Government of West Bengal
Department of Science and Technology and Biotechnology
West Bengal State Council of Science & Technology
Vigyan Chetana Bhavan, Block DD 26/B Sector 1, Salt Lake,
Kolkata-700064
Call for advertisement
RESEARCH FELLOWSHIP AWARD
Applications are invited for ‘Research Fellowship Award’ to carry out Ph.D. research work in
various subjects of Science & Technology at different educational institutions of West Bengal. The
revised Guidelines and General Terms & Conditions of Research Fellowship Award (RFA)
implemented by West Bengal State Council of Science & Technology (WBSCST) has been notified
by the Department of Science and Technology and Biotechnology (DSTBT), Government of West
Bengal (GoWB). Through this scheme, young students are financially supported for obtaining Ph.D.
degree under the expert guidance of faculty members, working at State/ Central Govt. aided
Universities /Post Graduate Colleges located in West Bengal, in various fields of Science &
Technology.
I. Award in different subject category:
Research Fellowship Awards are given in the name of five pioneer scientists in Bengal who are also
icon of science in India and abroad. These are
1. Jagadish Chandra Bose Fellowship Award in Life Science/Tele communication (one number)
2. Acharya Prafulla Chandra Ray Fellowship Award in Chemical Science (one number)
3. Meghnad Saha Fellowship Award in River Science (one number)
4. Satyandra Nath Bose Fellowship Award in Theoretical Physics (one number)
5. Upendra Nath Brahmchari Fellowship Award in Health Science (one number)
II Total Award Value:
RFA is tenable for a maximum period of five (5) years subject to the completion of Ph.D. degree
whichever is earlier. Fellowship will be provided @ Rs. 25000/- per month for initial two years as
Junior Research Fellow (JRF), with contingency support @ Rs.28,000/- per year and fellowship @
Rs.30,000/-per month for remaining tenure as Senior Research Fellow (SRF) with contingency
support @ Rs.30,000/- per year. No financial assistance will be provided other than the amount
mentioned beyond the stipulated period.
III. Eligibility:
Essential qualification: Students who have completed their post graduate degree in Science with
minimum 60% marks in all qualifying examinations and GATE qualified in relevant discipline.
Preference will be given to JBNSTS qualified candidates. Desirable qualification: NET/SET
qualified. Maximum age limit is 28 years on the date of advertisement. WBSCST has the discretion to
relax the qualifying age for candidates with higher qualifications and longer experience.
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RFA is focused at human resource development in Science and Technology in the State of West
Bengal. Applications for the awards are invited from bonafide Indian citizens, residing in West
Bengal. The award is for fixed tenure and does not imply any assurance or guarantee for subsequent
employment by WBSCST to the beneficiary. WBSCST has the authority to award / terminate the
fellowship. The Awardee shall not lay any claim to be a permanent/contractual employee in WBSCST
after the expiry of fellowship.
IV. Selection Criteria:
Selection of RFA will be done through interview whereby the assessment of academic record
will be examined by high-level Expert Committee. Merely fulfilment of eligibility criteria of a
candidate will not be considered for interview. Candidates will be called for interview after screening
on the basis of criteria adopted by WBSCST. WBSCST reserves the right to call or reject a candidate
for interview.
V. Mode of Application: Online through Departmental Portal (www. [Link]). Last date
of submission of application: 7th February, 2022, 11.50 P.M.
VI. ADDRESS FOR COMMUNICATION:
The Member Secretary
West Bengal State Council of Science& Technology
Department of Science & Technology and Biotechnology
Vigyan Chetana Bhavan (4th Floor)
DD-26/B, Sector- I
Salt Lake, Kolkata-700064
Email: aiworkshopwbscst@[Link], Phone no. 033-23371070
VII. GENERAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF RESEARCH FELLOWSHIP AWARD
1. Complete application in prescribed format must be forwarded through the proposed Supervisor and
Head of the Department/Institution. Those who are previously employed in a project sponsored by
any Govt./Private funding agency are not eligible. Only fresh candidate with essential
qualifications are eligible.
2. The research work done under these fellowships is to be used for a Ph.D. degree under any
State/Central University/ Post Graduate college of the State of West Bengal.
3. The remuneration of the Junior Research Fellow & Senior Research Fellow will be the same/at par
with the fellowship given by the Dept. of Science and Technology and Biotechnology, Govt. of
West Bengal, till further order.
4. As per order of Dept. of Science and Technology and Biotechnology, Govt. of West Bengal the
Junior Research Fellow will be promoted to Senior Research Fellow after 2 years reviewed by the
WBSCST/Expert Committee and the amount of fellowship will be increased accordingly, subject
to the registration of his/her name as Research fellow for Ph.D. degree under any State/Central
University/ Post Graduate college of the State of West Bengal.
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5. Research scholars are entitled to enjoy leaves as per existing rules applicable for the Research
scholars of the host institute. No other benefits including bonus, LTC, retirement benefits will be
provided to them.
6. A copy of the joining report, authenticated by the Supervisor, along with the receipt of the fund
disbursed should be submitted to this Council immediately after joining, since the date of joining
will indicate the date of commencement of the project.
7. At the end of each year, the student is expected to give a presentation of about 30 minutes
regarding the progress of the work together with the plan of work for the next year before a Expert
Committee for Award of Research Fellowship and Research Grant of West Bengal State Council
of Science & Technology.
8. The Annual Progress Report in prescribed format in Annexure II should be always accompanied
by copies of published papers, re-prints and pre-prints of papers accepted for publication,
manuscripts of papers communicated for publication duly acknowledging financial assistance of
WBSCST. Noncompliance of WBSCST norms for submission of annual progress report along
with other requisite documents within six months after completion of yearly tenure may result in
termination of Fellowship.
9. An Annual Progress Report on the out-come of the research work, must be submitted by the
research scholar to WBSCST duly certified by Supervisor/ Head of the concerned Department of
the University/College. Utilization Certificate & Statement of Expenditure (in duplicate) duly
signed by the competent authority with respect to the financial expenses must be submitted to
WBSCST, along with the annual progress report, for the release of next year’s grant.
10. The unspent amount of earlier payments and interest Earned by Universities/Colleges on Grants
released by WBSCST for awards has to be adjusted while submitting/making the fresh claims for
payment. The accounts should be maintained on ledger type system by the grantee Institution for
the Research fellow. The university/college shall be responsible for proper utilization of grant and
for rendering the account to WBSCT.
11. Research scholar has to be a full time researcher and submit himself/herself to the disciplinary
regulations of the host University/ College where he/she is working. Regular attendance of the
scholar may be ensured by the department by keeping an attendance register. However, all disputes
pertaining to the Research Fellowship Award shall fall within the jurisdiction of West Bengal only.
12. Any kind of paid or honorary, part-or-full-time employment is not permissible during the tenure of
fellowship. The research scholar is not to take any assignment other than related to his/her
approved research programme, paid or unpaid. However, if required, the scholar may assist the
host institute in its academic work/other activities, as per guidelines of its PhD programme,
provided such assignments should not hamper the progress of research work of the scholar.
13. No scholar shall discontinue his/her fellowship without prior approval of WBSCST. In case he/she
wishes to discontinue the fellowship prior to completion of the tenure on attainment of original
objectives of research, he/she must submit the resignation to WBSCST through the Guide one
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month in advance, indicating specific reasons for not continuing the fellowship. The fellowship
shall cease from the date stipulated in the WBSCST letter approving the resignation.
14. During the tenure of the fellowship, the scholar shall correspond with the Nodal Officer of this
scheme only through the Guide/ approval of the Head of the Institution.
15. Research scholar on the recommendation of guide, and provided that his/her University/ Institute
has no objection, may be permitted by WBSCST to take up temporary paid research job in a
recognized R&D Institution/University, College/Institute of repute/Recognized R & D Institution/
PDF studies in India & abroad for a period not exceeding one year during the entire tenure of the
fellowship (JRF & SRF together). The research scholar will not be entitled to any extension of the
fellowship for such periods. The scholar will not be entitled to stipend and contingency grant
during such leave. Such leave period will be counted in the tenure. Such leave can be taken only
after joining and working as research scholar at least for one year. Scholar has to report for duty at
the same place from where he proceeded on leave.
16. Research scholar must send a detailed final consolidated report of the research work done in
prescribed format in Annexure III during the entire period of fellowship on completion of the
tenure/resignation of the fellowship through the Guide to the Nodal Officer, WBSCST within one
month.
17. Research scholar shall keep WBSCST informed about his/her getting the higher degree,
submission of thesis for Ph.D., and submission/acceptance/publication of any research paper
arising out of the research work done during the tenure of the fellowship. He /She must
acknowledge the support of WBSCST in the publication(s). One copy each of all the research
papers published must be sent to WBSCST at each stage of publication/ manuscript/reprint.
18. The scholar should carefully choose the host organization, guide/supervisor, and availability of
necessary infrastructural and other research facilities etc. to carry out his/her research before
joining. Request for transfer of fellowship will only be entertained in genuine case like death or
transfer of supervisor.
19. If a scholar leaves without permission, stipend due at any time shall not be paid to him/her by the
organization, till all dues are cleared and certified by the University/ College. Responsibility in
such cases shall be that of the University/ College concerned. Research scholars must settle their
claims within one year of leaving the fellowship. No claim will be admitted by WBSCST after one
year of leaving the fellowship.
20. The unspent balance of grant lying with the host organization at any time due to termination
/resignation of fellowship of a fellow /leave sanctioned without stipend/interest earned on grants
released by WBSCST must be refunded to WBSCST immediately by means of a demand draft in
favour of West Bengal State Council of Science & Technology.
21. The scholar is expected to make at least one publication with first authorship in peer reviewed
journal within two years of the issuing of the fellowship and WBSCST as the funding agency
should be acknowledged for financial assistance in all possible publications made from such work.
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22. Any significant outcome of any project under this scheme will be co-owned by WBSCST and may
be utilized for dissemination. The physical assets, created or acquired out of the project fund shall
vest in WBSCST & such assets should not be reflected as the assets of the host institute as their
own in their Books of Accounts but disclose the origin & holding in the notes to accounts.
23. On completion of the project duration and after the receipt of the final report and Utilization
Certificate & Statement of Expenditure, the WBSCST will decide whether the assets should be
retained, returned or sold by the grantee institute. If the assets are to be sold the proceeds there
from should be credited to the WBSCST account. In case the assets are allowed to be retained by
the university/college they should include the assets at book value in their own accounts.
Last date of submission of application: 7th February, 2022, 11.50 P.M.
Canvassing in any form would render the disqualification of candidature.
Sd/-
Joint Secretary to the Govt. of West Bengal
Dept. of Science and Technology and Biotechnology
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Office use:
Application no.
West Bengal State Council of Science & Technology
Vigyan Chetana Bhavan
DD 26/B, Sector 1, Salt Lake, Kolkata 700064
Application form for Research Fellowship Award
Recent passport size
Photograph
1. Personal Details
Full Name (In
capital)
Date of Birth Category
(DD/MM/YY) (General/SC/ST/OBC)
Age (in years) Gender
(Male/Female)
Marital Status Nationality
(Single/Married)
Address for Permanent Address
Communication
Mobile/ Phone No. Email:
2. Educational Qualification (From Matriculation Onward)
Sl. Degree Discipline University Regular/ Year %Marks Division
No. Part-time /CGPA*
*[Please also submit copy of the semester-wise mark-sheets as well as copy of degree]
3. Qualifying Examination (GATE/CSIR/UGC/LS-NET/Others)
Qualifying Subject Year Valid Up to Percentile All India
Examination (& Score) Rank
name
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4. Professional Experiences (Teaching/Research/Industrial) if any
Name of Designation Nature of Work From To
Organization
5. Research Publication (if any):
[Also attached copy of conference/journals papers separately (if applicable)]
6. Awards, patents, prizes etc (if any):
7. Name, designation and address of proposed Guide:
8. Place of proposed work (names of the Department, Institute/University/College):
9. (a) Summary of proposed research work:
(b) Broad Subject area:
10. Topic of proposed Research:
11. Any other Relevant Information:
12. DECLARATION
I hereby declare that I have carefully read the instructions and particulars supplied to me and
that the entries made in this application form are correct to the best of my knowledge and
belief. If selected for fellowship, I promise to abide by the terms and condition of WBSCST.
I note that the decision of the WBSCST is final in regard of selection. WBSCST shall have
the right to expel me from the Research Fellowship at any time after my selection, provided it
is satisfied that I was admitted on false particulars furnished by me or my antecedents prove
that my continuance in the Research Fellowship is not desirable. I agree that I shall abide by
the decision of WBSCST, which shall be final.
Place:
Date: Signature of the Applicant
13. Application forwarded by proposed Guide:
Date: Signature of the Guide with official seal
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