About the Programme
Scheme for Transformational and Advanced Research in Sciences (STARS) was formulated to fund science projects that have direct implications for the progress of the nation, through a competitive process in an open and transparent manner.
The basic thrust of the scheme is to take stock of an existing problem and work backwards towards conducting research for a solution, promoting an interdisciplinary & translational approach for greater synergy and relevance.
Read Full Details →Key Objectives
- Fund Translational Science: Bridge scientific discovery with practical applications in key national sectors.
- De-duplication: Synergy across premier institutions to maximize research infrastructure usage.
- Priority Sectors: Health, clean energy, food security, agriculture, defense, and environment.
- Grant Caps: Up to ₹50 Lakhs for single-PI projects and ₹100 Lakhs for multi-PI collaborative projects.
Six Basic Thrust Areas
The scheme focuses research grants across six designated scientific domains addressing societal challenges with high translational value.
Physical Sciences
Quantum technologies (computing, communication, sensing), photonics, self-assembled soft robotics, and novel superconductors.
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Chemical Sciences
Energy conversion and storage, catalysis on demand, small molecule capture ($CO_2$, $H_2$ storage), and functional supramolecular materials.
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Biological Sciences
Indian gut microbiome, nutrition, bio-wealth documentation, infectious disease vectors, AMR, and human genomic diversity.
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Nanosciences
The SHAPE framework (Security, Healthcare, Agriculture, Pedagogy, Energy & Environment) with verifiable Technology Readiness Levels (TRL).
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Data Science & Mathematics
Differential modeling, applied statistics for medicine/weather, number theory for cryptography, medical imaging, and logistics optimization.
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Earth Sciences
Deep groundwater reserves, Himalayan glacier budgets, natural hazard risk assessment (earthquakes, tsunamis, landslides), and Critical Zone evolution.
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