The Accelerate Vigyan (AV) scheme was launched by the Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB) in July 2020. It is a single platform for research internships, capacity building programs, and workshops throughout the country.
The AV scheme focuses on three broad goals:
- Consolidation or aggregation of all scientific programs
- Initiating high-end orientation workshops
- Creating opportunities for research internships for those who do not have access to such resources or facilities
This scheme is important for the Mains GS-Paper 2 IAS exam.
Why in the News?
In February 2022, the SERB called for applications under the ‘ABHYAAS’ program of ‘Accelerate Vigyan’ scheme, for the summer season. In a recent notification, the call for applications under “KAARYASHALA” and “VRITIKA” programmes for the summer season (May 2022-July 2022) was extended.
Aim of the Accelerate Vigyan Scheme
The aims of ‘Accelerate Vigyan’, which is an inter-ministerial scheme is given below:
- To give a boost to high-end scientific research and prepare scientific manpower, which will create research related career opportunities and help in developing a knowledge based economy
- To start as well, strengthen the mechanisms that identify research potential, training, mentoring and hands-on workshops in the country.
‘ABHYAAS’ Programme
‘ABHYAAS’ Programme is an important component of the AV scheme. It focuses on giving a thrust to research and development in the country by grooming potential PG/PhD students by providing them necessary facilities to develop their research skills in selected areas across different disciplines. The ‘ABHYAAS’ programme has two components:
- High-End Workshops (‘KARYASHALA’)
- Research Internships (‘VRITIKA’)
The workshops and internships under the ABHYAAS program will especially help those researchers who have limited opportunities to access such learning facilities and infrastructure. Under these programs, a specific consolidated amount will be given to participating students for daily necessary expenses such as TA, consumables, stationery, accommodation, food etc.
Other Components of the Accelerate Vigyan Scheme
‘SAMMOHAN’ (Bring together) is another new component under the Accelerate Vigyan (AV) scheme. SAMMOHAN is divided into:
- SAYONJIKA (Chronicle)
- It is an open-ended program to aggregate and consolidate the capacity building activities in science and technology supported by all government funding agencies in India.
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- The information base aggregated through this program will benefit the students, researchers, teachers, policymakers and science administrators in future capacity building activities and interactions.
- This initiative will also help in the creation of a repository of skilled manpower in various scientific fields.
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- SANGOSHTI (Seminar and Symposia)
- It is a pre-existing program of the Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB).
- It aims to facilitate and enhance knowledge exchange between the scientific community and other individuals, research groups etc.
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- It aims to support the participation of the scientific community in national and international events in order to enable interaction and keep the community well-informed of the new developments in Science & Technology (S&T).
- It provides partial financial support to conduct seminars, conferences, symposia, short-term workshops, training programs etc.
What is Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB)?
- Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB) is a statutory body, which was established in 2011 through an Act of Parliament
- It is a national research funding agency that supports quality scientific research and development
- It aims to make science and technology an important and essential component to bring about social and economic change.
- It also aims “to raise the quality and footprint of Indian science and engineering” to the highest global levels.
