The Skill Development and Technical Education (SDTE) department of Odisha has directed government technical universities to submit proposals to release funds supporting research fellowships under the CM Aspire scheme (Chief Minister’s Augmenting Soft Skill and Promoting Innovation, Research and Excellence).
The CM Aspire fellowship initiative, which faced initial delays due to clarifications sought by universities, is now moving forward after resolutions in the first steering committee meeting chaired by SDTE Secretary Bhupendra Singh Poonia on December 24.
PhD candidates from Veer Surendra Sai University of Technology (VSSUT), Odisha University of Technology and Research (OUTR), and Biju Patnaik University of Technology (BPUT) are eligible. Scholars below 35 years of age, domiciled in Odisha, who have completed pre-PhD coursework and whose parental income is under Rs 8 lakh, will receive a monthly fellowship of Rs 30,000 along with contingency grants.
The scheme, with a total outlay of Rs 120 crore for five components over three years, aims to support around 150 scholars annually and encourage global publications. Funds for employability training and senior secondary certification components have already been released.