking summer time project.

Duration of the Support: Selected candidates will be supported for a maximum
period of five years starting 1st year course in BSc, BSc (Hons) and integrated
course leading to MSc or the completion of the course, which ever is earlier.
Continuation of the scholarship for once selected candidates is based on
satisfactory performance of the examinations conducted and certified by the
institution imparting education.

Format for Application: All interested and eligible candidates (as per Table 1
for Board examination based eligibility or as per Table 2 or Table 3 for competitive
examination based eligibility) must apply in the prescribed format along with
attested copy of i) Mark sheets of Class X and Class XII and ii) Certificate from
Principal of the College/ Director or Registrar of the Institute or University where
the applicant is presently enrolled. Applications should reach by Ordinary Post
only on or before 15th March 2009 and shall be addressed to the Director,
National Institute of Science, Technology & Developemnt Studies
(NISTADS), Dr K S Krishnan Marg , New Delhi – 110012. The envelope should
mention on top “Application for Scholarship for Higher Education (SHE)”
program. This advertisement is also available at the
website: www.inspire-dst.gov.in for online submission of application. The online
applicants should also submit a hardcopy of the applications with all attested
documents.


National Level Competitive Examination
IIT – JEE : Top 10,000 Rank
AIEEE : Top 10,000 Rank
CBSE Medical Board : Top 10,000 Rank
All Kishore Vaigyanik Protsahan Yojna (KVPY) Fellows, National Talent Search
Examination (NTSE) Scholars, Olympiad Medalists and Jagadis Bose National Science
Talent Search (JBNSTS) Fellows.

Other National Level Competitive Examinations for Admission to
5 years Integrated MSc programs in Basic & Natural Sciences at all Indian Institute of
Technology (IITs).

All Indian Institute of Science Educations & Research (IISERs)
National Institute of Science Education & Research (NISER)
Department of Atomic Energy – Centre for Basic Science (DAE – CBS)
Any other national level test conducted by any University or Academic Institute for admission to Under-graduate or Integrated MSc program in Natural Sciences and Basic Sciences.