Innovation Scholarships are intended to be an initiative to institutionalize innovative thinking in youth.

1. Adviser to the Prime Minister on Public Information Infrastructure and Innovations
SCHEME OF NATIONAL
INNOVATION SCHOLARSHIPS
June 2013

2. Adviser to the Prime Minister on Public Information Infrastructure and Innovations
Introduction
 In a globalized world, innovation can be the driver of
competitive advantage for organizations and countries and in
recognition of its vital role, the Government has declared 2010-
20 as the “decade of innovation”.
 The creation of an “innovative society” requires that innovation
be stimulated, encouraged and nurtured amongst the populace
right from an early age.
 It is in this context that the National Innovation Council (NInC)
had proposed to the Ministry of HRD, the creation of National
Innovation Scholarships for children.
 MHRD is now processing the proposal and the scholarships are
expected to be launched soon.

3. Adviser to the Prime Minister on Public Information Infrastructure and Innovations
Objectives
 The objective of the National Innovation Scholarship Scheme is
to identify children who think creatively, laterally and
innovatively on issues that they perceive as important.
 This award is aimed at encouraging innovative thinking and
problem-solving, rather than open-ended creativity.
 It will provide an incentive to foster team work through means
of larger awards for groups.
 It will have a multiplier effect by getting parents and teachers
to value creativity and in turn help spread a culture of
appreciating innovation in the school system.

4. Adviser to the Prime Minister on Public Information Infrastructure and Innovations
Applicant
 These scholarships will be awarded annually to the students
studying from class 8th to 12th (or out of school children in the
age group of 12 years to 17 years)
 Students from any background - arts, science, commerce etc. -
affiliated to any boards of education recognised by the
Government of India or out of school children can submit their
entry for the scheme
 MHRD will endeavour to encourage female students, differently-
abled children, children from remote and rural areas as well as
students from disadvantaged societies to participate in the
scheme by submitting their entries for the same

5. Adviser to the Prime Minister on Public Information Infrastructure and Innovations
Scholarship Details
 The scholarship is proposed to be in the form of one time award,
coupled with incentives and support at every stage of innovation
–
 For idea selection: There will be a one-time award of Rs. 50,000 for
group strength of one or Rs. 75,000 for a group of two to five
children, five being the maximum number of participants per group.
Along with the cash award, a certificate of appreciation, a tablet, and
a set of CDs/books for every group member will be given
 For proof of concept: An award of Rs. 25,000 (for a group) will be
given upon successfully demonstrating the proof of concept, along
with an invitation to showcase it at the National Innovation Showcase
event.
 IPR: An amount up to one lakh will be reimbursed to the group for the
purpose of obtaining an Intellectual Property Right (IPR).

6. Adviser to the Prime Minister on Public Information Infrastructure and Innovations
Screening and Processing
 During the currency of the current Five Year Plan all screening and
processing may happen centrally under National Innovation
Foundation (NIF) Ahmedabad.
 There may be several rounds of screening to evaluate the
applications. The evaluation methodology will be detailed by NIF.
 Suggested Method –
 Weeding out of invalid/incomplete applications
 2 to 3 rounds of screening to select the best four to six
thousand applications by the Screening committee to be
constituted by the NIF.
 Final selection of up to a 1000 awardees shall be made by a
high level Screening Committee

7. Adviser to the Prime Minister on Public Information Infrastructure and Innovations
Screening and Processing (2)
 All screening committees will have experts from different
domains including teachers, experts from industry, etc.
 The high level screening committee must have representatives
from MHRD and NCERT along with other experts.
 The screening process may make use of an online platform for
receiving, screening and processing online applications.
 The National Innovation Council’s India Innovation Portal is
one such platform which can be utilised for this purpose.

8. Adviser to the Prime Minister on Public Information Infrastructure and Innovations
Scheme Promotion and Popularization
 A detailed scheme promotion and popularization strategy will be worked out
by MHRD with inputs from NIF.
 MHRD will popularize the scheme through its own channels such as CBSE,
Kendriya Vidyalayas, Navodaya Vidyalayas, NCERT, State Education Boards,
District Education Officers, etc.
 Advertisements -
 In leading national and local dailies in Hindi, English and vernacular
languages.
 broadcast on Doordarshan (TV), in Hindi and regional languages (DD
Regional Channels
 aired on All India Radio and some leading FM Channels.
 A Facebook page will be created on National Innovation Scholarships.
 NCERT will be requested to print an appeal to students to submit their
creative ideas, and to create easily detachable application forms in
textbooks.

9. Adviser to the Prime Minister on Public Information Infrastructure and Innovations
Mentoring and Nurturing of Ideas:
Regional Workshops
 The regional centres will facilitate the regional workshops every
year.
 A detailed database of all group members will be created at the
regional workshop.
 One attendant will be allowed with each group, participating in
the regional award ceremony and the regional workshop
 MHRD will interact with institutions such as IITs, IIMs, NID, TISS,
IISc, IISERs, CSIR Labs, National Law Schools, and other reputed
institutions in the sphere of science & technology as well as the
liberal arts, to provide mentorship and the institutional support to
the young innovators.

10. Adviser to the Prime Minister on Public Information Infrastructure and Innovations
Regional Award Ceremony
 The award ceremony will happen at the Regional
Centres.
 All the group members along with a guardian (one per
group) will be invited to the award ceremony to their
nearest Regional Centre.
 To optimise the overall organisational and
coordination efforts, the regional award ceremony
shall be held along with the regional workshop.
 A National Innovation Showcase may be held to
popularize the best innovations at the National Level.

11. Adviser to the Prime Minister on Public Information Infrastructure and Innovations
THANK YOU
www.innovationcouncil.gov.in
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