Olympiads & Contests

“Everything begins with an Idea” – Earl Nightingale

The “Innovation in Science Pursuit for Inspired Research” (INSPIRE) scheme is one of the flagship programs of the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India. The INSPIRE Awards – MANAK (Million Minds Augmenting National Aspirations and Knowledge), being executed by DST with National Innovations Foundation – India (NIF), an autonomous body of DST, aims to motivate students in the age group of 10-15 years. 

The scheme was launched by the Hon’ble Prime Minister in2008 and was implemented in 2009-10. The Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India has been running the INSPIRE Award scheme since 2009-10. We have been conducting these exams since 2018.

The basic objective is:

• To motivate students to innovate and imagine at an early age 
• To attract talent, have them exposed to science at an early age and foster a culture of creative and innovative thinking among school children to address the societal need through Science and Technology.
• To help towards building a critical human resource pool for strengthening and expanding the science and technology system and increase the research and development base.  

Under the INSPIRE AWARDS – MANAK Scheme, students will be invited throughout the country, irrespective of their educational boards and the aim is to help build a critical human resource pool to strengthen and expand the science and technology system and increase the research & development base which will happen when new minds send original and creative technological ideas/innovations focusing on common problems and come up with solutions on their own, be it household or for porters, labourers, society or the likes. The focus will be on teaching the children basics about prototype development and gaining knowledge by interacting with students and faculty from various engineering and design institutions.

Who can participate?

Individual students (not groups) from Grade 6 to 10 OR age 10 to 15 years can participate.

Important Note for MLC Students:

Since MLC students are already involved in learning via projects, it’s highly recommended they fill their response in the form. They can also consult the MLC facilitators before deciding on the idea.

Important Note for all:

Please note that each student needs to have a Bank Account in their name. If you do not have your own bank account, please get an account opened and only then proceed to fill the IDEA FORM. 

What kind of submissions are invited under INSPIRE AWARDS – MANAK?

Original and creative technological ideas/innovations of students that solve any daily problem, be it household or for farmers, porters, laborers, society, or the like. Students may be urged to look around for common problems and come up with solutions on their own. Parents or teachers can also play an important role in proposing a problem to the child or help in converting the idea into a prototype/model but not suggest the idea themselves. The ideas/innovations should be based on Degree of Novelty, Solving Existing Problem, Social Applicability, Cost-Effectiveness/ Scope of Diffusion, Relevance in Current Govt. Schemes.

Timeline/ Deadline for submission of ideas/ innovations:

Once the student is ready with an idea; submit the ideas latest by 1st September 2024 via the form given below which will be further reviewed and shortlisted by the Senior School Principal to be submitted to the Inspire Award. 

Selection Process (school) – Based on the responses to the below-mentioned criteria, the final selection will be done. The school team will shortlist the best 5 entries and nominate them for INSPIRE AWARDS – MANAK which will represent Fountainhead School. The acceptance of an idea will be affected by how the criteria are served.

1) Existing problem

2) Reasons for choosing the problem

3) Solution to the problem including technology details

4) Effect on large/small scale

5) Environmental friendliness

6) Easy to use

7) Comparison with existing technology

8) Any website/link from where the idea was adapted

9) Citation

How do the Inspire Award Authorities shortlist ideas from various submissions?

Please visit this link to understand the steps followed by the Inspire Award Authorities while shortlisting ideas. 

What kind of ideas are not encouraged?

Please visit this link to look at ideas that are not encouraged.

You will have to come up with creative ideas on your own. While selecting the projects the jury judges, environmental implications, potential impact, scope for diffusion through commercial and/or non-commercial channels, relevance to existing government schemes, etc. may be considered.

Prizes: 

The award money upon idea selection under this scheme will be transferred directly into the bank accounts of the students through Direct Benefit Transfer.

Form Link to submit your idea by 1st September ‘24 : 

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdbMAncaD3Gc2olSy_pbYvvCz_sWJy1Wy2weIBMmRNjk_1k1g/viewform

For more information, go through the Inspire Award – MANAK website and watch the videos (given below):

• Hindi – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7PqIxdfyGhI
• English – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vGyegl6mN6o&t=171s
• Website – https://www.inspireawards-dst.gov.in/

In case of any doubts or queries related to project ideas, you can contact us at  career.counselor@fountainheadschools.org.

For other queries regarding MANAK, you can email at inspire@nifindia.org.