Sarkari Yojana
Back-To-Lab Post-Doctoral Fellowship Programme
About Back-To-Lab Post-Doctoral Fellowship Programme
Run by the Women Scientists Division, the “Back-to-Lab” programme grants Research and Post-Doctoral Fellowships to women whose careers have been interrupted, helping them return to scientific research. The fellowship usually lasts 2 years. It is meant for unemployed women who are permanent residents of Kerala and hold a PhD in Science or Engineering, and its goal is to help women after a career break get back into research through a Post-Doctoral Fellowship. The Back-To-Lab Post-Doctoral Fellowship Programme supports women in Science in Kerala. It tackles the low representation of women in higher academics and professional careers, especially in Science, by helping them return after career breaks caused by family responsibilities. Greater involvement of women in Science is socially important, particularly in a developing economy, and the programme also strengthens the quality of Science research by making effective use of available human talent. Necessary conditions as per the scheme:
- The researcher must work under a Scientist Mentor who is regular faculty/staff at the institution and has 5 or more years of service remaining before retirement. The Scientist Mentor must regularly track project progress, ensure the programme runs smoothly, and make sure the institute sends financial utilization certificates to KSCSTE on time.
- A Post-Doctoral Fellow drawing financial assistance/stipend from any other State/Central funding agency or source cannot hold the KSCSTE Back-to-Lab Post-Doctoral Fellowship at the same time, and must give an undertaking confirming she receives no concurrent financial assistance/stipend.
- The host Institute must supply complete infrastructure, including laboratory, computer, library, communication, accommodation, water and electricity, so the project runs smoothly.
- Any unspent grant (plus accrued interest) at the close of the project must be returned to the Council by DD drawn in favour of Member Secretary, KSCSTE.
- Any technical/ scientific papers published from work done under the project must acknowledge KSCSTE’s support.
- The Post-Doctoral Fellow must not collaborate with a foreign party (individual/ industry) without the Council’s prior approval.
Scheme Overview
State Government
Kerala State Council For Science, Technology And Environment
Individual
Scheme Details
Eligibility Requirements
To qualify for Back-To-Lab Post-Doctoral Fellowship Programme, applicants must satisfy the following conditions:
The fellowship is open to women candidates only
The fellowship is open to women candidates only.
The applicant must be a Permanent Resident of…
The applicant must be a Permanent Resident of Kerala.
When applying, the applicant must be unemployed and…
When applying, the applicant must be unemployed and on a career break owing to family commitments or similar reasons.
The applicant must not be drawing emoluments from…
The applicant must not be drawing emoluments from any source when applying.
Anyone who earlier received the KSCSTE Back-to-Lab Fellowship…
Anyone who earlier received the KSCSTE Back-to-Lab Fellowship for a PhD programme cannot apply.
Age limit
Age limit: 40 years as on the application date, with relaxation of 3 years for OBC and 5 years for SC/ST.
The applicant must hold a Ph.D
The applicant must hold a Ph.D. in Science/Engineering subjects.
The applicant must have obtained at least 60%…
The applicant must have obtained at least 60% marks in post-graduation.
The applicant must have selected a Research Centre…
The applicant must have selected a Research Centre institution, subject to these conditions.
It must be different from the Ph.D. Research Centre.
It must be an R&D institution (National/State level) or a University Department in Kerala classed as a “Government Institution” [premier National Institutions outside the State, such as IISER, IIT, IISc. etc., are also considered].
The applicant must have at least one research…
The applicant must have at least one research paper published in a SCI Journal or a patent secured.
Anyone who has already held a Post-Doctoral Fellowship…
Anyone who has already held a Post-Doctoral Fellowship from KSCSTE or elsewhere cannot apply.
Benefits Provided
Back-To-Lab Post-Doctoral Fellowship Programme provides the following benefits to eligible applicants:
Fellows receive ₹45,000/- + 10% HRA every month,…
Fellows receive ₹45,000/- + 10% HRA every month, plus a contingency grant of ₹75,000/- per year.
The fellowship runs for no more than 2…
The fellowship runs for no more than 2 years.
Documents Required
Applicants should keep the following documents ready before starting the application:
A valid identity proof of the applicant
A valid identity proof of the applicant
A photograph of the applicant
A photograph of the applicant
Date of Birth proof (anyone seeking age relaxation…
Date of Birth proof (anyone seeking age relaxation must also submit proof of reservation category)
Evidence of permanent residence in Kerala
Evidence of permanent residence in Kerala
Post-graduation marks sheet and degree certificate
Post-graduation marks sheet and degree certificate
Doctoral (Ph.D.) degree certificate
Doctoral (Ph.D.) degree certificate
Certificate of work and research experience
Certificate of work and research experience
Reprints of the most recent research publications in…
Reprints of the most recent research publications in SCI indexed journals (full-length papers, up to 2 nos)
Break in Career certificate (only for ‘Back-to-lab’ applicants)
Break in Career certificate (only for ‘Back-to-lab’ applicants)
Applicant's biodata with publication list, and biodata of…
Applicant's biodata with publication list, and biodata of the Scientist Mentor (each within 2 pages)
Applicant's declaration
Scientist Mentor's consent
Host Institution Head's endorsement
How to Apply
Online Application
Applicants can apply for Back-To-Lab Post-Doctoral Fellowship Programme through the online application process outlined below.
Application Process
Eligible candidates can submit new applications online through the KSCSTE web portal at: www.submit.kscste.kerala.gov.in Scrutiny of the Application: An initial scrutiny checks the basic eligibility conditions and the supporting documents. Peer review: Each eligible application is reviewed by five subject experts in the relevant research area. Only proposals receiving at least three reviews graded above 5 (on a 10 point scale) move forward. Presentation before Expert Committee: Proposals clearing peer review are called to present before the Research Advisory Committee, where one or two reviewers act as additional Subject Experts. If the RAC recommends favourably, KSCSTE considers the proposal for funding. Applicants are informed of the outcome and asked to sign an Agreement in line with the scheme guidelines Contact Details: The Head, Women Scientists Division Kerala State Council of Science, Technology and Environment Sasthra Bhavan, Pattom (P.O), Thiruvananthapuram – 695 004 Ph: 0471 2548208, Fax: 0471 2540085, 2534605 E-mail: womenscientistkerala@gmail.com For queries: E-mail : wsd.kscste@kerala.gov.in, womenscientistkerala@gmail.com, wsd1kscste@gmail.com Tel: 0471- 2548208, 0471- 2548346
Official Application & Website
Verify the latest eligibility, dates and instructions before applying.