The scholarships will benefit 10 students from the Marginalized Communities pursuing STEM Postgraduate Programs. They are mostly first generation learners from farming and shepherd communities, selected through the VigyanShaala Uttarakhand program (called Rural STEM CHAMPIONS Fellowships).

Selection Process
1. Two written exams – one on scientific ability, numerical ability and scientific temperament followed by another exam with descriptive questions on their aspirations, dreams and commitment towards impacting their communities positively.
2. An interview with VigyanShaala team and their college professors
3. Home visits to confirm their family status and demographics.

Mentoring Process
After their selection, they are mentored for a year by Vigyaanshala and evaluated after six month and then at the end of first year to renew their scholarship for another year. This evaluation is based on their presence and participation in various science project in the community innovation space in their colleges set up by VigyanShaala, mentoring curriculum and community outreach activities conducted by them. They are also coached by VigyanShaala for postgraduate admissions. After careful selection and mentoring, the most aspiring, committed and talented individuals are being supported to pursue their postgraduate studies.

For girls from the Kalpana Program, we track their performance throughout the cohort and the most ACT-ing (Aspiring- Committed – Talented) Girls are selected based on their performance in the various interactions, assignments and quizzes. Students at the top of the cohort, are supported based on need and merit.