Entrepreneurship Development by SC & ST Women in Science Technology Engineering Mathematics

Applicants must be Indian citizens and SC &…

Applicants must be Indian citizens and SC & ST women working in the Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics (STEM) fields of Kerala State.

For financial support under the programme, the upper…

For financial support under the programme, the upper age limit is set at ≥50 years.

A Ph.D

A Ph.D. in Science, Technology or Engineering, or an M.Sc. in Basic Science/Natural Science, or an M.Tech in Science/Technology /Engineering is required.

Applicants must first identify a host Institution and…

Applicants must first identify a host Institution and a mentor. As an alternative, the Head of an S&T Institution in Kerala may nominate the candidate.

Eligible host institutions include Academic Institutions (Central and…

Eligible host institutions include Academic Institutions (Central and state), University Departments, Colleges recognized with R&D facilities, DSIR-recognized institutions in Kerala, and Institutions having suitable R&D facilities. The mentor must be a regular faculty member of the host institute.

The application form and supporting documents must be…

The application form and supporting documents must be uploaded in PDF format while the call for applications is open.

Having a Co-mentor is encouraged; the Co-mentor, whether…

Having a Co-mentor is encouraged; the Co-mentor, whether from the host institution or another Organization, should have experience in creating enterprises.

A selected applicant must report to the host…

A selected applicant must report to the host institute within 15 days of the initial grant being received from KSCSTE.

A grant of ₹20 Lakhs, inclusive of institutional…

A grant of ₹20 Lakhs, inclusive of institutional overheads, is provided for a one-year period.

The grant pays for

The grant pays for: a Fellowship of ₹35,000/- per month + 10% HRA (for M.Sc & M.Tech holders) or ₹45,000/- per month + HRA (for Ph.D. holders); Capital Cost ≤ 25% of project cost (covering minor equipment, infrastructure, rent ); Operational Cost ≤ 30% of project cost (consumables & outsourced Services cost); and contingency ≤, besides institutional overhead (≤10%- capped at ₹1.00 Lakh only).

Phase one

Phase one: once the host institution informs KSCSTE that the programme has begun, the Full Capital Cost, six months' fellowship, 50% of the Operational Cost and 50% of the Institutional overhead are released to the host institution.

Phase two

Phase two: after the programme is evaluated at 6 months, 30% of the grant is released (excluding institutional overhead).

Phase three

Phase three: the balance 20% of the grant plus the remaining 50% of institutional overhead is released on successful completion of the programme, submission of the relevant documents to KSCSTE, and an onsite evaluation.

Institutional overhead (10% of project cost) cannot exceed…

Institutional overhead (10% of project cost) cannot exceed ₹1.00 Lakh only.

Across all subject areas, a maximum of 3…

Across all subject areas, a maximum of 3 - 5 grants are awarded each year. Note: Extending the programme beyond one year is discouraged. A no-cost extension may be allowed only in rare, exceptional cases based on need and progress, and any such extension cannot exceed six months.

1

1. Proof of the applicant's identity Technical Document (no more than 3-4 pages) Biodata detailing the applicant's profile Letter of endorsement issued by the Head of Institution Letter of consent from the Mentor, and from the Co-Mentor where applicable Undertaking signed by the Project Scientist (after joining) Certificate proving age (Class X mark sheet or birth certificate) SC/ST Certificate issued by the Tahsildar Letter from the Head of Institution (needed only where the application reaches KSCSTE through nomination by the Head of Institution)