About TheProgramme

Kerala State Council for Science, Technology &Environment (KSCSTE) has instituted this programme in memory of late Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam. This programme targets the youth in the State for taking up challenges in specialized sectors. The programme is aimed to encourage youth to propose their innovative ideas to solve the issues faced by the society and provide necessary support for converting their ideas to reality.

The Objectives of the Programme are;

• Encourage youth to take up innovative projects.
• Create opportunities for translating innovative ideas.
• Contribute to sustainable development of the State.
• Encourage entrepreneurship.
• Create platform for knowledge-based enterprises.

Youth can submit their proposal in the Challenge areas identified. Up to 10 best proposals will be provided financial grant up to Rs.5 lakhs each for developing the prototype/working model. After the proto development, the applicants shall demonstrate their prototype/working model before the Expert Committee and the best Innovation(s) among them will be shortlisted and selected for next stage for product development and commercialisation, for which financial grant up to Rs.50 lakhs and technical support will be provided.

Eligibility

• Open to all below 35 years as on January 01, 2021
• Individual Innovator
• Team of Innovators
• Startups
• Should be a Keralite (Including non-residents)
• Educational Qualification not a barrier for applying.

Guidelines

• This Programme is open to any Individual below 35 years of age. Individual Innovator, Team of Innovators and Start ups are also eligible to apply.
• The Applicant shall be a Keralite. Nonresidents can also apply, however, the project shall be carried out in Kerala.
• Applicants have to register first in the portal by providing their personal details. The Applicant shall also upload the Nativity Certificate, Age Proof document and Photograph while registration. Up on registration, they will be allotted Username and Password.
• In the case of Team of Innovators, an Innovator may be identified as the Team Leader and he/she can register on behalf of the Team. The details of team members shall be furnished while registration.
• In the case of Start up, a representative can register on behalf of Startup. The details of team members shall be furnished while registration. The Registration Certificate of Startup shall be uploaded during Registration.
• Applicants have to log in by using their log in details.
• There are nine Challenge areas this year. Applicants shall select 1 Challenge Area before submitting the Proposal. Applicants are allowed to submit only 1 Proposal in any of the Challenge Area. Submissions of multiple Proposals lead to disqualification.
• The Proposals submitted shall be for a break through idea which is disruptive and extremely affordable. It shall be novel, original and should be of TEN- X nature.
• Applicants have to submit the Synopsis of their Proposal initially.
• Proposals will be examined and evaluated at different levels. In the first stage, Synopsis of the Proposals will be evaluated by the Reviewers and based on evaluation; proposals qualified for the next stage will be shortlisted. The result of the evaluation will be communicated to the Applicants, via email and in the website www.ycpkerala.org
• For the Proposals qualified for the second stage, Applicants shall submit a detailed proposal which shall cover the details of their proposal including; What ?, How?, Why ?, So what ? and also the Budget details.
• Applicants shall prepare the detailed proposal in the prescribed template, which will be forwarded to them via email.
• Detailed Proposals will be evaluated by an Expert Committee and based on the merit; up to 10 best proposals will be selected by the Expert Committee for providing financial and technical support for prototype development. The evaluation result will be communicated to the Applicants, via email. Also, the list of proposals selected for funding will be published in the Website. The selected Applicants will be attached to an Academic/R&D Institutions, either of their choice or of the Committee and will be provided financial grant up to Rs.5,00,000/- each for developing the prototype/ working model based on the proposal submitted.
• One year will be given to the Applicants to work on the `proof of concept’, while refining the project ideas. This period will not be extended further.
• After the expiry of 1 year, Applicants shall demonstrate their prototype/working model and present before the Expert Committee. Based on evaluation, the Expert Committee will select the best Innovation(s) among them for next stage and will be provided financial grant up to Rs.50 lakhs and technical support for Product development and commercialization.
• The quantum of financial support for product development and commercialization will be decided based on the evaluation of detailed Project Proposal submitted by the Applicant(s).
• The decision of KSCSTE in selecting the innovations for product development support will be final and no appeal against the decisions will be entertained.
• Applicants are advised not to make interim enquiries on the status of the programme. All the proceedings in connection with the Programme will be updated in the website
• Applicants shall read carefully all the Guidelines before registering for the Programme.
• In any stage, if it is found that the information’s provided by the Applicants are wrong in any manner; their proposal will be rejected without notice.

Advisory Committee

A National Level Advisory Committee comprising eminent Scientists/Personalities in the Country is constituted for the ‘A.P.J Abdul Kalam Youth Challenge’. The Advisory Committee will identify the thrust areas on which challenge has to be made and will play key role in selecting the winner of the Youth Challenge Programme and in formulating necessary guidelines. The terms of reference of the Advisory Committee are to identify the thrust areas on which challenge has to be made before the youth, to raise real challenges that are thought provoking and answer seeking issues related directly to the need of the society, to decide the guidelines and norms for the scheme, to provide advice and guidance to KSCSTE, Expert Committee and the participating teams for the successful implementation of the programme and to evaluate the prototype/working models developed for the shortlisted projects, along with the Expert Committee and select the winner of the Youth Challenge Programme. The Composition of the Advisory Committee is as follows;

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Dr.R.A. Mashelkar

CHAIRMAN

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Prof. G.D. Yadav

MEMBER

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Shri. G. Vijaya Raghavan

MEMBER

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Dr. Kuncheria P. Issac

MEMBER

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Dr. M.D. Ayyappan

MEMBER

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Shri. C.Balagopal

MEMBER

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Dr. K. Sivan

MEMBER

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Shri. S. Kedarnath Shenoy

MEMBER

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Dr. Suresh Das

MEMBER

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Dr. George Varghese

MEMBER

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Dr. Ajit Prabhu V.

CONVENER