₹20 Lakh Grant for SC & ST Women in STEM – Apply for WISTEM Now!Scheme StatusScheme Status

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The Entrepreneurship Development by SC & ST Women in Science Technology Engineering Mathematics (ED/SC-ST-WISTEM) programme aims to explore entrepreneurship potential and improve livelihood options for unemployed Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe (SC & ST) women in STEM fields. It leverages science, technology, and innovation to transform these women into techno-entrepreneurs.

Objective

The programme’s primary objective is to create opportunities for unemployed SC & ST women in STEM areas to become techno-entrepreneurs and improve their livelihood through innovative applications of science and technology. The focus is on fostering enterprise creation in the following areas:

  1. Indigenous/traditional knowledge practices

  2. Agriculture (including bio-inputs, pest and disease control, and value addition)

  3. Food, nutrition, and health (covering pharmaceuticals and health products)

  4. Waste management, recycling, and bioremediation

  5. Electrical and electronic utility items

Benefits

The total financial support provided is ₹20 Lakhs (including institutional overheads) for one year. The grant is structured as follows:

  1. Fellowship Payments:

    • M.Sc. & M.Tech candidates receive ₹35,000 per month plus 10% HRA.

    • Ph.D. candidates receive ₹45,000 per month plus HRA.

  2. Cost Components:

    • Capital Cost: Up to 25% of the project cost, covering minor equipment, infrastructure, and rent.

    • Operational Cost: Up to 30% of the project cost for consumables and outsourced services.

    • Contingency: Capped at ₹1.00 Lakh (excluding institutional overhead).

  3. Disbursement Phases:

    • Phase 1: At programme implementation, the host institution receives the full capital cost, six months of fellowship, and 50% each of the operational cost and institutional overhead upon notifying KSCSTE.

    • Phase 2: After six months of evaluation, 30% of the grant (without institutional overhead) is released.

    • Phase 3: On successful completion and after submission of all required documents and an onsite evaluation, the remaining 20% of the grant plus 50% of the institutional overhead is released.

The institutional overhead is fixed at 10% of the project cost, with a maximum limit of ₹1.00 Lakh, and a maximum of 3 to 5 grants will be awarded per year. Financial support is provided for one year, with no-cost extensions considered only in rare, exceptional cases (up to six months).

Eligibility

Applicants must meet the following criteria:

  1. Citizenship & Demographics:

    • Must be an Indian citizen and a SC & ST woman in STEM areas within Kerala State.

    • The upper age limit is 50 years.

  2. Educational Qualifications:

    • Either a Ph.D. in Science, Technology, or Engineering, or

    • An M.Sc. in Basic/Natural Science, or

    • An M.Tech in Science, Technology, or Engineering.

  3. Affiliation & Mentorship:

    • Applicants should identify a host institution and mentor, or they may apply via nomination by the Head of S&T Institutions in Kerala.

    • Host institutions can include academic or R&D institutions, universities, DSIR-recognized centres, or any institution with appropriate R&D facilities.

    • The mentor must be a regular faculty member, and co-mentorship is encouraged if the co-mentor has enterprise creation experience.

  4. Post-Selection Requirement:

    • The selected candidate must join the host institution within 15 days of receiving the initial grant from KSCSTE.

All applications, including the required documents, must be submitted in PDF format during the call opening period.

Application Process

The application process is conducted online, and can be summarized in the following steps:

  1. Notification & Submission:

    • The call for applications is announced through print media, the KSCSTE website (www.kscste.kerala.gov.in), and social media.

    • Applications are submitted via web links provided in the notification or through nomination by the Head of S&T Institutions.

  2. Nomination (if applicable):

    • If applying by nomination, the applicant must provide technical documents, recommendation letters from the Head of the Institution, and any other required documents to KSCSTE.

    • Institutional authorities are notified about the nomination process in advance.

  3. Selection:

    • An Expert Committee evaluates the nominations based on the merit of the proposals. Key evaluation criteria include the solution’s need, social/commercial potential, technical viability, team strength, business plan, and Technology Readiness Level (TRL) with measurable indicators.

    • Final selection is subject to recommendations by the Expert Committee and approval from KSCSTE’s competent authorities.

Note: Applications not adhering to the guidelines will be summarily rejected.

Documents Required

Applicants must submit the following documents:

  1. Identity proof of the applicant

  2. A technical document (maximum 3-4 pages)

  3. Biodata of the applicant

  4. Endorsement letter from the Head of the Institution

  5. Consent letter from the Mentor and Co-Mentor (if applicable)

  6. Undertaking of Project Scientist (post joining)

  7. Age proof certificate (Class X mark sheet or birth certificate)

  8. SC/ST certificate from the Tahsildar

  9. Letter from the Head of the Institution (if applying via nomination)

Frequently Asked Questions

  1. What is the aim of the programme?
    To explore entrepreneurship potential and improve livelihood options for unemployed SC & ST women in STEM.

  2. What is the objective of the programme?
    To enable SC & ST women in STEM to become techno-entrepreneurs through innovative use of science and technology.

  3. Which agency implements this programme?
    The programme is implemented by KSCSTE.

  4. Who is eligible to apply?
    Indian citizen SC & ST women in STEM areas of Kerala who meet the specified educational and age criteria.

  5. Is the programme only for Kerala residents?
    Yes, it is exclusively for eligible candidates within Kerala State.

  6. What is the upper age limit for applicants?
    50 years.

  7. What are the qualification requirements?
    Either a Ph.D. in Science/Technology/Engineering, an M.Sc. in Basic/Natural Science, or an M.Tech in Science/Technology/Engineering.

  8. What is the monthly fellowship amount?
    M.Sc. & M.Tech: ₹35,000 per month plus 10% HRA; Ph.D.: ₹45,000 per month plus HRA.

  9. How many grants will be awarded per year?
    3 to 5 grants across all subject areas.

  10. For how long is financial support provided?
    For one year, with rare possibilities of a no-cost extension (up to six months).

  11. How will candidates be selected?
    Based on a merit-based evaluation focusing on the proposal’s need, social and commercial potential, technical viability, team strength, business plan, and TRL.

  12. How can an applicant apply?
    By submitting an online application through the KSCSTE website or via nomination from the Head of S&T Institutions.

  13. Where can applicants seek further information?
    Applicants may refer to the official KSCSTE website or contact KSCSTE directly for more details.

Sources and References

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