PRAYAAS Scheme 2023 – 24 : 50,000 Research Grant For Students

PRAYAAS scheme 2023-2024 is planned by the Department of Education in Science and Mathematics (DESM), NCERT for school students. The scheme is to nurture the young innovative minds, Promotion of Research Attitude in Young And Aspiring Students.

What is PRAYAAS Scheme

The Promotion of Research Attitude among Young And Aspiring Students (PRAYAS) Scheme is a collaborative effort of the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) and the Ministry of Education, Government of India. It aims at giving opportunity to the school students for conducting year-long research/investigation and get acquainted with scientific methodology and experimentation.

PRAYAAS Scheme 2023 -24

The PRAYAS Scheme 2023-24 is a unique programme which aims at giving opportunity to the school students for conducting year-long research/investigation and get acquainted with scientific methodology and experimentation. It is a collaborative effort of the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) and the Ministry of Education, Government of India.

This programme also provides opportunities for the creative minds of young students to realize and recognize the importance of STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and
Mathematics) education in real-life situations and foster their creative imaginations. It will also help them to showcase their scientific potential at the national level through this scheme, PRAYAAS.

Objective of PRAYAAS

The main objective of PRAYAAS scheme are as follows :

• Orienting school students in science process skills for carrying out research and investigation.
• Generating scientific temper and instill evidence-based science process skills, innovativeness and creativity among school students.
• Developing competency among school students for carrying out research or investigation individually or in groups.
• Providing them a platform to become a problem-solvers by applying scientific methods for solving societal problems.
• Making linkages between school education and higher education for optimizing learning of school students for development of scientific thinking and skills.
• Developing the competency of entrepreneurship towards initiating start-ups among the students by applying science process.

Eligibility Criteria of PRAYAAS scheme

The eligibility criteria for participation in this programme are:

For Students

• The student(s) must belong to the age group of 14-18 (as on the date of application).
• The student(s) must be studying in class IX to XI.
• Students from all schools are eligible to participate in PRAYAAS.
• Single student or a group of maximum two students, along with a teacher at their school, and an expert from any HEI.
• Only one entry per school will be considered.

For Teachers

• A qualified Post Graduate Teacher (PGT) or equivalent who is teaching Science/ Physics/ Chemistry/ Mathematics and Biology to classes 9 to 12, are eligible to become a “PRAYAAS” Guide Teacher under the PRAYAAS scheme.

PRAYAAS 2023-24 project tenure

PRAYAAS projects last for one year, starting from October 10, 2023 and ending on October 9, 2024. School and HEI heads for selected projects are responsible for facilitating project work during the tenure and ensuring that projects are completed on time. Research work done by school students will be uploaded to the NCERT website.

PRAYAAS 2023-24 grant Amount

Each selected research proposal will receive a grant of Rs. 50,000. The grant will be distributed as follows:

• Rs. 10,000 to the student (Rs. 5,000 each if two students are involved)
• Rs. 20,000 each to the school and the HEI expert to help students with their research

Application Procedure for Prayas 2023-24

Applicants must submit their application and project proposal online to [email protected] in the prescribed format (see Annexure I). The format for sending the application in HTML and PDF format is given in Annexures I A and I B, respectively.

Students who wish to apply can download the HTML format and fill it out electronically, or they can download the PDF format and fill it out by hand. Once the application is complete, it must be signed and stamped by the school head.

PRAYAAS 2023-24 research proposal and No Objection Certificates required.

1. The research proposal should clearly state the:
   • Aim
   • Principle
   • Materials and equipment required (though tentative)
   • Research methodology that will be adopted for the study
   • Expected outcome of the research

[Format for the research proposal is given in Annexure I]

2. The No Objection Certificates (Annexures IV, V, and VI) should be printed, filled out, scanned, and then uploaded in the online form itself. If two students are participating as a group, Annexures IV and V need to be filled in individually for both students.
3. Expert from HEI must submit a No Objection Certificate duly signed by the Head/Principal of their Institution.

Important Dates of PRAYAAS Scheme

• Date of Announcement of PRAYAAS scheme: 08 August 2023
• Last date of submission of application: 20 September 2023
• Screening of applications: 25 September 2023
• Deadline for Jury and selection of project proposal: 30 September 2023
• Announcement of results: 05 October 2023
• Commencement of Project: 10 October 2023

Progress Report (four months after the date of commencement of the project)

• Completion of project: 09 October 2024
• Report Submission: 14 November 2024
• Applications received after the last date will not be considered

Official Website of PRAYAAS Scheme

NCERT

Conclusion

The PRAYAS Scheme is a valuable opportunity for school students to develop their research skills and contribute to scientific knowledge. It is also a great way for schools to promote scientific temper and innovation among students.

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