Outreach and science communication are responsibilities that scientists across career stages and disciplines have towards society. In the current times and moving forward, it will be very important to cultivate a deeper level of interaction between the scientific community and the broader public via strategies such as sharing scientifically reliable information, fostering a scientific temperament, and increasing the accessibility of the scientific community/​research. Despite the pertinence of this issue, such initiatives are few, in their infancy, or face a shortage of resources. IndiaBioscience (IBS) strives to promote this practice, especially amongst scientists, via the IndiaBioscience Outreach Grants. For this purpose, we will award Young Investigators Meeting (YIM) and Regional YIM (R‑YIM) alumni a maximum of INR 1 lakh for a duration of 1 year. A total of five grants will be offered in the first year. Although there is no specific guideline for the nature of work to be done, we are looking for innovative ideas with broad societal benefits related to life science. 

Note: Given the current restrictions on travel and meetings, in the inaugural iteration of this grant, we will focus on projects that have the potential to be conducted in a digital space/​via e‑resources.

Look up the ideas to begin with to help get started on the brainstorming.

Applications for 1^st IndiaBioscience Outreach Grants will open on 13 July 2020 and the last date to apply is 30 July 2020 (5.30 PM IST)

Selected proposals will be notified by 17 August 2020.

Projects must be initiated by mid-September 2020.

We are seeking inspired YIM and Regional YIM alumni* (currently employed at or affiliated to a government, educational, or a not-for-profit research institute in India) to lead the effort. However, collaborations (with educators, students, scientists or science communicators) are permissible and preferred. The outreach should be carried out in India or, if digital, primarily for an Indian audience. 

*Alumni refers to any individual who has attended the meeting in the capacity of attendee (PDF, Young Investigator, PhD student, etc.), mentor, panelist, or organiser.

Please read the terms & conditions here.

The application package must include the documents listed below. Please compile all the documents into a single PDF file. You may send your application package to applications@​indiabioscience.​org by 30 July 2020 (5.30 PM IST) using IOG _​Application_​FullName as the subject. 

The application must include:

1. Names of the applicants and the CV of the Lead Applicant (a YIM/ Regional YIM alumnus) as well as the collaborators. 
   
2. A maximum of three-page proposal indicating the need of the work (along with clear action steps), the intended idea for addressing the need, the potential impact or outcome, and a timeline. 
   
3. Budget (purchase of any kind of large instrument is not permitted; small equipment required for recording/​hosting might be purchased). 
   
4. Letter from host institute must confirm in writing to IndiaBioscience that the awardee holds a salaried/​fellowship position there.
5. (Optional) Short explainer video/​infographic which will help the committee understand and assess the proposed activity [Share google drive link].

Selection process

IBS will set up a Selection Committee to evaluate the proposals and conduct a phone/​Skype interview of the finalists if needed. IndiaBioscience reserves the right to award grants that it deems meritorious. Selection would be based on the originality, uniqueness, feasibility, and societal impact of the proposed project.

We reserve the right to change or modify the terms and conditions at any time during the period of the grant. 

In case of any query, please write to us at applications@​indiabioscience.​org