What is the PRL Award?

It is a biennial award recognizing outstanding contributions in Earth and Planetary systems, Oceanography, Atmospheric Sciences, and Meteorology.

Who is eligible for the award?

Indian scientists under 45 years of age (born on or after January 2, 1976).

What is the prize for this award?

The award includes ₹50,000 and a medal.

What areas of research are covered by the award?

Contributions in Earth and Planetary Systems, Oceanography, Atmospheric Sciences, and Meteorology.

What documents are required for the nomination?

The nomination form, a two-page summary of contributions, an impact statement, specific contributions, a complete list of publications, and five key publications (in electronic format).

Who can submit nominations?

Nominations can be submitted by Heads of academic and research institutions, Vice-Chancellors, Deans, Fellows of Indian Academies of Science and Engineering, and past recipients.

Can previous nominees be re-nominated?

Yes, re-nominations are allowed by submitting a fresh nomination as per the updated guidelines

How should nominations be submitted?

Nominations should be emailed to DIRECTOR@PRL.RES.IN.

Is there a specific format for the nomination?

Yes, the nomination must be submitted in the prescribed format available on the PRL website.

How are the award winners selected?

Selections are based on the originality and impact of the nominee’s work, with special consideration given to contributions made in India.

Is there a limit to the number of nominations that can be made?

There is no stated limit, but nominations must meet the eligibility and document requirements.

Physical Research Laboratory Award

By Expertie Editorial Team · Expertie editorial desk

Overview

About PRLA

The Physical Research Laboratory Award, usually written as the PRL Award, is a research honour given to Indian scientists for original work in Earth and planetary systems, including oceanography, atmospheric sciences and meteorology. It is administered by the Physical Research Laboratory (PRL) in Ahmedabad, a unit of the Department of Space, Government of India. PRL itself was founded on 11 November 1947 by Dr Vikram Sarabhai and functions as a national research institute for space and allied sciences.

The award was instituted by the late Prof. Devendra Lal, a former director of PRL. It is given in alternate years. Selection weighs a scientist's overall contribution to theoretical or experimental studies in these fields, with prime consideration given to work carried out in India.

This is a recognition award rather than a study grant, and it carries a cash prize together with a medal. It is aimed at practising Indian scientists working in the Earth and planetary sciences, and it is decided by nomination and review rather than open student application. The precise eligibility conditions, including the age limit and the prize amount, are set out in the scheme's official eligibility criteria.

Sources: PRL Award – Physical Research Laboratory (Department of Space) · Physical Research Laboratory Award – myScheme (Government of India) · Physical Research Laboratory – Wikipedia

Who runs it

Provider

Ministry Of Science And Technology

Central Government

Department of Space

At a glance

Key details

Level	Central
Scheme type	Centrally Sponsored Scheme
Category	Education & Learning
Beneficiaries	Individual
Benefit type	Composite
Application mode	Online

Calendar

Important dates

Across all open application cycles.

Important dates by cycle
Cycle	Stage	Date

Who can apply

Eligibility criteria

The applicant should be an Indian citizen.
The applicant should be a scientist.
The applicant's age below 45 years as of 1st January 2021 (born on or after 02.01.1976)
The applicant's contribution to Earth and Planetary Systems, Oceanography, Atmospheric Sciences, or Meteorology.
Note	Nominations may be made by the Head of Academic & Research Institutions/ Vice-Chancellors/ Deans of Universities/ Fellows of the Indian Academies of Science and Engineering/ and past recipients of these awards.

What you get

Award & benefits

Cash Prize: An amount of ₹50,000/- and a medal.

What to prepare

Documents required

Nomination Proforma .

Significant contributions to the area of specialization by the nominee (two pages) during his/her research career.

Impact of the contributions in the field concerned, basic and/or applied

Specific contributions for which the nomination is being made

Complete list of Publications (with the names of authors in the order in which they appear in the publications).

List of TEN BEST publications, of which five should preferably be from the last five years (A separate listing of this is essential)

Reprints of five important publications in the last five years (e-file only).

Step by step

How to apply

1
Apply online
See the official links below for the application portal.

Source

Official links

Guidelines myScheme (Government of India)

Questions

PRLA – FAQ

Disclaimer

Scheme details are compiled from myScheme, the Government of India’s official scheme-discovery platform, and are reproduced without alteration. Amounts, deadlines and eligibility change between cycles — always confirm on the official links above before applying. Expertie does not process applications or charge fees.

AICTE - Grant For Augmenting Infrastructure In North Eastern Region Access to Knowledge for Technology Development and Dissemination (A2K+) AlCTE - Distinguished Professional Scheme ASEAN-India Research Training Fellowship INAE Travel Grant Scheme for Engineering Students from IITs/NITs/Govt. Approved Engineering Colleges/Institutions other than AICTE AICTE - Scheme For Promoting Interests, Creativity And Ethics Among Students

Physical Research Laboratory Award(PRLA)