Introduction The idya Poshini Students Fellowship Scheme is a research support programme introduced by the Government of Kerala for postgraduate students working on environmental and climate-related topics. It aims to encourage academic research by helping students cover project expenses such as field surveys, sample collection, laboratory testing and data analysis. Through this assistance, students can undertake research projects as part of their postgraduate studies without bearing the entire financial burden themselves. The scheme is implemented by the Directorate of Environment & Climate Change (DoECC), Kerala, under its Environmental Research and Development Scheme. Students pursuing regular M.Sc., M.Tech. or M.A. courses in specified environmental disciplines at recognised colleges or universities in Kerala can apply, provided they meet the prescribed semester requirements and obtain approval from their Teacher Investigator and Head of Institution. Under the fellowship, selected projects can receive financial assistance of up to ₹25,000, released in two instalments of ₹12,500 each. The project generally runs for six months from the date of sanction. Students must submit the prescribed application and supporting documents, complete the approved research and provide the final project report and expenditure records to receive the remaining instalment. Benefits Maximum research grant: Up to ₹25,000 for each approved project. First instalment: ₹12,500 after submission of the signed Terms and Conditions. Second instalment: ₹12,500 after project completion and acceptance of the required reports and financial records. Project duration: Six months from the date of sanction, with an extension possible for valid reasons subject to DoECC approval. Academic support: Research is conducted under the guidance of an approved Teacher Investigator. Research development: Students can gain practical experience in environmental studies, fieldwork, laboratory analysis and data collection. Application availability: Applications are accepted throughout the year, with evaluation conducted periodically. The grant is released to the Head of the Institution rather than directly to the student. Eligibility The applicant must be enrolled in a regular postgraduate M.Sc., M.Tech. or M.A. programme at a recognised college or university in Kerala. The course must relate to one of the eligible disciplines: Environmental Science, Environmental Engineering, Environmental Technology, Environmental Management, Environmental Studies or Climate Change Studies. The student must be in the fourth semester or at the end of the third semester. The research project must be associated with the student's academic coursework and undertaken under an approved Teacher Investigator. The application must include the prescribed consent of both the Teacher Investigator and the Head of Institution. The same research project must not receive funding from another government fellowship, agency or funding organisation. Who is not eligible? Students in the first or second semester, those who have not reached the permitted application stage, students enrolled in unrelated courses or institutions outside Kerala, and applicants submitting incomplete forms or missing required approvals are not eligible under the supplied guidelines. Documents Applicants should prepare the prescribed documents for the application, grant release and project closure stages. At application: Completed application form in the prescribed format. Consent and approval from the Teacher Investigator and Head of Institution. Research proposal and any supporting documents required by the application form. For the first instalment: Terms and Conditions form signed by the Student Investigator, Teacher Investigator and Head of Institution, with the institutional seal. For the second instalment: Final project report in PDF format, certified by the Teacher Investigator and Head of Institution. Utilization Certificate (UC) in KFC Form 44. Detailed Expenditure Statement (ES). Authorised signatories: For university departments, the Registrar signs the UC and ES. For government, aided, unaided and self-financing colleges, these documents are signed by the Principal or Head of Institution. Process to Apply Confirm that you meet the course, subject, semester and institutional eligibility conditions. Discuss your research topic with a faculty member who can act as the Teacher Investigator. Visit the DoECC Kerala website and obtain the prescribed application form and guidelines. Complete the form carefully and attach the required research proposal and supporting documents. Obtain the necessary consent from the Teacher Investigator and Head of Institution. Submit the application soft copy through the submission method specified by DoECC and send the signed hard copy with supporting documents to the Directorate. Postal address: Directorate of Environment & Climate Change, 4th Floor, KSRTC Bus Terminal, Thampanoor P.O., Thiruvananthapuram – 695001. DoECC's Technical Committee evaluates applications received during the relevant evaluation cycle. The Directorate's decision on selection is final. If selected, complete the Terms and Conditions form with the required signatures and institutional seal. The institution must inform DoECC of the project start date within one month of receiving the sanction order. The first instalment of ₹12,500 is released to the institution. Complete the research within six months of sanction. If an extension is necessary, submit the request before the approved project period expires. After completion, submit the certified final report, UC in KFC Form 44 and detailed ES. The final consolidated UC and ES must be submitted within one month of project completion. After the submitted records are verified and accepted, DoECC releases the remaining ₹12,500. Important conditions: The grant must be used only for the approved project and cannot be transferred to another institution. A change of Teacher Investigator requires prior DoECC approval, while changing the Student Investigator is not permitted. Delays in reports or financial statements may affect pending payments. DoECC may inspect or audit the project, and misuse of funds or failure to follow the guidelines may result in cancellation and recovery of the grant. Publications, presentations and patents arising from the project must acknowledge DoECC. Important Links and Contact Official website: Directorate of Environment & Climate Change Kerala Application form: Download the Vidya Poshini Fellowship Application Form Scheme guidelines: View Fellowship Guidelines Revised guidelines: View Revised Guidelines Contact page: DoECC Contact Details Helpline: 0471-2326264 Email: environmentdirectorate@gmail.com Postal address: 4th Floor, KSRTC Bus Terminal, Thampanoor P.O., Thiruvananthapuram – 695001, Kerala. Application note: The supplied information does not identify a confirmed online submission portal. Applicants should check the latest official instructions or contact DoECC to confirm how to submit the soft copy. FAQs Q1. What is the Keralam Vidya Poshini Students Fellowship Scheme?It is a Kerala Government initiative that funds eligible postgraduate research projects in specified environmental and climate-related subjects. Q2. How much financial assistance is available?Selected projects can receive a maximum grant of ₹25,000. Q3. How is the fellowship amount paid?The grant is released to the Head of the Institution in two instalments of ₹12,500 each. Q4. Which students can apply?Eligible regular M.Sc., M.Tech. and M.A. students studying specified environmental subjects at recognised institutions in Kerala may apply. Q5. At which stage of the course can students apply?Students can apply in the fourth semester or at the end of the third semester, according to the supplied guidelines. Q6. What is the duration of the research project?The standard duration is six months from the date of sanction. An extension may be considered for valid reasons with approval. Q7. Is approval from a faculty member required?Yes. The application requires the consent of a Teacher Investigator and the Head of Institution. Q8. Which documents are needed to receive the second instalment?The institution must submit the certified final project report, Utilization Certificate in KFC Form 44 and detailed Expenditure Statement. Q9. How can students submit their applications?Students must use the prescribed form and follow DoECC's instructions for soft-copy submission and postal delivery of the signed hard copy. The current submission method should be confirmed with the Directorate. Q10. How can applicants contact the concerned department?Applicants can call 0471-2326264, email environmentdirectorate@gmail.com or visit the official DoECC website for further information.