Karyashala
‘KARYASHALA’ is an effort to improve research productivity of promising PG and PhD students from universities and colleges through high-end workshops on specific themes. This program aims to provide opportunities to acquire specialized research skills. These workshops will primarily be facilitated at organizations / institutions / laboratories of national importance such as IITs, IISc, IISERs, NITs, CSIR, ICAR, ICMR etc.
OBJECTIVE
‘KARYASHALA’ is aimed to provide hands-on experience to the students primarily from universities, colleges, private academic institutions, and newly established institutes in handling/troubleshooting of high-end scientific instruments and such skill development on themes required for research work.
SCOPE
The program is meant to support motivated PG, PhD and UG 4th-year level students, who are having a strong willingness to get excellence in their scientific and engineering research pursuits. However, the support will not be directly provided to the beneficiaries, but through the Event Organizers applying for and coordinating these events on behalf of SERB.
ELIGIBILITY
SUGGESTED TOPICS
Hands-on Training on High-End Scientific Equipment
Handling Data and Information
Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML)
Statistical Tools and Modelling
Remote Sensing and GIS Applications
Clean Air and Potable Water
Food and Nutritional Security
Healthcare and Public Hygiene
Energy
Technologies for Habitat
Creative Livelihood Technologies
Efficient Transportation
Public Safety and Security
Disaster and Climate Resilience
Eco-Friendly Conservation of Natural Resources
Responsible Conduct in Research
Written & Oral Effective Science Communication
General Laboratory Management
NATURE OF SUPPORT
DURATION AND CERTIFICATION
HOW TO APPLY
FORMATS
Mandatory Documents to be uploaded with the application
GUIDELINES
(a) After Completion
After completion of the workshop, the following documents need to be submitted online by the Supervisor / Event Organizer:
(b) Engagement
The participants (students) would be attached to Faculty(ies) / Expert(s) / Scientist(s) of the institute for the entire period of workshop. During this period, students will be accountable to the Event Organizers
For Event Organizer (EO)
Q1: What can be the typical duration of a high-end workshop?
Ans: A typical duration of each high-end workshop will be at least 1 week but not more than 2 weeks.
Q2: How one can apply to conduct the high-end workshop?
Ans: The proposal can be submitted online mode only when the call for proposal is on.
Q3: What kind of support does ' KAARYASHALA' provide?
Ans: ‘KARYASHALA’ is meant for skill development training on topics required for scientific research work. The suggestive skill development focus will be as follows:
Q4: When can the proposal be submitted to organize a High-End Workshop event?
Ans: The invitation for proposals to organize a High-End Workshop event is against the call. In a calendar year, the applications will be invited two times for holding High-End Workshop events under the KARYASHALA program, in the month of May for the winter (November - January) and in the month of November for the next summer season (May - July).
Q5: What documents should be submitted along with the application?
Ans: The following mandatory documents to be submitted/uploaded with the application
Q6: Can I organize two High-End Workshop programs in a calendar year?
Ans: Yes, once the accounts of earlier High-End Workshop are settled and closed successfully, you may put up a proposal for the next High-End Workshop event against the succeeding calls for applications.
Q7: Can I apply for two or more applications under High-End Workshop programs having different themes/subjects against the same call?
Ans: No, the applicants are encouraged to apply one application at a time against one call.
Q8: How many students can I propose at the time of applying for funding to organize a High-End Workshop?
Ans: An event organizer can propose upto maximum of 25 (twenty-five) students at a time in the proposal.
Q9: How the Event Organizer will select the students for an approved High-End Workshop?
Ans: The selection of the eligible students for High-End Workshops will be done based on the recommendations of the Selection Committee constituted for this purpose by the host institutions.
Q10: If my application is approved for funding; will I get the same amount as requested at the time of submission of the application?
Ans: There is no guarantee of same. The approved amount depends on many factors, including the availability of the funds. However, the final recommendations would be made by the ABHYAAS Expert Committee (AEC).
Q11: Can I get the approved funds in a bank other than institute’s bank account?
Ans: No, the approved funds would be released in the favour of the institute’s bank accounts only and the account details should be authorized by the head of the institute and verified by the issuer bank.
Q12: Are the non-central government institutes eligible to apply for financial assistance to organize a High-End Workshop?
Ans: The Accelerate Vigyan is looking forward to the proposals from institutions/universities/laboratories of higher learning, research & eminence. If your organization has proven expertise track record in these aspects, one may apply. The merit of the proposal will be assessed for funding by the respective ABHYAAS Expert Committee (AEC) constituted for the purpose. In essence, the host institution would be decided on the basis of the sole criteria of the basic objectives of the program.
Q13: I am working as an Assistant Professor on ad-hoc/contractual basis in a State Govt. University. Can I apply for financial assistance to organize a High-End Workshop program?
Ans: No, only regular employees (Faculty/Scientists) working in the institute can submit their applications through proper channel to seek financial assistance to organize a High-End Workshop event/program.
Q14: If I get a new job in another institute, can I organize approved event from SERB (Accelerate Vigyan) in the new institute? If yes, then what is the procedure to do so?
Ans: The approved event needs to be organized at the host institute only for which it was originally approved. If the EO gets a new job in another institute, then he has to withdraw the approved event and return the funds, if already transferred, as unspent balance, to the SERB. In order to organize a High-End Workshop in the new institute, the EO needs to submit a fresh application against the call for applications, whenever announced.
Q15: Can I use complete/partial approved funds for the High-End Workshop to purchase an equipment to provide a hands-on-training to the students in the scheduled workshop?
Ans: No, the approved fund is mainly meant for students meeting of their daily necessary expenses such as stationary, consumables, accommodation, food etc. and TA reimbursement for their journey to the host institute from their hometown / home institute, both ways, as per GOI norms. It is also to cater to the TA/DA and honorarium to the outside experts as per standard norms / guidelines of SERB. However, as far as possible, the honorarium by the experts could be declined by them, treating this noble contribution as scientific social responsibility while imparting the requisite knowledge / skills to the students.
Q16: Can I organize a High-End Workshop in collaboration with another or multiple institutes?
Ans: You may collaborate; however, the application should be submitted by an individual from one organizing institute only and the funds will be disbursed to the host institute only.
Q17: Can I organize a High-End Workshop on different theme which is not listed in the suggested topics section?
Ans: The High-End Workshops are meant to be funded by AV in the listed themes (but not, necessarily restricted to the suggested list on the Accelerate Vigyan portal) at any institute / university / laboratory of eminence who have proven expertise track record in that aspect.
Q18: Can I conduct a High-End Workshop through webinar/online mode due to the COVID-19 pandemic situation?
Ans: It can be decided based on the course content & feasibility to organize the proposed workshop online, as well as on the recommendation of the Abhyaas Expert Committee (AEC).
For Students
Q1: How can a student participate in a High-End Workshop?
Ans: The eligible PG, PhD and UG 4th-year level students shall apply for the High-End Workshops through Event Organizers (EOs) only, against the call for applications. These calls will be advertised by the EOs through different mechanisms as deemed fit, but importantly these will be posted at “Accelerate Vigyan” web portal under the section “Upcoming Events”. The students however will apply directly to the EOs after the calls for applications are given by the latter.
Q2: What’s the purpose of ‘Register as Student’ on AV portal?
Ans: The students have been invited by the Accelerate Vigyan to get registered themselves through the ‘Register as Student’ option provided on login page of AV portal, to facilitate their participation in “Vigyan Varta” section of the Accelerate Vigyan Portal for seeking valuable inputs, suggestions and constructive feedback about the events, programs and scheme itself, with an aim to continue improve upon its existing systems, processes and structures. As the Accelerate Vigyan scheme evolves further over a period of time, students will witness greater participation, involvement and facilitation of funding itself through the portal.
Q3: Can I apply for a High-End Workshop which is scheduled to be organized in the institute where I am currently doing Ph.D.?
Ans: No, as a matter of principle, one cannot apply for an approved High-End Workshop in the same institute where he/she is studying. The exceptions could be decided based on the merits of the case.
Q4: Can a student organize a High-End Workshop?
Ans: No, only faculty/scientist on regular employment is eligible to apply for financial assistance to organize a High-End Workshop.
Q5: I am currently engaged as a Ph.D. scholar in the final year and take lectures/classes time to time in the department. Can I apply for funding to organize a High-End Workshop program?
Ans: No, only faculty/scientist working on regular basis in institutes is eligible to apply for financial assistance to organize a High-End Workshop.
Q6: Who are going to be major beneficiaries?
Ans: The aim is to give an opportunity to the students from universities / institutes / colleges who do not have an access and exposure to such facilities and environment.
Q7: Does this workshop programme give assurance of a research position / job?
Ans: No, the workshop is only to support / train potential potential PG, PhD and UG 4th-year level students to acquire essential research skills. It does provide the certification to the student of such acquired skills, but not any assurance of position.