Women Involvement in Science and Engineering Research

Description
The scheme “Women Involvement in Science and Engineering Research WISER ” aims to build scientific capacity, retain and promote women researchers in India & Germany by utilising complementary expertise in science, technology, innovation and research partnerships. This scheme is designed for women researchers holding a regular/long-term research position in academia/research institute/industry in India or Germany. Indo-German Science & Technology Centre IGSTC , established by the Department of Science & Technology DST , Government of India and the Federal Ministry of Education and Research BMBF , Government of Germany invites applications from women researchers in India/Germany to participate and collaborate in an ongoing R&D&I project without applying for fresh project grant in partnering countries. Objective: This programme intends to: - Enhance the representation and progression of women researchers in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics STEM . - Bring gender equity and inclusion in STEM research. - Create avenues for networking, interaction and long-term research collaboration. - Improve existing projects by adding an additional research component to get new and better results. - Promote women to lead consortium-based bilateral projects for IGSTC programmes and other funding schemes. Tenure: The tenure of the grant is for 3 years or till completion of the project whichever is earlier and will cover one visit per year for a short stay up to 1 month.

Benefits
• The grant will cover basic project assistance (including research staff for the Indian awardee, consumables, and contingency) for the awardee in the parent country and a one-month research stay in the host country (single round-trip airfare, visa fee, medical insurance, per diem for the stay).
• > **Indian awardee:**
• Travel (including visa fee and insurance) approximately ₹1 lakh.
• Project cost up to ₹12 lakhs/year (including research staff, consumables, contingency, and per diem @ €2300/month in Germany).
• > **German awardee:**
• Travel (including visa fee and insurance) approximately €1500.
• Project cost up to €14500/year (including consumables, contingency, and per diem @ € 2300/month in India).

Eligibility Criteria
1. The applicant must be working either in India or Germany.
2. Through this scheme, women researchers/entrepreneurs holding regular positions in academic/research institutions/industrial research organizations in India/Germany may apply to be a part of an ongoing R&D project of interest with acceptance from the host team.
3. The programme is open to all areas of STEM.
4. The programme has no age-limit (Preference to Early/Mid-career researchers).
5. **Note 01:** The applicant must define her role in the project, and provide details of the objective, execution strategy, and expected outcome.
6. **Note 02:** The applicant shall specify the value addition to the project in the host country.
7. **Note 03:** Choice and acceptance from the host is the sole responsibility of the applicant. The applicant should ensure an endorsement/consent letter from the host at the time of the application.
8. **Note 04:** The applicant shall submit a No Objection Certificate (NOC)/Endorsement letter from the head of the institution (present organization).
9. **Note 05:** The awardee shall commence her visit within 12 months from the date of the award letter.
10. **Note 06:** The awardee will abide by the conduct, rules & regulations of the host and the host country. IGSTC will not be responsible for the violation of any Rules and regulations by the awardee.
11. **Note 07:** The awardee and host must intimate IGSTC through email/letter in case of discontinuation by the awardee.
12. **Note 08:** The awardee must recognize and acknowledge IGSTC in all online/print documents, communications, reports, publications, conferences, theses, etc. on work emanating from the grant.

Required Documents
• Passport-size Photograph
• Educational certificates
• No Objection Certificate (NOC)/Endorsement letter from the head of the institution (present organization)
• Endorsement/consent letter from the host
• Details of proposed work
• List of publications
• List of Patents Filed/Granted
• Details of any other Notable Achievements
• Any other document, as required

Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the WISER programme?
A: Women Involvement in Science and Engineering Research (WISER) aims to promote women researchers in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) to join an ongoing R&D+I project without applying for a fresh project grant.

Q: Who is eligible to apply for WISER?
A: Women holding a regular/long-term research position in academia/research institute/industry either in India or Germany.

Q: Are Co-PIs allowed for WISER?
A: No, Co-PIs are not allowed.

Q: What are the topics/research areas eligible for WISER?
A: WISER is open to all areas of STEM. Preference will be given to applied research projects.

Q: What is the age limit for applying?
A: There is no age limit (preference will be given to Early/Mid-career researchers).

Q: What is the tenure of the grant?
A: The tenure of the grant is for 3 years or till completion of the project whichever is earlier.

Q: Can the tenure for WISER be extended?
A: No.

Q: What is the nature of support under this scheme?
A: Indian awardee

Travel (including visa fee and insurance) approximately [?] 1 lakh
Project cost up to [?] 12 lakhs/year (including research staff, consumables, contingency and per diem
@ EUR 2300/month in Germany)
German awardee

Travel (including visa fee and insurance) is approximately EUR 1500
Project cost up to EUR 14500/year (including consumables, contingency and per diem @ EUR 2300/month in India)

Q: What is the host institute?
A: For Indian applicant: Host institute is the institute in Germany where an applicant can be a part of an ongoing research project.
For German applicant: Host institute is the institute in India where an applicant can be a part of an ongoing research project.

Q: How to find a host?
A: Applicants need to find the host (Indian/German) on their own. Host selection and receiving endorsement from the host is the sole responsibility of the applicant.

Q: Is it necessary for a host to be a female?
A: It is not mandatory for the host to be a female.

Q: How to apply?
A: Applications are accepted throughout the year and eligible candidate can apply online. https://indo-germansciencetechnologycentre.my.salesforce-sites.com/ApplicantDashboard?campaign=Landing_Page_Wiser

Q: What is the deadline for the applications?
A: Applications are accepted throughout the year.

Q: What are the formalities on completion of WISER grant?
A: On completion of the tenure, the awardee should submit a final report together with consolidated Statement of Expenditure/Utilisation Certificate to IGSTC in the specific format.