Annual Report 2019-20
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Annual Report 2019-20 Science and Engineering Research Board Science and Engineering Research Board 2019-20 Annual Report From the Secretary's Desk I feel privileged to present the 9th Annual Report of the Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB), illustrating a comprehensive overview of our activities and achievements in the year 2019-2020. In this year, SERB saw the launch of several new R&D programs that offers a wider landscape for Indian researchers to seek outstanding scientific breakthroughs, making impactful contributions to our fundamental understanding and offer disruptive technologies at the cutting edge. New programs such as SERB-SUPRA (Scientific and Useful Profound Research Advancement) and SERB-Exponential Technologies intend to challenge the Indian researchers to evolve transformative concepts based on original and creative research problems, opening up newer opportunities in national S&T landscape and create the right visibility on the global stage. With ever-increasing outreach, we are at the forefront of developing a right ecosystem to crowd-source outstanding research problems, and delivery of equally unique solutions and knowledge creation. SERB is also on the forefront in bringing wider platforms for multiple players in research and development. SERB-FIRE (Fund for Industrial Research Engagement) is a new model of public-private partnership, put in motion in the reporting period, to serve as a new framework for industry-oriented research, along with capital contributions from industries. SERB-STAR (Science and Technology Award for Research) program was instituted to recognize and reward outstanding research performance in frontier areas of science and engineering. It is envisaged that SERB-STAR will be an appropriate recognition for investigators, by acknowledging their exemplary contributions in research and sustain their motivation for to undertake pioneering research. It is important for the country to keep pace with technological advances and encourage its researchers to compete at the world stage and vie for due visibility through breakthrough research and achievements. With the mission of being the premier research funding agency involved in raising the footprint, quality, and output in the niche areas of science and engineering, SERB remains committed to accelerate research support to all levels of investigators infused through calibrated R&D support. I wish to extend our gratitude and appreciation to the numerous colleagues who partake in Program Advisory Committees, Expert Committees and in project review, ensuring that the processes enshrined in the governance of SERB programs are adhered to the highest levels of quality assessment, transparency, and integrity. Our activities of the past year truly reflect the spirit of innovation, inclusion, and collaboration that we are cultivating in Indian Science, reaffirming our commitment to the nation’s development. We believe that best of our R&D efforts in S&T will continue to emerge as we build upon our past successes and judicious investments in supporting high quality research breakthroughs in Indian science. Jai Hind! Sandeep Verma Secretary, SERB Contents 1. The Organization 1 1.1 Vision, Mission & Goals 2 1.2 Organization and Programmatic Chart 3 1.3 Board & Oversight Committee 4 1.4 The Peer Review Committees 5 2. Overview 7 2.1 Growth Profile 7 2.2 Schemes and Programmes 10 2.3 New Initiatives 15 2.4 Process and Procedural Flows 16 2.5 Vital Statistics 17 3. Supporting Core Research & Innovation 19 3.1 Core Research Grant (CRG) 21 3.2 Empowerment and Equity Opportunities for Excellence in Science (EMEQ) 3.3 Ayurvedic Biology (AB) 50 3.4 Mathematical Research Impact-Centric Support (MATRICS) 51 3.5 Industry Relevant R&D (IRRD) 53 3.5.1 Fund For Industrial Research Engagement (Fire) 3.6 Intensification of Research in High Priority Area (IRHPA) 57 3.7 Teachers Associateship for Research Excellence (TARE) 4. Fostering The Young Researchers 63 4.1 Start-Up Research Grant (SRG) 65 4.2 National Post-Doctoral Fellowships (NPDF) 69 4.3 Ramanujam Fellowship 72 4.4 SERB Research Scientists (SRS) Scheme 79 5. Building Research Networks 79 5.1 National Collaborations 83 5.1.1 Impacting Research Innovation & Technology (IMPRINT-II) Programme 5.1.2 Prime Minister’s Fellowship Programme for Doctoral Research 5.1.3 R & D Scheme of Ministry of Food Processing Industries in partnership with MOFPI 5.1.4 Uchhatar Avishkar Yojana (UAY) 5.2 International Collaborations 5.2.1 SERB Newton – Bhabha International Fellowships 5.2.2 SERB Overseas Doctoral Fellowships 5.2.3 SERB Overseas Visiting Doctoral Fellowship 5.2.4 VAJRA (Visiting Advanced Joint Research) Scheme 6. Award & Recognitions 91 6.1 J C Bose Fellowship 99 6.2 National Science Chair 100 6.3 SERB Distinguished Fellowship (DF) 102 6.4 SERB Science and Technology Award for Research (SERB-STAR) 103 6.5 SERB Women Excellence Award 104 6.6 Year of Science Chair Professorship (YoSCP) 105 6.7 Abdul Kalam Technology Innovation National Fellowship 6.8 Swarnajayanti Fellowships 7. Support For Science & Technology Events 101 7.1 Assistance to Professional Bodies & Seminars/Symposia 107 7.2 International Travel Support (ITS) 108 8. Patents, Publications and Other Outreach Programs 105 8.1 Patents Filed/Granted 111 8.2 Publications 111 8.3 Human Resources Development 111 8.4 Training/Schools 112 8.5 Scientific Support In Evaluating MHRD Schemes 8.5.1 Third Party Evaluation of MHRD – Fast Scheme 8.5.2 Third Party Evaluation of MHRD NIIT-SIIHEI Scheme 9. Administration 109 9.1 Administration and Recruitment 113 9.2 Implementation of Official Language 113 9.3 Right to Information Act, 2005 (RTI) 114 9.4 Vigilance Awareness 114 9.5 Internal Complaints Committee (ICC) - Women 114 9.6 Audited Annual Statement of Accounts THE ORGANIZATION 1 THE ORGANIZATION The Department of Science and Technology has established Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB), as a Statutory body in the year 2011 for planning, promoting and funding of internationally competitive research in emerging areas; and identify major inter-disciplinary research areas, and individuals, groups or institutions and funding them for undertaking research. The Board (SERB), since its inception is instrumental in inculcating scientific pursuit in the country by supporting state of the art research infrastructure and research projects in academic and research institutions. Apart from this the Board also provides assistance to scientific fraternity in their capacity building and recognizes the significant contributions of individuals through meritorious awards. In order to guide and advise the Board from time to time an Oversight Committee has been constituted under the provisions of the SERB Act. Figure 1.1 : SERB Office at Vasant Kunj, New Delhi. Annual Report | 2019-20 1 THE ORGANIZATION 1.1 Vision, Mission & Goals To better focus in its energies and resources on realization of its mandate, SERB defined its vision, mission and goals as per the following. Vision Vision Mission To position science and As the premier national research technology as the fulcrum funding agency, raise the quality for social and economic and footprint of Indian science and change by supporting engineering to the highest global competitive, relevant and levels in an accelerated mode, through quality scientific research calibrated, competitive support of and development. research and development. Goals I. universities with opportunities in active Stimulating the search for new knowledge research, thereby aiding in expanding the and encouraging invention, discovery, footprint of quality science. innovation and development by supporting VII. bottom-up research competitively and at Through global bilateral and multilateral all levels of our research eco-system. partnerships support collaborative top- II. quality research in cutting-edge areas to Support conceptually new directions, ensure the rapid growth of quality science even when risky, but having the potential in India. for non-incremental and transformative VIII. success. Strengthen deep-expertise in Scout, mentor, incentivize and reward specific domains and link them through exceptional performers, teams and inter-disciplinary and multi-institutional institutions. ‘top-down’ programmes that address IX. challenging national problems. Show unstinted commitment towards III. science by constantly improving our Develop funding programmes which methods and swiftness for research connect with needs of our society and support, while ensuring the highest identify key scientific questions, both adherence to financial processes. basic-science and application that have X. concrete societal values. Recognizing that all research support has IV. at its base the development of quality, Launch and strengthen programmes well-trained researchers; initiate and to bring in researchers from under strengthen programmes of identifying represented regions, weaker and research potential, mentoring, training marginalized segments of the society. and hands-on workshops, on a broad- V. based national scale. Realizing the importance of gender parity, XI. ensure that all programmes pro-actively Make SERB the vehicle of choice for all have mechanism to encourage enhanced R&D funding agencies for their core and equitable representation of women programmes by developing inclusive scientists. processes and proactively synergizing VI. with them for the requisite integration Initiate and strengthen schemes that link and consolidation of the research teachers