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The primary function of SERB is to provide financial assistance to researchers and institutions engaged in cutting-edge scientific exploration and technological development.
Established in 2008, SERB’s mandate is to promote basic research in science and engineering and encourage a culture of innovation. (Image: Shutterstock)
The Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB), a statutory body under the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India, plays a pivotal role in fostering and nurturing a vibrant scientific ecosystem within the nation. Established in 2008, SERB’s mandate is to promote basic research in science and engineering and encourage a culture of innovation.
Its primary function is to provide financial assistance to researchers and institutions engaged in cutting-edge scientific exploration and technological development.
Diverse Funding Schemes to Support Researchers
SERB operates a diverse portfolio of funding schemes, each meticulously designed to address specific needs within the research landscape. A prominent example is the Core Research Grant (CRG), a cornerstone scheme operational for over four decades.
The CRG provides comprehensive support to active researchers, encompassing funding for equipment, research personnel, consumables, travel, contingency, and institutional overheads for a period of three years.
This enduring scheme empowers researchers to pursue ambitious projects in frontier areas of science and engineering. Furthering its commitment to supporting early-career researchers, SERB offers the Start-up Research Grant (SRG), designed to assist newly appointed faculty members in establishing their research programmes.
Nurturing Young Talent and Promoting Inclusivity
Recognising the imperative to attract and retain young talent within the scientific workforce, SERB provides the National Post-Doctoral Fellowship (N-PDF) for a duration of two years. This fellowship targets promising researchers under the age of 35, offering them valuable opportunities to further their knowledge and expertise in their chosen fields. The scheme has consistently supported a significant proportion of women researchers, with the percentage of approved proposals from women hovering around 40 per cent in recent years.
Furthermore, acknowledging the unique challenges faced by researchers from socially disadvantaged communities, SERB launched the Empowerment and Equity Opportunities for Excellence in Science (EMEQ) scheme. The EMEQ provides financial support for three years, reaching up to Rs. 50 lakh, to researchers belonging to Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and Other Backward Classes.
Empowering Women Scientists through the POWER Scheme
A detailed examination of SERB’s funding schemes reveals a notable disparity in the number of applications received from men and women across various programmes. While the total number of applications for schemes like the CRG, SRG, and EMEQ ranged from 5,000 to 9,000 in recent years, the proportion of applications from women researchers remained consistently lower, fluctuating between 20 per cent and 25 per cent.
Recognising the persistent gender gap in research funding and the unique challenges faced by women researchers in India, SERB introduced the Promoting Opportunities for Women in Exploratory Research (POWER) scheme in 2020. The POWER scheme encompasses several initiatives designed to empower women scientists and create a more equitable research environment.
The POWER research grant (SPG) provides funding support for individual-centric research projects led by women scientists. Acknowledging the diverse research infrastructure across institutions, the SPG scheme operates at two levels. Level 1 targets researchers in centrally funded premier institutions like IITs, IISERs, and IISc, while Level 2 caters to researchers from state-funded universities, colleges, and private academic institutions.
In addition to research grants, the POWER scheme also offers fellowships to women researchers. The SERB Power Fellowship (SPF) provides a unique opportunity for women scientists to further their careers by offering a fellowship in addition to their regular income. Furthermore, the scheme facilitates capacity building by providing additional research grants and institutional overheads to support the research activities of the fellows. The number of SPF grants awarded has been steadily increasing, with 24 and 26 fellowships granted in 2020-2021 and 2021-2022, respectively.
Subject-matter Preferences among Women Researchers
Further analysis reveals distinct subject-matter preferences among women researchers seeking SERB funding. Life sciences consistently emerged as the most popular area of research, followed by engineering sciences. This trend was observed across various funding schemes, including the CRG, SRG, and EMEQ. The N-PDF scheme, while also demonstrating a preference for life sciences, saw chemical sciences emerge as the second most sought-after research domain. The preference for life sciences is a global phenomenon among women scientists.
Transformative Success Stories from SERB-Funded Research
Several success stories highlight the transformative potential of SERB-funded research.
- Placenta on a Chip
The development of “Placenta-on-a-Chip” devices is a prime example, promising to improve the safety and well-being of pregnant women and their unborn children. This cutting-edge technology, funded through SERB’s MATRICS (Mathematical Research Impact Centric Support) scheme, allows researchers to study the complex interactions between the placenta and the mother’s body in a controlled laboratory setting. This could lead to a better understanding of pregnancy complications and the development of new therapies to prevent them.
- New Low-Cost Technology for Reducing Textile Effluent Pollution
Another remarkable success story is the development of a new low-cost technology for reducing textile effluent pollution. This innovation, supported through SERB’s IMPRINT (Impacting Research Innovation and Technology) programme, offers an energy-efficient and eco-friendly solution to a significant environmental challenge. The technology employs a combination of biosurfactants, cavitation, and membrane technology to effectively treat textile wastewater. This research has been successfully translated to a pilot-scale plant, demonstrating its potential for broader adoption and impact.
- Public-Health Relevance Project
The Public-Health Relevance Project under the High Research Priority Area Program is another testament to SERB’s commitment to addressing critical societal needs. This project, focusing on newborn screening for inborn errors of metabolism (IEM), has yielded significant results, paving the way for improved healthcare outcomes for infants. The research team, supported by SERB, has successfully screened over 200,000 newborns for treatable disorders, leading to the early identification and intervention for affected infants. This work has also resulted in the establishment of “Mission NEEV” (Neonatal Early Evaluation Vision), which aims to expand newborn screening coverage to 1.5 lakh babies in Delhi.
- Center for Cyber Security and Cyber Defence of Critical Infrastructures (C3i)
SERB’s support for the National Interdisciplinary Center for Cyber Security and Cyber Defence of Critical Infrastructures (C3i) at IIT Kanpur is another instance of its far-reaching influence. The C3i Center has emerged as a leading research and innovation hub in the realm of cybersecurity, developing cutting-edge technologies and industry-scale testbeds for vulnerability assessment, penetration testing, and security mitigation. The center’s work has led to the identification of over 30 vulnerabilities in standard industrial automation products, significantly contributing to enhancing cybersecurity preparedness.
SERB: A Driving Force in India’s Scientific Advancement
The introduction of the POWER scheme represents a significant step towards creating a more inclusive research ecosystem in India. While the scheme is relatively new and its long-term impact is yet to be fully realised, early data suggests a positive trend. The provision of dedicated funding and support mechanisms for women researchers will contribute to narrowing the gender gap in research funding and participation.
Overall, SERB stands as a critical pillar of India’s science and technology ecosystem. Through its diverse array of funding schemes, SERB empowers researchers, fosters innovation, and promotes inclusivity within the scientific community. As India strives to achieve its ambitious goals in science and technology, SERB’s role will continue to be crucial in driving cutting-edge research and nurturing the next generation of scientific talent.
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