Selection Criteria

Submitted applications will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

1. Eligibility Requirements

• Community Membership: Applicants must be registered members of the PALEOHER community to apply.
• Gender and Nationality: Open to female candidates from South Asia.
• Economic Status: Preference for applicants from economically disadvantaged backgrounds.
• Academic Level: Applicants should be in a postgraduate or early Ph.D. program related to prehistoric research, archaeology, paleoclimate studies, ecology, or related fields.

  2. Research Proposal

• Candidate must submit an application in form of a project proposal providing details about her research objective, scientific understanding, research plan, and timeline.
• Project proposals must have a significant component of prehistoric research.
• Research proposals involving multidisciplinary studies will be preferred.
• The proposal should demonstrate how the fellowship will enable the applicant to achieve specific research objectives.

3. Alignment with Fellowship Goals

• Projects that emphasize fieldwork in India, laboratory analysis, or technical skill development are given preference.
• The project must contribute to advancing knowledge or methods in prehistoric studies or related fields.

4. Feasibility and Impact

• The proposed project’s feasibility, timeline, and the intended impact on the candidate’s academic and career goals.
• Clear articulation of how the fellowship will support the completion or significant advancement of the project.

5. Recommendation Letters

• Two letters of recommendation, preferably from academic mentors or field professionals familiar with the applicant’s work, are required.

Required Documents

1. Detailed application form as per the given format.
2. Recommendation Letters: Attach two recommendation letters.
3. Proof of Economic Status: Income certificate or other relevant documents.
4. Academic Transcript: Latest transcript or proof of enrollment.

Application Process

Candidates must complete the application form as per (Annexure 1) and submit it along with the required documents at the link.

Fellowship Payment Conditions

• Initial Payment: 80% of the fellowship amount will be paid to the candidate upon final selection.
• Final Payment: The remaining 20% will be paid after the completion of the project and submission of all required documents, including the final report and article for PALEOHER Magazine.

Completion Requirements

At the completion of the proposed work, the fellowship recipient must fulfill the following requirements:

1. Submit a Final Report: Provide a comprehensive report highlighting the work completed, including methodologies, findings, and key insights gained during the fellowship period.
2. Submit an Article for PALEOHER Magazine: Write an article that showcases the significance of the research, emphasizing its usefulness and societal implications. This article will be published in PALEOHER Magazine to highlight the impact of the fellowship-supported work and inspire further research in the field.
3. All successful candidates are required to submit detailed bills and invoices for expenses incurred as part of the fellowship. These should be submitted as actuals for reimbursement or financial documentation purposes.
4. Any outcomes derived from the fellowship, including research publications, presentations, or other work, must acknowledge the support of the PALEOHER Ratna Fellowship.