CSIR invites nominations for technology award

NEW DELHI, INDIA: In order to recognize and honour outstanding technological innovation that has helped enhance India’s competitiveness, Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) has invited nominations for the Diamond Jubilee Technology Award (CDJTA), 2011.

The annual award, which carries a cash prize of Rs 10 lakh, a citation and a plaque, aims to foster technological innovation based on innovative science.

CSIR, which launched the award on September 26, 2002, in commemoration of its Diamond Jubilee celebrations, said that it decided to give away the award in recognition that mere investments in creating enabling infrastructure and support systems are not sufficient for achieving cutting-edge technological breakthroughs.

Continuous encouragement and motivational nourishment need to be provided to potential inventors and innovators to unleash and realize their creative potential.

The award is to encourage scientists, engineers and technologists to develop innovative technologies and products that are amongst the best in the world and enhance India’s image. Technologies leading to commercially successful products, processes and services, which give India a sustainable competitive advantage, are considered for the award.

Who all can apply

CSIR said the nominees must be an Indian team, a company or an organization. In case of teams, Indian citizenship is a pre-requisite. For a company / organization, more than 50 per cent of its shares or assets should be owned by the citizens of India / Indian entities.

Also the technological innovation must have originated in India or if it has been developed elsewhere, it must have a significant and highly innovative Indian component.

Moreover, the technological innovation should create a new market or significantly develop an existing market, with demonstrated competitive advantage and large cross section of users / consumer response and compete successfully internationally on the basis of novelty, price, quality, functionality and reliability, said CSIR.

It should also help to raise capital or enhance the value / brand equity or image of the company and promote employment in the country; and contribute benefits to the community generally and raise the standards of quality of life of the community.

For nomination form and other details visit www.csir.res.in. Last date is June 25, 2011.