AI SummaryScience and Engineering Research Board (SERB) is running the Technology Translation Award, known as SERB-TETRA, for researchers who want to convert their lab findings into working technology and products. Under this scheme, selected principal investigators get up to ₹15 lakh per year for two years to take their research to a technology readiness level (TRL) of 5 or beyond.
This is a central government scheme under the Ministry of Science and Technology. SERB now works as part of the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF), and applications are submitted online through the serbonline.in portal. The call for applications is announced once a year.
SERB Technology Translation Award - Introduction
SERB-TETRA is a scheme that builds a bridge between academic research and commercial technology for Indian researchers. The main idea is simple: research done in labs and universities should reach the market as a working product, not just stay in papers. This scheme provides money support and industry connections to make that happen.
The scheme is for scientists who are already running SERB grants, like the Core Research Grant (CRG). These scientists need to build a working partnership with an industry partner and push their breakthrough results to TRL 5 and beyond. It is expected that the principal investigator already holds the required patents and intellectual property rights related to the research.
Selected researchers get seed capital and access to flexible working spaces. They also get to interact with mentors and start-up entrepreneurs. The scheme opens up networking opportunities and finally gives a chance to present the finished prototype to large investors, established MSMEs, private companies, and public sector enterprises. Researchers should identify technology incubators in their own institution or nearby, because a clear plan to use these incubators adds value to the existing research funding.
Objective
The main aim of this scheme is to give awards to competitively funded major research grants, like Core Research Grants, that show promise for translation at TRL 5 or beyond.
Scientific Social Responsibility
SERB follows a Scientific Social Responsibility (SSR) policy to build a culture of social commitment among grantees. As per this policy, the scientific expertise of grantees should benefit other researchers and society. Grantees choose and carry out specific SSR activities during the project period, and they get an extra budget under a separate head for these activities after approval.
Duration of Support
Money support under this scheme is normally given for a period of two years.
Key Information
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Scheme Name | SERB-Technology Translation Award (SERB-TETRA) |
| Launched By | Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB) |
| Level | Central |
| Nodal Ministry | Ministry of Science and Technology |
| Benefit Amount | Up to ₹15 lakh per year for two years |
| Beneficiaries | Principal Investigators holding or applying for patents |
| Application Mode | Online |
| Official Website | serb.gov.in |
Benefits
Researchers selected under SERB-TETRA get an unstructured budget of up to ₹15 lakh per year, including overheads, for two years. International travel costs are not covered under this amount.
Apart from the money, the scheme gives seed capital, flexible working spaces, mentor support, and networking opportunities. Researchers can present their finished prototype to investors, MSMEs, private companies, and public sector enterprises, which helps in taking the product to the market.
Eligibility
Researchers who meet the conditions given below can apply for this scheme. The scheme covers ongoing research grants and extramural grants completed in the last three years, similar to other SERB schemes like SERB POWER Research Grants.
- Principal Investigator: The applicant must be the principal investigator of an ongoing research grant, or have completed an extramural grant within the last three years, and must hold or have applied for a patent.
- Citizenship: The applicant and co-investigators should be Indian citizens. Foreign nationals, including OCI and NRI, can also apply if they meet the eligibility rules notified by SERB.
- Job position: The applicant must hold a regular academic or research position in a recognized institution, national laboratory, or R&D institution in India, with at least three years of service remaining.
- Institution approval: Private academic institutions need valid UGC, AICTE, or PCI approval. Private R&D institutions need valid DSIR-SIRO recognition, and NGOs should be registered under the NITI Aayog Darpan portal.
- Qualification: The principal investigator and co-investigators should hold a Ph.D. in Science, Mathematics, or Engineering, or an M.D., M.S., M.D.S., or M.V.Sc degree at the time of applying.
- One project rule: Only one proposal can be submitted per call, and only one TETRA project can be held at any given time.
Important Note: Proposals must be original and free from plagiarism. Any text taken from another source must be marked with quotation marks and proper references. Proposals are checked for similarity before acceptance, so applicants should pre-check their work before uploading.
Application Process
Applications for SERB-TETRA are submitted online. The call for applications is announced on the official websites serb.gov.in and serbonline.in. Follow the steps given below to apply.
STEP 1 - Keep checking the official websites serb.gov.in and serbonline.in for the call for applications. The call is released once a year.
STEP 2 - Register on the online portal at serbonline.in to create a profile.
STEP 3 - After registration, confirm the account by clicking the link sent to the registered email ID.
STEP 4 - Log in and fill all mandatory details in the profile section, including bio-data, photo, institute address, patents, publications of the last five years, projects, and research collaboration details.
STEP 5 - Prepare the research proposal and enter the required details, like title (max 500 characters), patent summary (max 3000 characters), keywords (max 6), translation methodology (max 1500 characters), expected output and outcome, innovation, gap area, and the advantage of the prototype to be developed.
STEP 6 - Upload the supporting technical documents as a single PDF file of not more than 10 MB, and submit the application before the last date.
Selection Procedure
Proposals are checked through a strict peer-review process by a Programme Advisory Committee (PAC) set up by the board. If needed, the applicant may be called for a discussion or presentation before the final selection.
Documents Required
The following documents are required in the prescribed format when applying for SERB-TETRA.
- Biodata: Up-to-date bio-data of the applicant, filled under the user profile section.
- Certificate from the Principal Investigator: A certificate confirming the details of the research work.
- Endorsement letter: Endorsement from the head of the institution.
- Technology transfer documents: Documents showing technology transfer from completed or ongoing projects.
- Support letter: A support letter if there is any tie-up with a start-up or industry partner.
- Plagiarism undertaking: A signed undertaking confirming that the proposal is original.
Contact Details
For any query about SERB-TETRA, researchers can contact the Science and Engineering Research Board. The address is 3rd and 4th Floor, Block II, Technology Bhavan, New Mehrauli Road, New Delhi - 110016. The phone number is +91-011-26511077 and the email address of the Member Secretary is pk-prasad[at]anrf[dot]gov[dot]in.
References
For the latest updates, notifications, and the official application link, check the pages given below.
FAQ's
What is the main aim of SERB-TETRA?
The scheme gives awards to competitively funded research projects that show promise for technology translation at a technology readiness level of 5 or beyond.
Who can apply for this award?
Principal investigators of ongoing research projects, or projects completed in the last three years, can apply if they hold or have applied for a patent related to the project with an acknowledgement of SERB support. Researchers who do not qualify can check other options like the Abdul Kalam Technology Innovation National Fellowship.
How much money is given under this scheme?
Selected researchers get an unstructured budget of up to ₹15 lakh per year for two years. International travel costs are not included in this amount.
How often are applications invited?
The call for applications is released once a year on the official websites.
Can the award be held along with another SERB project?
Yes. TETRA is an award of recognition and can be held at the same time as other active research grants of the researcher.
Can a researcher submit more than one application?
No. Only one application can be submitted at a time, and it should highlight the patent with the best translation potential.
Are publications without SERB acknowledgement accepted?
No. Only publications that clearly acknowledge the SERB grant are considered as valid project output.
Is a project completed five years ago eligible?
No. Only projects that are ongoing or completed in the last three financial years qualify for the award.