SERB-power (Promoting Opportunities For Women In Exploratory Research) Program 2020

Policy Update
Geetam Acharya

Introduction

Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB) is a statutory body under the department of science and technology, Government of India, established by an act of the Parliament of India in 2009 (SERB act, 2008).

The Ministry of Science and Technology has launched the Serb-power (promoting opportunities for women in exploratory research) scheme in India. The main objective of this project is to mitigate gender disparity in science and engineering research funding in various S&T programs in Indian academic institutions and r&d laboratories. It will serve as a benchmark of recognition in the national scenario and will empower women scientists to cultivate a women-friendly culture and ensure more women in leadership positions in decision-making bodies. The scheme comprises two components: research grants and fellowship.

Functioning

The Science and Engineering Research Board, with the help of this project, intends to create a funding framework to empower women researchers. To achieve this goal, two main components of the scheme are essential. this includes:

SERB-power fellowship
- target: women researchers between the age of 35-55 years and up to 25 fellowships every year. also, not more than 75 fellowships can be given at any point in time
- components of support: fellowship worth rs.15,000 per month; a research grant of Rs. 10 lakhs per annum; and an additional overhead of Rs.90,000 per annum
- duration: three years, without a possibility of extension
SERB-power research grants – the funding for women-led projects will be done based on two levels:
- level I: the scale of funding is up to 60 lakhs for three years. This applies to candidates from government institutes, national labs of these institutes, iits, iisers, iisc, nits, etc.
- level II: the scale of funding is up to 30 lakhs for three years. this applies to candidates studying in private state universities/colleges.

Eligibility

A certain set of eligibility rules have been prescribed by the government authorities. only the women researchers who qualify for this criteria can apply for grants and fellowships:

the applicants must be an Indian citizen
applicant must hold a regular academic/research position in any recognized academic institution
the terms of reference for grants will be regulated as per the Serb-crg guidelines
both power fellowship and power grants cannot be held by women scientists at the same time
faculties recruited through UGC-faculty recharge program are also eligible to apply

SERB -power scheme future implications

The Serb-power program offers promising initiatives to support women in science and engineering research. however, some potential issues could arise that might affect its performance:

Sustainability of funding: the program’s success depends heavily on consistent funding. reliance on yearly grants might lead to funding fluctuations, impacting long-term research projects.
Work-life balance: the program targets women between 35-55 years, a period often laden with family responsibilities. the program might benefit from additional support systems like child care assistance or flexible research timelines to address work-life balance challenges.
Visibility and outreach: limited awareness about the program could hinder participation, especially in under-represented regions or institutions. initiatives to promote the program beyond major institutions are crucial.
Mentorship and networking: building a strong network of mentors and fostering a collaborative research environment could further empower women researchers. the program might benefit from incorporating mentorship opportunities.
Tracking long-term impact: metrics to measure the program’s long-term impact on women’s leadership positions and research careers are important. regularly evaluating the program’s effectiveness and making adjustments will be vital.

Despite these potential challenges, Serb-power presents a significant step towards gender equality in research. here’s why it has the potential to perform well:

Addressing a critical gap: the program directly addresses the issue of funding disparity for women researchers, providing crucial resources to pursue ambitious research endeavors.
Multi-pronged approach: the program offers both fellowships and grants, catering to different career stages and research needs of women scientists.
Increased visibility: the program’s existence itself raises awareness about gender disparity in research and opens doors for further initiatives to bridge the gap.
Potential for replication: the program’s success can inspire other government or private research funding bodies to implement similar initiatives, leading to a wider systemic change.

Way forward

With the introduction of this scheme, the department of science and technology (dst) aims to invite more women scientists into the field of research and engineering.

One of the biggest significance of the Serb-power scheme is that it will build a gender-balanced working environment and cultivate a women-friendly culture.

It will also empower women scientists to adopt leadership qualities and work with decision-making bodies. By continuously evaluating its effectiveness, addressing potential shortcomings, and fostering collaboration among stakeholders, the Serb-power program can catalyze change, empowering women scientists and contributing to India’s scientific progress.

References

Acknowledgement– The author would like to thank Dr Arjun Kumar, Vaishali Singh, Aasthaba Jadeja, who helped me throughout this article and reviewed the same.

About the contributor– Geetam Acharya is a research intern at IMPRI and an undergraduate student at SRI VENKATESWARA COLLEGE, UNIVERSITY OF DELHI with a keen interest in political science and international relations.