SERB - POWER Research Grants

SERB - POWER Research Grants is a central scheme that helps women researchers in India get competitive R&D funding. The scheme is open for applications now and offers up to 60 lakh rupees over three years for Level I researchers and up to 30 lakh rupees for Level II researchers.

The Science and Engineering Research Board under the Department of Science and Technology runs this programme for Indian women scientists working in academic institutions, national laboratories, and approved R&D institutions across the country. Eligible researchers can apply through the official process each year when calls for proposals are issued.

SERB - POWER Research Grants

The POWER in the scheme name stands for Promoting Opportunities for Women in Exploratory Research. It was launched by the Science and Engineering Research Board and gives women researchers a chance to pursue individual-centric research projects in frontier areas of science and engineering. The main aim is to improve gender diversity in research funding across the country.

The scheme helps women researchers by offering structured support so they can focus on their R&D work without worrying about funding gaps. It covers both basic and applied research in all areas of science and engineering. The programme is part of a wider set of women empowerment schemes run by the government.

Key Information

Benefits

Nature and Duration of Support:

The scheme helps women researchers by offering funding under two categories:

The grant can be used for equipment, research personnel, consumables, travel, and contingency costs. The scheme also provides overheads to the host institution following standard SERB norms. For example, a researcher at a state university would qualify for the Level II grant of up to Rs.30 Lakh to support project expenses.

Note: The POWER Grant follows the terms of reference consistent with SERB-CRG guidelines.

Eligibility

To be eligible, you should meet these criteria:

1. You and your Co-Principal Investigator (Co-PI) must be Indian citizens.
2. You must hold a regular academic or research position in a recognized academic institution, national laboratory, or any approved R&D institution in India.
3. If you are working at IITs, IISERs, IISc, NITs, Central Universities, or National Labs, you should apply under Level I. If you work at a state university, college, or private institution, apply under Level II.
4. If you are a faculty member recruited through the UGC-Faculty Recharge Program, or an INSPIRE, Ramanujan, or Ramalingaswamy fellow with at least three and a half years of tenure remaining, you can apply.
5. You must include a female Co-PI from your own institute.
6. Male Co-PIs are not allowed, and your PhD guide cannot serve as your Co-PI.
7. PIs who have previously received a POWER Grant, holders of JC Bose fellowships, or those who have completed two CRG projects are not eligible.
8. You can have a maximum of only two Co-PIs per project.

Note 01: You cannot hold both a POWER Fellowship and a POWER Grant at the same time.

Note 02: For Tier II institutions, the equipment budget is capped at Rs.14 Lakh within the Rs.30 Lakh total limit.

Application Process

The application must be submitted through the official portal for a smooth online process. The call for applications is notified through the websites www.serb.gov.in and www.serbonline.in.

STEP 1 - Register yourself on the SERB online portal and complete the registration form with your personal and professional details.

STEP 2 - Log in and fill out your profile including bio-data, photographs, and institute address details on the portal.

STEP 3 - If you are including a Co-PI in your proposal, make sure they register using the same system from their own institution.

STEP 4 - Enter your proposal details such as project title, summary, key objectives, expected outcomes, and a detailed budget covering personnel, consumables, and equipment.

STEP 5 - Upload all technical documents and supporting files in a single PDF not exceeding 10 MB on the portal.

Note: The Program Advisory Committee will evaluate your proposal. If they need more details, they may invite you for a discussion or presentation.

Documents

You should keep the following required documents ready for your application:

• Proof of identity
• Recent passport-sized photograph
• Comprehensive research proposal details
• Copies of your educational qualification certificates
• Any other relevant supporting documentation as requested by the board

FAQ's

What is the maximum amount of the grant the Board will fund?

The funding depends on the category. Level I researchers can receive up to Rs.60 Lakh, while Level II researchers can receive up to Rs.30 Lakh for a duration of three years.

What is the difference between Level I and Level II?

Level I is for researchers at IITs, IISERs, IISc, NITs, Central Universities, and National Labs. Level II covers researchers from state universities, colleges, and private academic institutions.

Does the Board prioritize specific research areas?

No, the Board funds all areas of science and engineering. Your proposal will be evaluated based on its novelty and your competence as an investigator.

Can I apply if I already have an ongoing project?

Generally, the Board funds only one project per investigator at a time. If you have an active CRG, SRG, SURE, or SUPRA project, you cannot apply for this grant. However, having an ongoing EMEQ, IRPHA, or MATRIX project does not disqualify you.

Who can be a Co-PI in my research?

You can include only female Co-Investigators. If your Co-PI operates from a different institution, they may still receive a separate budget allocation if their expertise is essential for the project's success.

What if I need to leave my institution for more than 6 weeks?

You must obtain prior permission from SERB if you plan to be away from your institution for more than six weeks.

References

Official Website

Scheme Guidelines and Instructions

Registration Portal