Back-to-Lab Research Fellowship Programme

Description
In Kerala, a good number of women will have to undergo career breaks due to family commitments and as the gap widens, they will have limited opportunities for re-entry in Science. In order to overcome this situation and to facilitate the re-entry of women having career breaks to Science research, the Kerala State Council of Science, Technology and Environment KSCSTE launched the “Back-to-Lab Research Fellowship Programme” in 2010. The Scheme aims to support Women Research Scholars having career breaks, to come back to research and complete the Ph.D programme. The fellowship is provided normally for a period of 3 years. The scheme is open to unemployed women of Kerala origin qualified with a post-graduate degree in Basic or Applied Science or Professional Courses. Necessary conditions as per the scheme: - There should be a Scientist Mentor preferably a Research guide who is a regular faculty/staff of the institution under whose guidance the woman scientist should carry out the work. The Scientist Mentor should have at least 5 or more years of service left in the Institution before retirement. The Scientist Mentor should constantly monitor the progress of the project, facilitate smooth implementation of the programme and ensure timely submission of financial utilization certificates by the institute to KSCSTE. - In case the Research Fellow submits the Thesis before the scheduled tenure of the fellowship, the Thesis Submission Certificate and other completion documents should be submitted to KSCSTE within one month so as to enable termination of the Fellowship. - Research fellows availing financial assistance/stipend from other State/Central funding agencies or other sources will not be simultaneously eligible for the KSCSTE Back-to-Lab Research Fellowship. The Research Fellow should furnish an undertaking to the effect that she is not availing financial assistance/stipend from any other source simultaneously. - The implementing Institute should provide full infrastructural facilities such as a laboratory, computer, library, communication, accommodation, water, electricity, etc. for smooth implementation of the project. - The unutilized portion of the grant along with the interest accrued at the end of the project period should be refunded to Council by DD in favour of Member Secretary, KSCSTE. - Scientists who publish technical/ scientific papers based on the research work done under the project should acknowledge the assistance received from KSCSTE. - The Research Fellow should not enter into collaboration with a foreign party individual/ industry without prior approval of the Council.

Benefits
• Monthly Research Fellowship of ₹22,000/- + 10 % HRA in the first two years and ₹25,000/- + 10 % HRA per month in the third year, along with an annual contingent grant of ₹20,000/-.
• Duration of the Fellowship is 3 years or till the date of submission of Ph.D Thesis, whichever is earlier.

Eligibility Criteria
1. Only women candidates are eligible to apply.
2. Applicant should be of Kerala origin and unemployed.
3. Age limit: 45 years
4. Applicant should have qualified post-graduation with a minimum of 60% marks.
5. Applicant should have a valid Ph.D registration in an institution of academic/ research excellence in Kerala including R&D institutions, University Departments, Govt. Aided colleges, in any of the streams; Science, Technology, Engineering, Agriculture or Medicine (STEAM).
6. Applicant should have completed Ph.D coursework.
7. Only those research scholars who are under (undergone) a career break spanning a minimum period of 6 months during the course of their Ph.D. programme due to maternity or other valid reasons are eligible to apply.
8. Applicant should not have completed 4 years as on the date of Ph.D registration.
9. Applicant should not be receiving any fellowship or grant from any other source for the Ph.D. programme.

Required Documents
• Identity proof of applicant
• Proof of Kerala nativity
• Proof of Date of Birth
• Marks sheet and Certificate for Post-Graduate Degree Course
• Ph.D Registration Order
• Course-work Completion Certificate
• Institute Order on sanction of leave during the course of Ph.D programme

Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the aim of this programme?
A: The Scheme aims to support Women Research Scholars having a career break, to come back to research and complete the Ph.D programme.

Q: Which is the implementing agency of this programme?
A: Kerala State Council for Science, Technology and Environment (KSCSTE)

Q: When was this programme launched?
A: The programme was launched in the year 2010.

Q: Who is eligible to get the benefits under the programme?
A: Only those research scholars who are under (undergone) career break spanning for a minimum period of 6 months during the course of their Ph.D. programme due to maternity or other valid reasons are eligible to apply.

Q: What is the maximum age criterion to apply under the programme?
A: The age of the candidate should be below 45 years.

Q: What is the qualification required to apply for the programme?
A: Applicants should have qualified Post-Graduation with a minimum of 60% marks and should have a valid Ph.D. registration in a recognised and reputed University or Institution in Kerala.

Q: Can an employed candidate be eligible to apply?
A: No, the applicant should not be employed either on permanent or temporary basis and should not be receiving any sort of emoluments at the time of application.

Q: Can a candidate who has completed PhD be eligible to apply?
A: No

Q: How much will the monthly fellowship be given to the eligible fellow?
A: Monthly Research Fellowship of [?]22,000/- + 10 % HRA in the first two years and [?]25,000/- + 10 % HRA per month in the third year.

Q: How much will the contingency grant to be paid under the programme?
A: An annual contingent grants of [?]20,000/- will also be paid under the programme.

Q: What is the duration of the fellowship?
A: Duration of the Fellowship is 3 years or till the date of submission of Ph.D Thesis, whichever is earlier.

Q: How can an applicant apply for the programme?
A: Eligible applicants may apply in the prescribed format and the format for the application can be downloaded from the Official Website of KSCSTE. https://kscste.kerala.gov.in/back-to-lab/

Q: Where can an applicant contact regarding this programme?
A: The Head, Women Scientists Division, Kerala State Council of Science, Technology and Environment, Sasthra Bhavan, Pattom (P.O), Thiruvananthapuram - 695 004, Ph: 0471 2548208, Fax: 0471 2540085, 2534605, E-mail: [email protected]