AI SummarySERB Science and Technology Award for Research, also known as SERB-STAR, is a national award from the Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB), which now works under Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF). The award recognizes Principal Investigators (PIs) who have completed a SERB project with an Excellent grade. Winners get a fellowship of ₹15,000 per month, a research grant of ₹10 lakh per annum and overhead charges of ₹1 lakh per annum for three years.
Call for nominations is issued once every year, and the Head of the Institution sends the nomination online on behalf of the researcher. As of August 2026, SERB continues to accept nominations under the annual call, and the sections below cover the benefits, eligibility, documents and the online nomination process.
SERB Science and Technology Award for Research - Introduction
SERB-STAR was started to honor the good work of researchers supported by SERB. The number of researchers under SERB has grown over the years, and their work adds a lot to the progress of science and engineering in India. This award acknowledges such contributions and also motivates PIs of ongoing projects to aim for outstanding performance.
SERB has also adopted a Scientific Social Responsibility (SSR) policy. The policy encourages grantees to share their expertise and facilities with less-endowed researchers and the society. During submission, the applicant chooses the social responsibility activities, and the board provides an extra budget under a separate head for these activities.
Researchers who want to know about other SERB programs can read about the SERB - POWER Research Grants or the SERB Research Scientist Scheme.
Key Information
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Scheme Name | SERB Science and Technology Award for Research (SERB-STAR) |
| Level | Central |
| Scheme For | Individual |
| Beneficiary States | All |
| Category | Science, IT and Communications |
| Target Beneficiaries | Individual |
| Sub Category | Research and Development |
| Benefit Type | Composite |
| DBT Scheme | No |
| Nodal Ministry | Ministry of Science and Technology |
| Nodal Department | Department of Science and Technology |
| Implementing Agency | Science and Engineering Research Board under Anusandhan National Research Foundation, Government of India |
| Tags | SERB, STAR, Award, Research, Fellowship, Principal Investigator |
Benefits
SERB-STAR gives a three-year support package to recognize the hard work of the selected researcher:
- Fellowship: ₹15,000 per month.
- Research Grant: ₹10 lakh per annum.
- Overhead Charges: ₹1 lakh per annum.
The board grants up to 30 awards every year, and the total number of active awardees is capped at 90 at any time.
Eligibility
To be eligible for the award, the nominee must meet these conditions:
- Must have completed an individual-centric SERB project within the last three financial years with an Excellent grade. Only the Principal Investigator is eligible, not the co-PIs.
- Must hold a regular position as a researcher or academic in a recognized national laboratory, academic institution, or R&D center.
- Must be between 40 and 50 years of age as of December 31 of the year in which the call is made.
- Must not hold other ongoing fellowships or honorariums like the JC Bose Fellowship, Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize, or Swarnajayanti Fellowship.
- If not selected in one year, the nominee can be renominated in a later year, provided the eligibility criteria are still met.
Note on Regular Positions: A regular position means an appointment against a sanctioned post that is confirmed after the probation period, or a tenure post that is likely to be renewed after the tenure ends.
Application Process
This is a nomination-based award and entry is by nomination only. The Head of the Institution submits the nomination once a year through the ANRF online portal at serbonline.in. Follow these steps to file the nomination:
STEP 1 - Register or log in to the official ANRF online portal at serbonline.in.
STEP 2 - Fill in all mandatory fields in the Profile Details section under User Profile, which includes bio-data, photo, and institutional address.
STEP 3 - Under 'Form Submission', choose the scheme STAR and fill the STAR nomination form with details of the completed project, other scientific contributions, and nominator details.
STEP 4 - Select 'Send STAR nomination form to Nominator' so the form reaches the Head of the Institution.
STEP 5 - The Nominator reviews the form and submits the nomination to SERB, or sends it back with comments for revision.
STEP 6 - Once submitted, both the PI and the Nominator receive a notification about the successful submission.
Selection happens in two stages. In stage 1, SERB checks the eligibility criteria including the Excellent grading of the completed project. In stage 2, a competent committee picks the awardees based on the performance of the completed project and other research work.
Documents
Keep the following documents ready and upload them in PDF format with the nomination:
- Project Completion Report (PCR)
- List of publications from the completed project
- Reprints of publications
- Details of patents from the completed project
- Patent documents
- Documents related to technology transfer
- List of complete publications, patents and other important contributions
- Endorsement certificate from the institution
- Certificate from the Principal Investigator
- Technical document and plagiarism undertaking
References
SERB Awards and Fellowships Page
FAQ's
Who is eligible for the STAR Award?
A Principal Investigator who has completed a SERB project with an Excellent grade in the last three financial years is eligible. The PI must be in regular service, between 40 and 50 years of age, and should not hold other ongoing fellowships like the JC Bose Fellowship, Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize, or Swarnajayanti Fellowship.
How often are the awards granted?
Nominations are invited once every year.
Is there an age limit for the STAR Award?
Yes, the nominee should be between 40 and 50 years old as of December 31 of the year in which the call is made.
Can the award be held along with another SERB project?
Yes. STAR is an award of appreciation and can be held at the same time as other SERB projects.
How is the Excellent grade determined?
The Programme Advisory Committee checks the Project Completion Report and grades the project based on the quality of research, impact, publications, patents, and research personnel generated.
Can a nomination be considered without submitting the Project Completion Report?
No. The Project Completion Report must be submitted so that the concerned committee can evaluate the project.
Are publications without SERB acknowledgement counted?
No. Only publications that clearly acknowledge the SERB grant are taken into account as project output.
Do all excellent-rated researchers get the award?
No. The selection committee chooses up to 30 awardees per year based on the performance of the completed project and other research work.
Can a researcher apply directly for the award?
No. Entry is by nomination only, and the Head of the Institution sends the nomination.
Can a project completed 5 years ago be considered?
No. Only projects completed in the previous three financial years are considered.
Can an unsuccessful nominee of an earlier year apply again?
Yes, subject to fulfilling the eligibility criteria, the nomination is considered in a later year.