Science Promotion
Objective
The Academy has been supporting basic and applied research in India since its inception. The type and quantum of support has changed over the years with the emergence of funding agencies of the Government of India that support scientific research.
Presently the Academy supports individual scientists through the following programmes: INSA Distinguished Professorship; INSA Senior Scientist Programme; INSA Honorary Scientist Programme and INSA Emeritus Scientist Programme. These programs are for superannuated Fellows of the Academy to enable them to continue contributing towards building capacity in research and education in India.
The Academy provides partial financial assistance for organizing international/national conferences, symposia, and seminars in India. Under INSA Visiting Scientist Programme, it also offers support for specialized training or to conduct advanced research in any Indian research institutes/laboratories.
INSA Distinguished Professorship
The Academy initiated Ten Professorial Chairs named as ‘INSA Distinguished Professors’ from January 1, 2018. Each Professorship is awarded in recognition of outstanding contributions to Science & Engineering and is attached to a Research Institution/ University/ R&D Centre in India.
Eligibility:
· Superannuated Fellows of INSA working in India with no other source of support (besides pension) will be eligible.
· The Maximum upper age limit for availing INSA Distinguished Professorship is 75 years.
· Fellows having any position with regular Honorarium/Fellowship/ Salary will not be eligible
Number of Chairs:
There will be a total of 10 Professorial Chairs.
Duration:
The Chairs have a tenure of three years. Selected Distinguished Professors must join within a period of six months from the date of the offer letter.
Financial Commitment:
The Professorship shall carry an honorarium of Rs.1.00 lakh per month. In addition, a sum of Rs.2.00 lakhs per annum will be provided as contingency.
· The contingency grant can be utilized for purchase of equipment for research, including desktop computer/laptop, printer, scanner, camera, secretarial assistance, stationery, communication expenses, work related travel (within India and abroad), registration fees, per diem, accommodation etc. as per the norms of their host institute. Items purchased out of the contingency grant will be the property of host institute after completion of the tenure of the Professorship.
· In case INSA Distinguished Professors wants to retain any of the above items purchased under contingency head he/she may pay 10% of the actual cost of the item to the host institute provided these items are purchased within the first two years of the programme.
Leave:
60 days in a year with honorarium, whether in India or abroad.
Announcement:
The President will present the names of the scientists, selected with the help of a committee constituted for the purpose, for approval of the Council. The awardee/s will be announced in the subsequent General Body Meeting. The award offer will remain valid for six months from the date of the offer made by the Academy.
Obligations:
· The host institution shall provide the working facilities to INSA Distinguished Professors. The funds will be drawn by the institution from INSA.
· The host Institution shall submit audited statement of accounts and utilization certificate to INSA.
· The intellectual property rights arising out of the work of the awardee will be governed by the norms of the host institution.
· The INSA Distinguished Professorship should be acknowledged in all publications.
· The awardees shall present to the Academy a detailed yearly report of the work done during the year along with a statement of expenditure, to continue receiving the grant for the next year.
· At the end of their tenure the awardee shall write a comprehensive report in the form of a review article for publication in the Academy’s Proceedings.
· Final adjustment/settlement of accounts should be done within 60 days of the end of the award.
· She/He may also be invited to deliver a talk during one of the INSA meetings after completion of their tenure as INSA Distinguished Professors.
· All INSA Distinguished Professors are expected to participate in outreach programmes for school and college students as part of the award.
· These regulations may be revised or amended by the Council of INSA at any time.
INSA Senior Scientists Programme
In 1985 the Academy instituted the “INSA Senior Scientist” programme for active superannuated Fellows of the Academy to continue working and teaching in recognized Universities/ Research Institutions/ R&D Centres in India.
Name of the Programme:
“INSA Senior Scientist” and the Awardee is ‘INSA Senior Scientist’.
Objectives:
To enable Fellows active in research and teaching to continue working in a recognized University/ Research Institute/ R&D Centre in India after superannuation.
Eligibility:
Superannuated INSA Fellows working in India.
Fellows having a position with regular honorarium/fellowship/ salary will not be eligible.
Number of Positions:
The maximum number of positions is 85.
Tenure:
· The term of an INSA Senior Scientist is for a period of three years. It is extendable for another two years after a review of the performance during the initial three-year period.
· Selected Fellows have to join within a period of six months from the date of issue of the offer letter.
· Fellows who accept the INSA Senior Scientists position and leave before completing the normal tenure of three years may also apply as fresh applicants, however, their total tenure to avail of the fellowship will remain the same as per the INSA guidelines. If they leave the position twice, they will be debarred for the remaining period
Financial Commitment:
The honorarium of INSA Senior Scientist is Rs. 50,000/- per month and the contingency is Rs. 1,00,000/- per annum w.e.f., 1st January, 2024. The funds will be drawn by the host institution where the Senior Scientist works. In case, there are fund constraints, the number of fellowships to be offered will be reduced.
· The contingency grant can be utilized for purchase of any equipment required for research, including desktop, laptop, iPad, printer, scanner, camera, secretarial assistance, stationery, communication expenses, travel (within India and abroad), airfare, registration fee, perdiem, accommodation etc. as per the norms of the host Institute. Items purchased out of the contingency grant will be the property of host Institute after the completion of project of INSA Senior Scientist.
· In case, INSA Senior Scientist wants to retain any of the above items purchased out of contingency grant he/she may pay 10% of the actual cost of the item to the host institute provided the items were purchased within the first two years of the programme.
· The number of INSA Senior Scientist to be selected each year is decided by the Council based on the availability of funds.
Application and Selection:
A proposal in a prescribed form for the Senior Scientist position will be invited from Fellows of the Academy.
The proposal duly completed in all respects, signed, and endorsed from the Head of the Institution where a scientist intends to work, should be submitted online to the Academy. The proposals received will be examined and considered by the advisory committee of the science promotion.
The award offer will remain valid for six months from the date on which the offer is made by the Academy. Otherwise, the selected scientist will apply afresh for consideration of the Academy.
Renewal and Reports:
Senior Scientists will submit an Annual Report of their research work in a prescribed format at the end of the year along with a statement of expenditure, to continue the grant for the next year. At the end of their tenure, the Senior Scientist is required to submit a consolidated Technical Report of their work in a prescribed format.
Leave:
60 days in a year with honorarium whether in India or abroad.
Obligations:
· INSA Senior Scientist position will be administered through the organization to which the Fellow is affiliated.
· The host Institution shall submit audited statement of accounts and utilization certificate to INSA.
· The position will stand terminated from the date the INSA Senior Scientist accepts any regular paid position.
· Support under the INSA Senior Scientist Programme should be acknowledged in all publications.
· Final adjustment/settlement of accounts should be done within a period of 60 days of completion/termination of the position.
· The intellectual property rights arising out of the work of the Senior Scientist will be governed by the norms of the host institution.
· These regulations may be revised or amended by the Council at any time.
INSA Honorary Scientist Programme
In May 2000 the Academy instituted the “INSA Honorary Scientist Programme” for active superannuated Fellows of the Academy, involved in high quality research in their specialized disciplines, to continue working and teaching in recognized Institutions/ Universities/ R&D Centres in India.
Objective:
To enable active superannuated Fellows of INSA, to continue contributing to research and teaching.
Name of the Programme:
‘INSA Honorary Scientist’
Eligibility:
Superannuated INSA Fellows working in India.
Number of Positions:
The number of INSA Honorary Scientist to be selected each year will be decided by the council.
Tenure:
· The term of an INSA Honorary Scientist is for a period of three years, extendable for another two years after a review of the performance.
· Selected Fellows have to join within a period of six months from the date of issue of the offer letter.
Financial Commitment:
Contingency grant of Rs. 1,00,000/- per annum will be released in one instalment through the host institution.
· The contingency grant can be utilized for purchase of any equipment required for research, including desktop, laptop, iPad, printer, scanner, camera, secretarial assistance, stationery, communication expenses, travel (within India and abroad), airfare, registration fee, per diem, accommodation etc. as per the norms of the host Institute. Items purchased out of the contingency grant will be the property of host Institute on the completion of the programme.
· In case INSA Honorary Scientists wish to retain any of the above items purchased out of contingency grant they may pay 10% of the actual cost of the item to the host institute provided these items are purchased within the first two years of the programme.
Application:
Superannuated INSA Fellows may apply online for the position of Honorary Scientist with a proposed plan of work and a letter of endorsement from the host institute.
Joining:
Selected Fellows have to join within a period of six months from the date of issue of the offer letter.
Progress Report and Renewal of Position:
Honorary Scientist will submit a report of his/her work in the prescribed format after completion of each year along with utilization certificate and request for continuation of the grant.
Obligations:
· INSA Honorary scientist position will be administered through the organization to which the fellow is affiliated.
· The host Institution shall submit audited statement of accounts and utilization certificate to INSA.
· The position will stand terminated from the date the Honorary Scientist accepts any paid position.
· Support under the INSA Honorary Scientist Programme should be acknowledged in all publications.
· Final adjustment/settlement of accounts should be done within a period of 60 days of completion/termination of position.
· Council is empowered to amend any of the regulations.
Organisation Of International/National Conferences, Symposia, Seminars, Winter/Summer Schools In India
Organized by the Academy:
In case of an event solely organised by the Academy, INSA would undertake full responsibility for organisation of seminar.
International Conferences, Symposia sponsored by ICSU:
The proposals for holding General Assemblies, International Conferences or Symposia, etc. emanating from the National Committees of the various International Scientific Unions get due consideration. Such conferences have the sponsorship of the International Scientific Union/ Committees on the subject concerned. These proposals should have the approval of the ICSU National Committee of the Academy. The topics of deliberations should be of purely scientific importance. The proposals for these conferences must be received about four months in advance of the actual date of the conference, for consideration of grant.
Partial Financial Assistance for holding National/International Conference/Seminar in India:
The Academy provides partial financial support of Rs. 1,00,000/- each to a maximum of 40 conferences from the Financial Year 2023-24 for National / International conferences/symposia/seminars/summer/winter schools. However, the number of sanctions may be increased depending upon the availability of funds. An additional partial support of Rs. 1,00,000/- up to maximum five conferences per financial year will be considered with proper justification before the selection committee.
An advertisement inviting applications for holding seminars/conferences will be made twice a year on INSA Website and selection committee meeting will be convened accordingly.
For any assistance, Please E-mail sciprom@insa.nic.in or contact: 9650970101
INSA Visiting Scientist Programme
For visiting Indian research institutes/laboratories for specialized training in advanced research areas.
Name of the Programme:
‘INSA-Visiting Scientist Programme’ and the awardee shall be designated, ‘INSA Visiting Scientist’
Objectives:
To further research capabilities in specific techniques/applications or utilizing facilities not available in the home institution. Book writing is not permitted under this programme.
Number of Awards:
The number of INSA-Visiting Scientist positions to be awarded each year will be a maximum of 120 human months.
Financial Commitment
During the fellowship period, awardees will be paid a consolidated amount up to Rs.30,000/- per month to cover expenses related to boarding, lodging, and incidental etc. The travel expenditure from parent to the visiting institute will be reimbursed separately on the production of tickets as per the entitlement of the Visiting Scientist from FY 2024-25 as per the central govt. TA rules.
Duration:
The visiting position shall be availed to a scientist for a minimum period of one month to a maximum of six months in a laboratory or a research institution in a location in India.
Mode of Selection:
Applications in the prescribed format will be invited through open advertisement every year (January/February) and selection will be made during March/April.
Application Process:
· The applicants would be required to provide a concise account of their plan of work/ study and a CV highlighting their achievements. It would be desirable that the applicant should have approached the host institution and the scientist concerned to ascertain their concurrence for her/his visit.
· The applicant should be a Scientist/Faculty in a University, an affiliated College, a Research institution or an R&D Centre in India. Applicants should not have availed INSA Visiting Scientist Programme in the last one year.
· Candidates should apply online on the prescribed application form available on the Academy website. The decision of the Academy will be communicated during April/May of the following year.
INSA Honorary Scientist without Honorarium and Contingency
To encourage superannuated fellows to be scientifically active and want to affiliate with an Institute, instead of INSA Emeritus Scientist, Fellows should get INSA Honorary Scientist Award without any Honorarium. The changes of nomenclature from INSA Emeritus Scientist to INSA Honorary Scientist is w.e.f., 12th September, 2023.
The position, offered for life, carries no contingency / honorarium. Fellows desiring to avail INSA Honorary Scientist Award without any Honorarium, may write to President, INSA.