INSA Medal for Young Scientists 2022

The award is being presented by the Indian National Science Academy (INSA) to young scientists to promote their creativity, and contribution to remarkable research in science and technology. This award is given to young scientists who have made a remarkable contribution with creativity to research in science and technology. The candidate’s age should not be more than 40 years.

Introduction: INSA Medal for Young Scientists 2022

In 1974, the Academy, in association with Kothari Scientific Research Institute, instituted the scheme of Science Academy Medals for Young Scientists with the aim of distinguishing young scientists of extraordinary promise and creativity who have made notable research contributions in Science and Technology. Since 1981, however, this award has been solely managed and funded by INSA.

The INSA Young Scientists Award, considered to be the highest recognition of promise, creativity and excellence in a young scientist, is made annually to those distinguished for these attributes as evidenced by their research work carried out in India. Till 2021, 925 young scientists have been thus recognized. Many of them have established a rewarding scientific career and continue to make outstanding contributions winning further honour both in this country and abroad.

Eligibility for INSA Medal for Young Scientists 2022

The award of an Academy medal to a Young Scientist shall be made in recognition of notable contributions to any branch of science or technology, recognized by the Academy, The research carried out in India independently by the nominees will be taken into consideration for the award.

Any citizen of India who has not attained the age of 40 years on December 31, of the year preceding the year of the award, shall be eligible for the award.

Number of Awards for INSA Medal for Young Scientists 2022

The number of awards to be made in any year will be limited to 40.

Nominations and Last Date for INSA Medal for Young Scientists 2022

A notification inviting nominations for the award shall be issued after the Council Meeting of the Academy held in August/September each year.

Candidates may be nominated by Fellows of the Indian National Science Academy, previous recipients of the INSA Medal for Young Scientists, Fellows of national academies, faculty members of universities and institutes and scientists at research institutes and national laboratories.

A nomination will remain valid for consideration for 3 years or the eligibility age whichever expires earlier. Re-nomination is not allowed at any stage.

The nomination shall be made in the prescribed format. The soft copy of the nomination in pdf (through e-mail at ytinsa@gmail.com), along with all supporting documents, must reach the Academy latest by December 15.

Selection Committee for the INSA Medal for Young Scientists 2022 Award

All the valid nominations, based on the subject area of the work, will be considered by the respective sectional committees of the academy.

Circulation of the List to the Members of the Sectional Committees

Not later than the second week of January, the Academy shall arrange to circulate the list of nominees along with their particulars to the members of the respective Sectional Committees with a request to communicate their assessment of the candidate to the Conveners of the respective Sectional Committees, by March 1.

The Convener, if necessary, may refer the particulars of such candidates whose areas of specialization are not clearly represented among the members of the Sectional Committee to appropriate experts amongst the Fellows of the Academy.

Grading

The candidates shall be evaluated by the referees in the following grades:
A. Outstanding; B. Very Good; C. Average; D. Unsuitable

Conveners of the various Sectional Committees shall prepare a list of the grades obtained by each candidate and shall recommend not more than seven candidates in order of merit to be called for presentation of their work, provided that they have been rated atleast ‘B’ by 50% of the members who have sent in their assessment. Assessment from at least five members of Sectional Committees must be elicited before making this recommendation.

The candidates invited to present their work shall do so before the concerned members of the Sectional Committee. Efforts will also be made to ensure the presence of other experts (Academy Fellows) at such presentations. These experts, if they so desire, may give their views to the Convener of the Sectional Committee.

The meetings of the Sectional Committees will normally be held in April/May every year. The Sectional Committees shall devote one full day exclusively to this work.

Candidates called for presenting their work before the Sectional Committees shall be entitled to II AC return rail fare and local conveyance as applicable. Reimbursement will be made on production of supporting documents.

Recommendations of the Sectional Committees

Each Sectional Committee shall send its recommendations to the Council in writing, duly signed by all members present. The recommendations shall contain, strictly in order of priority, not more than Four names. The main criteria for selection will be the originality of the candidate’s research carried out in India independently and his/her understanding as evidenced by publications and performance during the presentation.

The recommendations of the Sectional Committee shall be handed over, after the meeting, in a sealed envelope addressed to the Vice-President (Fellowship Affairs) of the Academy.

Selection by the Council

The Council will select candidates for this award at the meeting in the month of August/September, based on the reports received from the Conveners of Sectional Committees.

Announcement of the INSA Medal for Young Scientists 2022 Awards

The names of the Young Scientists selected for the award by the Council shall be announced at the Annual General Meeting in the month of August/September and subsequently communicated to the awardees/Fellowship.

Presentation of the Medals

The presentation of Medals will be made by the President, INSA, at the time of the Anniversary General Meeting.

For receiving the medal, the awardees (along with their spouse or one accompanying person) will be paid travel expenses to cover the actual II AC rail fare and local conveyance as applicable. Reimbursement will be made on the production of supporting documents.

The Academy would bring out a brochure containing contributions of the Young Scientists for the award at the time of the presentation of the award.

Each awardee will be presented a Medal, a certificate, and an honorarium of Rs. 1,00,000/-.

Check How to Apply for INSA Medal for Young Scientists 2022