Bangalore: The Central government will financially help the science graduates to continue higher studies, as the two year financial allotment will also help to curb the decline in basic science research.

The project of the Union Science and Technology Ministry will be open to MSc and Phd students. The grant is meant to instill confidence among students to take up basic sciences. The grant is intended to instill confidence among students to take up basic sciences, science and technology.

An unemployed MSc or PhD basic science student can write a proposal to the Department of Science and Technology on any project that can produce useful results; either in terms of a product or in terms of enhanced knowledge, or new formulations in basic sciences. The proposal is then evaluated by experts, and if approved, the student gets the grant for
two years.

"Students may not want to do an MSc or Phd in basic sciences, fearing they won't land jobs. This hits research in basic sciences as well as the student ratio and strength. If there is some sort of security and an assured financial support period, students would feel confident to take up MSc or Phd in basic sciences. That way, research benefits," said an official of the Department of Science and Technology.

The ministry is also planning an awareness drive across the country on the science allowance. "Not many students are aware of the plan for basic sciences. We plan to go region wise. There need be no fear about proposals being rejected. Keeping in mind the need to encourage basic science students, we have brought down the rejection rate. More students can now get grants," said the official.

The grant will expire after two years, and will be offered to a fresh batch of students. This will be then rotated every two years. The Ministry thinks that two years are adequate time for a student to find a job and as other students would also be waiting for financial help.

"The money coming from the DST is good and will be enough to help the student coast through a year or two. We expect a student to come up with a project that would be job-enabling, as experience on the project would count in job offers. The good thing is that students would not be penniless for the two-year period. The science ministry takes care of the student until he or she finds a job," the official said.