New Delhi: Recognizing that clean and efficient energy, environmental protection and energy security are among the biggest challenges facing India and the United States; the Department of Biotechnology, Government of India and the Indo-US Science and Technology Forum have announced the Bioenergy-Awards for Cutting Edge Research (B- ACER) – a dynamic and transformative program developed to nurture contacts between students and scientists from India and the United States.
Aimed at tackling these issues by building capacity in these frontier areas, the awards will nurture future innovators and thought leaders in Biofuel and Bioenergy.
The program is envisaged to provide an opportunity to the best and brightest Indian students and scientists to gain exposure and access to world class research facilities in leading US institutions; promote research and capacity building in the frontline area of Biofuels and Bioenergy; encourage and motivate outstanding students to take up research as a career path; and pave the way for the next generation scientists and technologists from India to interact with American peers, thus helping to build long-term R&D linkages and collaborations.
The priority areas include Systems & Synthetic Biology (to produce biofuels), Feed stock improvement (microalgae, macro algae, cellulosic biomass, tree born oil) and Production Technology (cost-effective technology for bio-ethanol, algal biofuel, bio-butanol, bio-hydrogen, fuel cells, bio-refinery).
For Student Internships, the criteria is an Indian citizen currently pursuing a Ph.D. on a full-time basis in the field of Biofuel related area in public-funded R&D lab/S&T institution (non-private) / recognized academic institute / university /college in India. The age should be upto 32 years as on December 31, 2016.
For Fellowships, the Indian citizen with a Ph.D. in Life Science, Biotechnology, Engineering or Technology holding a regular permanent Position in public funded R & D lab/ S & T Institution /recognized universities/ colleges in India. Applicants must provide proof of independent research work in internationally recognized academic journals. It is open only to applicants working in the field of Biofuels. The age should be upto 45 years as on December 31, 2016.
The monthly stipend and air-fare besides the contingency allowance will be provided to the interns and research fellows. While the duration of internship is minimum 3 months and upto 6 months, the fellowship will be given for minimum 3 months and upto 12 months
The deadline for applying to the program is November 15, 2016. Applications should be submitted using the Online Application Portal for Visitation Programs. Hard copies and electronic copies of the application forms will not be accepted. Application Form (Internship) and Application Form (Fellowship)
