Union S&T minister announces research grants for 300 women scientists under CSIR-ASPIRE scheme

Dr. Jitendra Singh emphasizes innovation in science and technology, highlights initiatives for sustainable development and biomedical waste management

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New Delhi: Dr. Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State for Science and Technology, Earth Sciences, and other portfolios, announced the allocation of research grants to 300 women scientists for a period of three years under the CSIR-ASPIRE scheme. The Minister made this announcement during a review meeting held in New Delhi, highlighting the government’s commitment to supporting women in scientific research and promoting inclusive innovation across India.
The CSIR-ASPIRE scheme, launched on International Women’s Day last year, received around 3000 proposals, out of which 301 were recommended for support after rigorous screening and independent review by area-wise research committees. 
During the meeting, Dr. Jitendra Singh commended the success of the ‘One Week One Lab’ initiative by CSIR and directed the team to scale it up, alongside implementing the ‘One Week One Theme’ initiative. This program highlights diverse innovations and technological breakthroughs across CSIR’s network of 37 labs nationwide. Emphasizing the need to bridge the gap between laboratories and industries, he encouraged greater collaboration with MSMEs and startups.
He also highlighted several key initiatives aimed at promoting sustainable development and enhancing environmental stewardship. He directed the scaling up of the Seaweed mission along with its commercial cultivation to bolster India’s sustainable green economy. “India produces 774 tonnes of biomedical waste daily, and initiatives like converting pathogenic waste into soil additives demonstrate CSIR’s commitment to environmental sustainability,” said Dr. Jitendra Singh.
Additionally, the Minister also congratulated Team CSIR on their successful projects including E-Tiller, 108-Petal Lotus, and the Purple Mission, which have showcased India’s capabilities in technological innovation and scientific research.
Addressing environmental concerns, Dr. Singh highlighted India’s efforts in biomanufacturing and bio-foundry, which he believes will drive the future bioeconomy and promote sustainable “Green Growth”. He pointed out that India’s bio-economy has grown significantly under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, expanding from $10 billion in 2014 to over $130 billion in 2024.
Furthermore, Dr. Jitendra Singh underscored the importance of integrating artificial intelligence and machine learning with the Phenome India-CSIR Health Cohort Knowledgebase (PI-CHeCK) to advance precision medicine in India. He also stressed on the development of indigenous technologies and products to enhance the bio-economy, environment, and employment opportunities.
He stated that the scheme aims to shift from today’s consumptive manufacturing model to one based on regenerative principles. This will introduce environment-friendly alternatives like biodegradable polymers, bio-plastics, bio-pharmaceuticals, and bio-agri-inputs to support Bio-Start-Ups and the broader bio-economy. 
Dr. Singh instructed the scientists and officials to sustain this momentum and focus on empowering farmers and Agri-entrepreneurs. 
He introduced the mantra of achieving BIO E3, which stands for Bio-economy, Environment, and Employment. He stressed the importance of developing indigenous technologies and products, urging the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) to integrate research efforts among research institutions, industrial R&D, and the startup ecosystem. 
Dr. Rajesh Gokhale, Secretary of the Department of Biotechnology, and Dr. N. Kalaiselvi, Director General of CSIR, along with senior scientists and officials from both departments, attended the meeting.