Wellcome Trust/DBT India Alliance Public Engagement Competition
Besides its Fellowship Programme, the Wellcome Trust/DBT India Alliance aims to enhance the public
understanding of science in India. It has become increasingly important for scientists to engage with the public
to increase the awareness of science, technology and medicine (STM) research, and themselves get fresh
perspectives on their research towards a larger picture. With this in mind, India Alliance is pleased to
announce a rolling ‘Public Engagement competition’ for our Fellows. This is a valuable opportunity for
India Alliance Fellows to showcase their work and share it with the public. The engagement can be through
research, social activities, teaching, science movies/documentaries and other modes of knowledge sharing
with the central goal of educating and improving public awareness of STM.
Selection process
The selection process is based on evaluation of the application by an Expert Panel, with help from external
reviewers, and meeting the broad remit of Public Engagement initiatives by the Wellcome Trust/DBT India
Alliance. Applications will be judged on their merit and need.
Eligibility
Both current and past fellows of the India Alliance are eligible to enter this competition. The applicant must
be affiliated to a not-for-profit organisation at the time of application and for the entire duration of the
proposed Public Engagement project. This organisation along with you should be able to sign up to the India
Alliance's Public Engagement budget utilisation conditions as stated below.
Provisions and award conditions
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The financial cap for each award is INR 10 lakh. Justifications should be provided for all budgetary items.
The budget requested can include the following:
 personnel costs directly related to the project
 direct activity and production costs of any materials to be used (renting equipment, venue etc.)
 project travel, publicity, and administration costs
It should not include:
 salary costs of anyone associated with this project
 Equipment purchase
 expenses incurred in submitting an application
 institutional overheads
 academic courses or research programmes such as diplomas, Master’s degrees or PhDs
 costs arising prior to the start date of the project
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The award funds will be released once the India Alliance is intimated about the start date of the proposed
Public Engagement project.
A detailed Audited Statement of Expenditure and Project Report should be submitted within ONE
month after the completion of the Public Engagement Project. These reports should be signed by
authorised signatory.
The India Alliance reserves the right to amend these Award Conditions.
Application Form
Goal of the Public Engagement event
The purpose of the event should be clearly described including the diversity and spread of the target audience.
If the engagement is focussed towards a subset of the public, provide strong rationale to this end including the
intention for such an initiative, timeliness, possible modes of measuring the output, and a backup plan. What
do you envision as the impact of the proposal in the community? How will you ensure timely, efficient and
effective launch of the proposal to address the issues, which you foresee in the community at large?
Benefits
Describe how this programme will benefit the partners involved in the proposal, including the funding agency,
the researcher and the public-at-large.
Novelty
Describe how the proposed project is novel from other similar initiatives. Provide strong reasons to convince
the evaluation panel that the proposal is creative, original and innovative.
Strength and weakness
Highlight the core strengths of your proposal comparing it with recent similar initiatives from other public
engagement events. Mention your previous experience in conducting and executing events to engage with the
public, if any. Indicate any collaboration already in place to complement your efforts in the proposed work
plan. Outline any perceived weak points of the proposal.
Sustainability
Tell us why you think that the proposed project and plan is sustainable. Will you use a feedback form to gauge
if the strategy is working? If yes, please share that with us. What other way(s) will you use to assess
successful engagement? Do you foresee any technical glitches in the smooth execution of the proposed work?
What is the back up plan?
Additional information
Provide any supporting material relevant to your application.
Contact us
Please write to us at public.engagement@wellcomedbt.org with specific queries if any.
Public Engagement Sponsorship Form (Rolling Application)
Only India Alliance Fellows are eligible to apply
Please fill in the expandable boxes
1) Name of the Applicant:
2) Name of your Host Institution:
3) Name of the Department:
4) Contact address with mobile number:
5) Title of the Public Engagement Event:
6) Details of any Collaborators:
7) Please specify the resource materials used in preparing this project:
8) Time frame to conceptualise, design and implement the proposal:
9) Goal(s) of the engagement event (up to 700 words):
10) Benefits to the community that you envision (up to 300 words):
11) Novelty of the Proposal (up to 300 words):
12) Strengths and weaknesses of the Proposal (up to 300 words):
13) Strategies for sustainability (up to 300 words):
14) Total perceived budget:
15) Budget requested from India Alliance; please provide a breakdown with justification:
16) Additional information (optional):