Scholarship
Star College Scheme For Strengthening Of Science Education And Training At Undergraduate Level(SCSSSETUL)
Eligibility
Minimum 4-5 UG courses in basic science such as botany, zoology, applied life science, microbiology, physiology/biochemistry, biotechnology etc. and 1-2 applied course/PG diploma courses.
Region
All India
Award
Composite
By Expertie Editorial Team · Expertie editorial desk
Overview
About SCSSSETUL
The Star College Scheme for Strengthening of Science Education and Training at Undergraduate Level is a central scheme run by the Department of Biotechnology (DBT). DBT is one of three departments within the Ministry of Science and Technology, Government of India, and it handles research and development in modern biology and biotechnology. The scheme works at the college tier rather than through schools or universities.
Its stated aim is to improve critical thinking and hands-on experimental work in the sciences at the undergraduate level. The support is infrastructure-focused, directed at strengthening science teaching and practical training in participating colleges. Because it reaches both the institution and the students who study there, the scheme carries a composite benefit that covers individuals and institutions.
The intended beneficiaries are undergraduate colleges that offer science education and, through them, the students enrolled in those science courses. As a central programme, it is available to eligible colleges across the states rather than being confined to one region.
Sources: myScheme – Star College Scheme for Strengthening of Science Education and Training at Undergraduate Level · Wikipedia – Department of Biotechnology · Wikipedia – Ministry of Science and Technology (India)
Who runs it
Provider
Ministry Of Science And Technology
Central Government
Department Of Biotechnology
At a glance
Key details
| Level | Central |
| Scheme type | Central Sector Scheme |
| Category | Education & Learning |
| Beneficiaries | Individual, Institution |
| Benefit type | Composite |
| Application mode | Online |
Calendar
Important dates
Across all open application cycles.
| Cycle | Stage | Date |
|---|
Who can apply
Eligibility criteria
| Minimum 4-5 UG courses in basic science such as botany, zoology, applied life science, microbiology, physiology/biochemistry, biotechnology etc. and 1-2 applied course/PG diploma courses. | |
| Adequate in-house faculty expertise in each science department. | |
| Independent laboratories for practicals to accommodate sanctioned student strength. | |
| Lecture halls/rooms for theory classes with minimum capacity for sanctioned student strength. | |
| Basic infrastructure and facilities in laboratories and library, LCD / overhead projection facilities, Computers with internet access. | |
| To apply, the college must be Government or Government aided, autonomous included under Section 2(f)/12(B) of the UGC Act 1956. | |
| Colleges that have been not recommended for support can re-apply to DBT for financial support with appropriate modifications and revisions while those that get discontinued after a round of support are eligible for re-applying only after a cooling period of two years. | |
| The colleges who have already been supported under this scheme can apply for additional dept. after completion of one cycle i.e. 3 years of ongoing support. |
What you get
Award & benefits
- Nature of Financial Assistance
- One-time non-recurring grant of ₹10,00,000 per science department, recurring grant of ₹3,00,000 per science department per year for a period of three years, subject to satisfactory annual review, and ₹1,00,000, ₹2,00,000 and ₹3,00,000 subject to their departments for mentoring and monitoring per college and ₹1,00,000 per year under contingency head will be provided.
- The scheme encourages the purchase of multiple copies of routine equipment required for science practicals in UG courses within a ceiling of ₹1,00,000. For the purchase of equipment costing more than one lakh and up to three lakhs, prior approval of DBT is required.
- Student training via the introduction of practicals, prescribed in the curriculum.
- Introduction of conceptual clarity via engaging students in minor projects, either singly or in groups of students not exceeding 4 in number.
- Inclusion of techniques for 'hands-on' training to strengthen concepts taught otherwise via theoretical approach.
- Summer training preferably via engaging students in research projects.
- Visits to neighboring industries, research institutions, or places of academic value.
- Use of IT in classroom, laboratory, and library activities.
- Organizing lectures by eminent scientists, and career counseling lectures specifically for creating awareness among students about their future career options in science.
- Any other relevant additional information.
- Faculty improvement program.
- Participation in summer courses for skill upgradation to be able to train students.
- Curriculum change to ensure more, 'hands-on' laboratory work.
- Greater emphasis on communicating research and research process to students.
- Introduce an internal review process by students regarding the implementation of various
- activities under the Star College Scheme.
- Feedback from students regarding the competence of faculty, adequacy of teaching/laboratory environment, and additional needs, if any.
- Increase in the number of practicals being conducted individually by the students.
- Introduction of “hands-on training” to enhance conceptual clarity for topics taught previously by theoretical approach.
- Engaging students in minor research projects.
- Faculty development programs and laboratory staff training programs.
- Involvement of students in scientific writing and journal club activities.
- Consolidated outcome after the sanctioned tenure (3 years)
- Increase in the admission cut-off percentage and decrease in the dropout rates of students.
- Increase in the faculty generated resources viz extramural research grants from other funding agencies to strengthen the Star College Scheme efforts.
- Number of colleges or schools mentored from underprivileged areas.
- Number of colleges mentored to write grants for Star Scheme support and their outcome.
- SOPs developed, lab manuals created and uploaded on the website, or submitted to DBT.
What to prepare
Documents required
A valid 2(f) & 12(b) Certificate
Applicants from Rural Areas must submit a Rural Area Certificate as per format.
Step by step
How to apply
- 1Apply online
https://dbtepromis.nic.in/Login.aspx
Source
Official links
Questions
SCSSSETUL – FAQ
The call for the DBT-Star College scheme for both Urban and Rural categories is announced annually and is advertised on the DBT website.
DBT is focused on the equitable percolation of benefits of the Star College Scheme throughout the country and is committed to ensuring that geographical location and access to means of communication and technology should not be a deterrent for securing this highly competitive grant. Therefore, since 2018-19 Colleges have been categorized into Urban and Rural categories based on the physical location of the college. Colleges applying under the Rural category should mandatorily attach a certificate (with the application) from competent authority (local administration and not the Principal of the College) either in Hindi or English stating that the college is located in a Rural area, failing which applications shall not be considered further.
Colleges requesting the addition of new departments should first complete one cycle of support i.e. 3 years with the departments that the grant was recommended for.
The Star College Scheme encourages young and energetic faculty of a College to assume greater responsibilities besides their routine roles and functions. A Coordinator should be active, engage in networking with other Departments seeking support under the DBT-Star College Scheme, and should be involved with the overall functioning of the scheme in respective Colleges. The Coordinator for the Star College Scheme shall be responsible for the coordination between the Colleges and DBT; thus the change of coordinator shall not be entertained during the entire duration of the support unless there is some personal issue due to which the coordinator is not available, for the duration of more than six months at a stretch.
For any assistance, recipients of the DBT-Star College grant / Co-ordinators may contact: Adviser: Dr. Anamika Gambhir, Sc. F, Division Head, Human Resource Development / Infrastructure and Women Programme Tel: 011-24363665 Email: anamika@dbt.nic.in Programme Officer: Dr. Garima Gupta, Sc. E, Department of Biotechnology, Room No. 510, 5th Floor, Block 3, CGO Complex, New Delhi-110003 Tel: 011-24369385 Email: garima.g@nic.in Attached Officer: Dr. Abhishek Kumar Mehta, Sc. C, of Biotechnology, Room No. 534, 5th Floor, Block 3, CGO Complex, New Delhi-110003 Tel: 011-24360295 Email: ak.mehta@dbt.nic.in
Each College supported under the DBT-Star College scheme is envisaged to promote networking and strengthen ties with neighboring institutions and a separate fund is provided for mentoring activities. A College aspiring to apply for a Star College grant may get in touch with the neighboring Star College. A list of Colleges supported under the DBT-Star College The scheme with contact details of the coordinators is provided below. Additionally, DBT also conducts workshops and outreach activities periodically throughout the country. Details are provided on the Twitter handle of DBT.
The following are the objectives of this scheme: 1. To strengthen the academic and physical infrastructure for achieving excellence in teaching and training. 2. To enhance the quality of the learning and teaching process to stimulate original thinking through ‘hands–on’ exposure to experimental work and participation in summer schools. 3. To promote networking and strengthen ties with neighboring institutions and other laboratories. 4. To conduct specialized training programs for faculty improvement for optimizing technical capabilities. 5. To increase the capabilities of core instrumentation resources by procuring new equipment and upgrading of existing facilities. 6. To provide access and exposure to students to research laboratories and industries in the country. 7. To help in devising standard curricula and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) / kits for practicals.
For Students, there are the following benefits: Student training via the introduction of practicals, prescribed in the curriculum.Introduction of conceptual clarity via engaging students in minor projects, either singly or in groups of students not exceeding 4 in number. Inclusion of techniques for 'hands-on' training to strengthen concepts taught otherwise via theoretical approach. Summer training preferably via engaging students in research projects. Visits to neighboring industries, research institutions, or places of academic value. Use of IT in classroom, laboratory, and library activities. Organizing lectures by eminent scientists, and career counseling lectures specifically for creating awareness among students about their future career options in science.
For Faculties, there are the following benefits: Faculty improvement program. Participation in summer courses for skill upgradation to be able to train students. Curriculum change to ensure more, 'hands-on' laboratory work.Greater emphasis on communicating research and research process to students. Introduce an internal review process by students regarding the implementation of various activities under the Star College Scheme. Feedback from students regarding the competence of faculty, adequacy of teaching/laboratory environment, and additional needs, if any.
The State/UT Wise List Of Colleges Supported through this Scheme can be found at this link - https://dbtindia.gov.in/sites/default/files/uploadfiles/List%20of%20ongoing%20colleges%20supported%20under%20Star%20College%20Scheme.pdf
The Scheme Terms & Conditions can be found at this link - https://dbtindia.gov.in/sites/default/files/Terms%20%26%20Conditions%20of%20Star%20College%20Scheme.pdf
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.
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