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The INSPIRE Awards - MANAK (Million Minds Augmenting National Aspirations and Knowledge), being executed by the Department of Science & Technology (DST), with National Innovation Foundation – India (NIF), an autonomous body of DST, Govt. of India aims to motivate students in the age group of 10-15 years and studying in classes 6 to 10.   The Government of India has approved the INSPIRE Scheme in November 2008.

Who can participate? Individual students (not groups) of class 6 to 10 from all recognized schools, government or private, aided or unaided, from any National or State Education Board, may submit their original and innovative ideas in any one of the 22 languages from the 8th schedule of constitution to their school.

INSPIRE Awards: Students of class 6 to 10 are eligible for INSPIRE Awards. The students should be in the age group of 10 to 15 years. Around 2 Lakh students are awarded INR 5000 per child under INSPIRE Awards.

What is the objectives: The objective of the scheme is to target one million original ideas/innovations rooted in science and societal applications to foster a culture of creativity and innovative thinking among school children.                                                                   

This scheme is undertaken  as per the following steps:

1). Awareness and capacity building of District, State and School level functionaries across the country through regional workshops, audio-visual tools and literature.

2). By organising internal idea competitions in schools and the schools can nominate 5 best original ideas/innovations of students, in any Indian language, by the respective Principal/Headmaster online through E-MIAS (E-Management of INSPIRE Awards MANAK Scheme) portal. The schools have to register themselves on E-MIAS portal. Short- listing of top 1,00,000 (one lakh) ideas, with potential to address societal needs through Science & Technology by NIF.

3). Disbursement of INSPIRE Award of INR 10,000 into the bank accounts of short-listed students through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) scheme.

4). By organising District Level Exhibition and Project Competition (DLEPC) by District/State authorities and short- listing of 10,000 best ideas/innovations for State Level Exhibition and Project Competitions (SLEPC).

5). By organising of State Level Exhibition & Project Competition (SLEPC) for further short-listing of top 1,000 ideas/innovations for the National Level Exhibition and Project Competition (NLEPC). At this stage, NIF will provide mentoring support to students for development of prototypes, in coordination with reputed academic and technology institutions of the country.

6). Selection of ideas/innovations will be based on novelty, social applicability, environment friendliness, user friendliness and comparative advantage over the existing similar technologies.

7). Showcasing 1,000 best ideas/innovations at the National Level Exhibition & Project Competition (NLEPC) and short-listing of top 60 innovations for national awards and future direction.

8). Consideration of top 60 ideas/innovations by NIF for product/process development and their linkage with other schemes of NIF/DST and their display at the Annual Festival of Innovation & Entrepreneurship (FINE).

                                             The INSPIRE Programme.

The INSPIRE programme has three components:
(i) Scheme for Early Attraction of Talent  (SEATS): This Scheme for Early Attraction of Talent (SEATS) aims to attract talented youth to study science by providing INSPIRE Award of Rs 5000 to one million young learners of the age group 10-15 years, ranging from Class VI to Class X standards, and also by arranging summer camps for about 50,000 science students of Class XI with global leaders in science to experience the joy of innovations on an annual basis through INSPIRE Internship.

(ii) Scholarship for Higher Education (SHE): The Scholarship for Higher Education (SHE) aims to enhance rates of attachment of talented youth to undertake higher education in science intensive programmes, by providing scholarships and mentorship. The scheme offers 10,000 Scholarship every year at Rs 0.80 lakh per year for the talented youth in the age group 17-22 years, for undertaking Bachelor and Masters level education in natural sciences. The main feature of the scheme is the mentorship support provided to every scholar.
 (iii) Assured Opportunity for Research Careers (AORC): This aims to attract, attach, retain and nourish talented young scientific Human Resource for strengthening the R&D foundation and base. It has two sub-components. In the first component i.e. INSPIRE Fellowship (age group of 22-27 years), it offers 1000 fellowships every year, for carrying out doctoral degree in both basic and applied sciences including engineering and medicine. In the second component i.e. INSPIRE Faculty Scheme, it offers assured opportunity every year for 1000 post- doctoral researchers in the age group of 27-32 years, through contractual and tenure track positions for 5 years in both basic a basic and applied sciences area.

The INSPIRE scheme

Who can apply for Inspire Fellowship?

Candidates who are Indian Citizens and have acquired their eligibility for INSPIRE Fellowship during last year (2018) or current year (2019) are eligible to apply. The students who are already enjoying Senior Research Fellowship (SRF) or higher position in any project or otherwise are not eligible to apply for this.

Can anybody apply for Inspire after B.Sc.?

Candidates are eligible to apply for INSPIRE programme if they: Are a part of the top 1% students in their Class 12 board exams and are studying Natural and Basic Sciences at B.Sc. level or Integrated M.Sc. level.

Who can apply for Inspire Fellowship?

Candidates who are Indian Citizens and have acquired their eligibility for INSPIRE Fellowship during last year (2019) or current year (2020) are eligible to apply. The students who are already enjoying Senior Research Fellowship (SRF) or higher position in any project or otherwise are not eligible to apply for this.

Is there any provision of Inspire Fellowship for PhD aspirant?

Yes, there is good and handsome amount of Fellowship for the eligible PhD aspirant, to be given as consolidated amount per month and a Research Grant annually for 5 years.

Contact for more details thorough website: www.inspireawards-dst.gov.in