DST s Initiatives for Women Scientists & Technologists Dr Vandana Singh Department of Science & Technology New Delhi
Challenges faced by Women Scientists Crucial age Social obligations Family responsibilities Priorities Relocation issue Lack of opportunities Absorbance in S&T system
KIRAN (Knowledge Involvement in Research Advancement through Nurturing) In 2014, DST restructured all it s women specific programs under one umbrella. The mandate of KIRAN Scheme is to provide a platform to women scientists of the country for advancement of their scientific career.
Components of KIRAN S No Challenges Programmes/Schemes 1. Programme for Empowering Unemployed Women Scientists 2. Enabling Working Women Scientists 3. Empowering at Grassroots Level Women through S&T 4. Infrastructure Development in Women Universities 5. Encouraging Women Scientists through Capacity Building Women Scientists Scheme WOS-A: for research in basic and applied sciences WOS-B: S&T intervention for societal benefit WOS-C: Internship in IPR Mobility: to address relocation issues of working women scientists S&T for Women Women Technology Park (WTP) Consolidation of University Research for Innovation and Excellence in Women Universities (CURIE) National Training Programs
MANDATE: Women Scientists Scheme (For breaking the break) Provides opportunities, and encourages women scientists & technologists, who have break in their career: to return in S&T mainstream to initiate work as a bench-level scientists Empowering them as Principal Investigator
Women Scientists Scheme (re-entry in S&T mainstream) WOS- A for research in basic and applied sciences WOS- B S&T intervention for societal benefit WOS- C for internship in IPRs
ELIGIBILITY Women in regular job are not eligible. Qualification Post Graduate (M.Sc. or equivalent) Post Graduate in Professional Course (M.Tech or equivalent) Doctorate (Ph.D. or equivalent) Age Minimum age is 27 and maximum age limit 57 years Break-in-career Demonstrable research experience
SPECIFICS Sl. No. Category Fellowship Total Project Cost 1. Ph.D or equivalent Rs. 55 K Rs. 30 lac 2. PG in Professional Course Rs. 40 K Rs. 25 lac 3. PG in Basic Science Rs. 30 K Rs. 20 lac 4. For One Year Internship Rs. 30 K (Ph.D etc) Rs. 25 K (PG Profess) Rs. 20 K (PG Basic Sci) Not applicable
Subject Expert Committees WOS-A: Physical & Mathematical Sciences (PMS) Chemical Sciences (CS) Life Sciences (LS) Earth & Atmospheric Sciences (EAS) Engineering & Technology (ET) WOS-B: Agriculture & Allied Sciences Health, Food & Nutrition Engineering & Technology Development
Sanctioned Project in WOS-A [2003-2017] 300 250 200 150 100 50 0 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017
[37] WOS - Project Nos. [30] [72] [18] [29] [213] [31] [36] [242] [19] [2] [5] [42] [44] [4] [59] [58] [2] [9] [8] [4] [56] [214] [207] [19] [161] [97] [212] [214] [9] [7] [106 ] All India Representations of WOS-A Program (2003-16)
Women Scientist Scheme-B (S&T interventions for societal benefits) 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2015 2016
Women Scientist Scheme-C (Opportunity for Self-employment) 624 women scientists trained in IPR sector 169 have been qualified and registered as Patent Agent 168 are working in different law/patent firms or have their own company.
Women Scientist Scheme-C 120 100 80 60 40 20 0 2004-05 2006-07 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2013-14 2016-17
AGE-WISE DISTRIBUTION OF SUPPORTED CANDIDATES 450 400 350 300 250 200 150 100 50 0 27-30 31-35 36-40 41-45 46-50
BUILDING SCIENTIFIC WORK FORCE Empowering women to break the break ~30% of women scientists are in mainstream Mostly find placements in academics, research, or industry About 8-10% are continuing in this program by getting approval of fresh proposals for the 2 nd or 3 rd time
CURIE (Consolidation of University Research for Innovation & Excellence in Women Universities) S. No. Women Universities 1. Avinashilingam Women University, Coimbatore 2. Banasthali University, Banasthali 3. SNDT Women University, Mumbai 4. Sri Padmavati Mahila Visvavidyalayam, Tirupati 5. Karnataka State Women University, Bijapur 6. Mother Teresa Women s University, Kodaikanal 7. Indira Gandhi Delhi Technical University for Women, Delhi
Achievements in CURIE State-of-the Art Research Infrastructure in women Universities Human Resource Development Establishment of research facilities of international standard 3 fold enhancement in the enrolment of the students at PG level Significant increase in Ph.D. registration Increase in clearance of NET/GATE and other exams Boost in research culture which is evident by projects and good publications
Science and Technology for Women (Program for grassroots level women) Salient Features: Location specific programs Training and skill development of women Income generation Awareness about health and nutrition Stakeholders: Women Self help Groups, NGOs, Scientists Achievements: Since the inception of this scheme more than 10000 projects have been sponsored in all the States and Union Territories. More than 600 technologies have been developed. Almost 45% of the projects funded so far under the scheme have covered training of women to upgrade their traditional skill or to provide training in new and non-traditional areas
Women Technology Parks (WTPs) (Capacity building at grassroots level) Aquaculture Agriculture & Horticulture Post Harvesting Technologies Livestock management WTP Health & Sanitation Energy Conservation Technology Driven Activities Natural Resource Mangement Textile & Handloom
Women Technology Parks
Capacity Building National Training programs for working Women Scientists Subject specific training programs Sensitization Workshops Networking
Mobility (Address relocation issue) Mobility will provide opportunity to women scientists work in a different location in the following scenario: Marriage, where husband is located in any other place within the country. Transfer of husband to any other location within the country. Accompany the children studying in a different city. To take care of ailing parents The initiative intends to provide a harmonious environment during early phases of women scientist where they would like to stay active in research in addition to search regular position at new place. Duration: 5 Years. Not renewable. Age: Upper age is 50 Years. Emoluments: Consolidated fellowship based on last salary withdrawn from parent organization along with Rs. 5 lakh per annum Research Grant.
KIRAN Overseas Fellowship for Women in STEM 1 st program for Indo-US Collaboration Eligibility: Qualification: Ph.D in Science or MD Age: 50 years. Employment: Working at permanent position or temporary/contractual position or doing independent project Duration: 3-6 months Emoluments: The fellowship includes monthly stipend, return airfare, preparatory allowance, Medical Insurance allowance, Conference allowance.
Trend of Investment in Women Specific Programs[2003-17] 80 Budget (in Crores) 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0
New Initiative Vigyan Jyoti
Visit: dst.gov.in onlinedst.gov.in online-wosa.gov.in