The INSPIRE (Innovation in Science Pursuit for Inspired Research) Awards – MANAK (Million Minds Augmenting National Aspirations and Knowledge) is a flagship programme of Department of Science & Technology (DST), Government of India and is executed by the DST with National Innovation Foundation (NIF) with the aim of motivating students in the age group of 10-15 years and students studying in classes 6th to 10th to present their creative ideas and innovations.
The DST with NIF- India are looking for lakhs of creative young innovators from across the country through the INSPIRE Awards MANAK Competition. The objective of these awards is to target one million original ideas/innovations related to science and useful for societal applications in order to strengthen and expand the science and technology system and to foster a culture of creativity and innovative thinking among school children studying in classes 6th to 10th. Students by nominating themselves for these awards will contribute their innovative ideas and suggest innovative solutions for a number of problems.
Nominations open till September 30, 2020
Government and private Schools throughout the country, irrespective of their educational Boards (National and State) can nominate 5 best original ideas/innovations of their students through E-MIAS (E-Management of INSPIRE Award Scheme) (http://www.inspireawards dst.gov.in/UserP/award.aspx) portal till 30th September 2020.
Out of all the collected ideas, 1,00,000 most creative ideas will be selected and provided a financial assistance of Rs. 10,000 to develop a prototype. The students will then get the opportunity to participate in District Level Exhibition, among these, the best 10,000 students will get a chance to participate in State Level Exhibition, where the top 1,000 ideas will be selected for the National Level Exhibition. From National Level Exhibition, the best 60 ideas will be selected for national award and future direction. Selection of ideas/innovations will be based on novelty, social applicability, environment friendliness, user friendliness and comparative advantage over the existing similar technologies.
INSPIRE Awards MANAK will help millions of students to become future innovators and inspire them to do something new and better. This competition will help create and evolve a new India based on student’s ideas and innovations.
For more information about the awards visit http://www.inspireawards-dst.gov.in/UserP/faqs.aspx.