Applications are invited for the Prof. Saroj Chandrasekhar Memorial Young Researcher Award, 2027. This award recognizes and rewards women scientists in the areas of Biosciences, Biotechnology, Life Sciences and Medical Sciences. This annual award is limited to researchers at the assistant professor level and up who are within five years of starting their independent positions.

In 2027, a single award will be given, carrying a cash prize of Rs 3.5 lakh and a certificate; travel and lodging expenses for the award ceremony will also be reimbursed. The awardee would give an honorary lecture at the award ceremony. Award money is without any restrictions, free for the awardee to use as they please.

This award is instituted by the Chandrasekhar Foundation in memory of Prof. Saroj Chandrasekhar, who made significant contributions in tuberculosis research. Prof. Saroj Chandrasekhar completed her B.Sc. from St. Xavier’s College, University of Bombay, in 1947, and Ph.D. from Imperial College of Science and Technology, UK in Bacteriology (Microbiology) in 1950. She returned to India to do a post-doctoral
fellowship at the Indian Agricultural Research Institute, Pusa Campus, New Delhi. Prof. Saroj joined the Vallabhbhai Patel Chest Institute at the University of Delhi in 1953, eventually becoming a full professor, head of the Department of Microbiology and Assistant Director of the Institute in 1970. From 1966 to 1969, she was a visiting faculty member at Johns Hopkins University’s School of Public Hygiene and Public
Health (now Bloomberg School of Public Health) in Baltimore, MD, USA, carrying out research in the pathogenesis of tuberculosis. Her major contributions to tuberculosis research were in definitively demonstrating the existence of cell-wall- deficient forms of tubercle bacilli that are totally unaffected by antibiotics and can remain dormant in humans for decades, like sleeper cells; when their host is severely
immune-suppressed, they ​“come alive” causing tuberculosis. Her contributions have impacted how we treat this disease today. Prof. Chandrasekhar passed away in 2017.

The Award will be presented on National Science Day (2027−02−28) at IIT Kanpur.

Submit online at: Chandrasekhar_​RESEARCHER_​Award_​2027_​SUBMIT_​LINK