About IRHPA
Intensification of Research in High Priority Areas (IRHPA), a legacy scheme of SERB has contributed significantly to augment general R&D capabilities, by setting up of Core Groups, Centre of Excellence (CoEs), and National Facilities in
frontline and emerging fields of science & engineering. The scheme has been very effective in supporting disruptive scientific ideas, to establish strong S&T foundations for the nation and at the international scientific landscape.
Earth Sciences
The field of Earth Sciences and its allied multidiscipline – Geosphere, Biosphere, Hydrosphere, Cryosphere, and especially Atmosphere have undergone phenomenal transformations during the last six decades. These changes have occurred on account of new knowledge obtained through modern observation techniques (satellites, radars, etc.), communication, coupled with advances in computer technologies. The advent of high-performance computing has enabled scientists to create more realistic and complex Earth System Models (ESM).
Call for Proposals: DST-SERB (IRHPA)
This calls for a major paradigm shift to make cost-effective use of the dramatic increase in volume, diversity, and capabilities of observations (particularly satellite observations). Although a considerable number of isolated Earth System features have been analyzed with AI & ML techniques, the holistic approach to understand the entire
system has not occurred. For instance, ML may aid pattern recognition, teleconnection identification, ESM diagnostics (including systematic bias errors), data fusion & assimilation, efficient & intelligent signaling, and provide enhanced warnings of approaching weather extreme events.
Geohazards such as landslides, glacier breaks, tsunami, etc. require a high level of AI & ML intervention. Lastly, the prediction needs have moved beyond routine forecast of temperature, precipitation, or sea state; and now require decision-specific quantities such as energy production, transportation disruptions, agricultural efficacy, and supply chain impacts. This is where AI & ML can play a disruptive game-changer for Earth & Atmospheric Sciences (EAS) Community.
Call for Proposals with this background, SERB solicits proposals to establish three such interdisciplinary and multi-institutional CoEs in the arena of the EAS developed through applications of AI & ML in the country on the following areas of interest:
- AI & ML for better weather and ocean forecasting, and long-term environmental
sustainability. - Deep learning models for early warning of extreme geohazards.
- AI/ML models to predict climate extremities and climate change mitigation,
through high-precision analytics.
These CoEs will also train the next generation of AI/ML-conversant EAS experts.
Eligibility Conditions:
• As is obvious, application for such CoEs should be multi-institutional and
interdisciplinary, and having convergent collaborations between PI and Co-PIs from
EAS and AI & ML communities. An existing collaboration will be a plus. The CoEs
should also attempt for added funding from non-SERB sources such as industry and
other partners.
• In addition to the proposal in the required format, the following should be provided:
(a) How is the proposal aligned with the AI & ML road map of the country in
the research segment of the EAS community? A one-page brief to be provided. [Ministry
of Earth Sciences (MoES) had initiated an open call for soliciting proposals in
different aspects of AI & ML in Earth Sciences in the year 2019. The proposals
are under scrutiny for funding. These MoES funded projects would be encouraged
to work in tandem with the CoEs funded by the SERB]
(b) One-page action plan on the availability and utilization of the geospatial data
as per the existing policy of the DST on the subject.
(c) A robust action plan for CoE’s sustainability beyond its tenure (5 years).
Last date of submission is June 30, 2021.
How to Apply (SERB Proposal):
• Proposals should be submitted in the prescribed IRHPA format through SERB
online portal: serbonline.in. Other eligibility conditions as applicable to CRG
projects are to be followed. PI should not have any ongoing IRHPA/SUPRA project.
To apply, visit the SERB online portal under the IRHPA scheme (serbonline.in).
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