15 TNAU research scholars receive DST INSPIRE fellowships

NEW DELHI: 15 PhD students of the Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU) bagged the INSPIRE fellowships by the Department of Science and Technology (DST). The Innovation in Science Pursuit for Inspired Research fellowship is for five years and provides financial assistance of Rs 37,000 per month, in addition to an annual contingency allowance for taking up research work.

TNAU research scholars studying agronomy, plant pathology, plant physiology, agricultural meteorology, agricultural entomology, agricultural machinery and energy technology, soil science and agricultural chemistry, silviculture and resource management, seed science and technology and genetics and plant breeding received the fellowship.

The School of Post Graduate Studies at TNAU organized a felicitation meeting under the chairmanship of the vice-chancellor on April 25 at Anna Auditorium to honour the students who received the fellowships.

TNAU felicitation ceremony

N Senthil, dean, School of Post Graduate Studies, welcomed the gathering and talked about the various types of scholarships available to the research students.

“To motivate and encourage research among postgraduate and doctoral students, TNAU organizes annual think tank meetings to scrutinize research topics and approve advisory committees much earlier as soon as the scholar registers for research credits, which makes it easier for students to prepare successful proposals for various funding agencies,” said TNAU in an official statement.

V Geethalakshmi, vice-chancellor, in her presidential address, congratulated the students who received DST-Inspire fellowships 2024, as well as their mentors and technical directors. She explained the INSPIRE programme in detail. Further, she indicated that three important components are required to apply for the fellowship – the CV of the student and mentor as well as the winning proposal.

The INSPIRE scheme meant for students aged 22-27 offers 1,000 fellowships every year in both basic and applied sciences, including engineering and medicine.