Maths Scholarships – Mathematics, often regarded as the language of the universe, plays a pivotal role in shaping our understanding of the world. Its applications are boundless, spanning from science and engineering to finance and technology.
Recognising the significance of this subject, numerous organisations and institutions in India have come forward to support and nurture budding mathematicians through a range of scholarships.
These maths scholarships are not just about financial aid; they are about fostering a passion for numbers, encouraging critical thinking, and paving the way for future leaders in mathematics.
This article delves into the diverse landscape of maths scholarships available to students in India, including eligibility criteria, awards, application process and more.
Top Maths Scholarships in India – A Brief List
The Ramanujan Fellowship by SERB (Science and Engineering Research Board)
The Ramanujan Fellowship is designed for exceptional Indian scientists and engineers residing abroad, aiming to assume scientific research roles in India.
Provider Name: SERB (Science and Engineering Research Board)
Eligibility Criteria:
- The Ramanujan Fellowship opportunity is extended to exceptional Indian scientists and engineers who are based overseas and under 40.
- Applicants must hold a higher degree or equivalent, such as a Ph.D. in Science/Engineering, Masters in Engineering or Technology, or MD in Medicine, etc. Additionally, they should possess substantial professional experience.
- The fellowship is highly selective, and only individuals with a well-established and remarkable record demonstrated by their research publications and recognition are deemed eligible.
- If a candidate is selected for a regular position within a university or institute, they will not qualify for the grant under the Ramanujan Fellowship.
- The fellowship is exclusively available to scientists who do not hold a permanent, tenure-track, or contractual position within any Indian institute or university.
- Nominees must be actively engaged in work overseas during the nomination period.
Duration: The fellowship duration is five years and is not extendable.
Awards:
- Each fellow will receive a monthly fellowship amount of ₹1,35,000 (consolidated, including HRA).
- Additionally, each fellow will be provided with a research grant of ₹7 lakh per annum, along with ₹60,000 per annum designated for overhead charges.
Application Mode and Selection Process:
- Scientists can work at any Science and Technology (S&T) Institution, including University Departments, other Academic Institutions, and National Laboratories in India.
- However, the chosen institution must be prepared to offer the necessary administrative and research and development (R&D) infrastructure support to facilitate the research endeavour.
- Individual scientists and technologists interested in the fellowship should approach their preferred institutions to host their research and have their nominations forwarded to SERB (Science and Engineering Research Board) for the fellowship.
- The selection of Ramanujan fellows will be conducted periodically by an empowered Search-cum-Selection Committee appointed for this specific purpose.
- Nominations for Ramanujan Fellowships are accepted throughout the year.
- Nominations must be submitted through the head of the organisation, university, institute, or an authorised academic personnel from the respective organisation, university, or institute.
Note: If a selected fellow obtains any permanent, tenure-track, or contractual position, they become ineligible for the fellowship, including the research grant and overhead charges, and need to relinquish the Ramanujan Fellowship in its entirety.
The NBHM Masters Scholarships (National Board for Higher Mathematics)
The National Board for Higher Mathematics (NBHM) was established by the Government of India under the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) in 1983. Its mission is to promote the advancement of higher mathematics in India.
NBHM plays a pivotal role in shaping policies for the growth of mathematics, supporting the establishment and expansion of mathematical centres, and providing financial aid for research projects as well as doctoral and postdoctoral scholars in the field of mathematics.
Provider Name: National Board for Higher Mathematics (NBHM)
Eligibility Criteria: Applicants meeting any of the following criteria are eligible to apply:
- Candidates currently in their final year or holding a B.A./B.Sc. degree in mathematics with an aggregate score of 60% or higher.
- Candidates with a B.A.(Hons.)/B.Sc.(Hons.) degree in mathematics and an aggregate score of 50% or higher.
- Candidates who have completed a five-year integrated master’s program in mathematics with an aggregate score of 60% or higher.
- Additionally, applicants must have a strong aspiration to pursue a master’s degree in mathematics.
- They must hold Indian citizenship.
Awards:
- Successful candidates will receive a scholarship of ₹6,000 per month during the two-year period of the post-graduate program or the final two years of the five-year integrated masters program.
- The scholarships are sanctioned for one year at a time and are renewable at the end of the year, subject to satisfactory progress.
- Students in their final year of the M.A. / M.Sc. or five-year integrated masters program will receive the scholarship for only one year.
Application Process: Candidates can apply for the scholarship through the official website of the NBHM.
Kishore Vaigyanik Protsahan Yojana (KVPY) Scholarship
The Kishore Vaigyanik Protsahan Yojana (KVPY) is an ongoing National Programme aimed at offering mentorship and scholarship assistance to individuals pursuing studies in Basic Sciences.
The KVPY programme is initiated and financially supported by the Department of Science and Technology, Government of India. However, its administration and implementation are overseen by the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) Bangalore.
The primary objective is to attract highly motivated students to the field of science and encourage them to embark on careers in research.
Provider Name: Department of Science and Technology, Government of India
Eligibility Criteria:
- Students studying in Class 11 up to the 1st year of undergraduate programmes in Basic Sciences (B.Sc./B.S./B.Stat./B.Math./Int. M.Sc./M.S.) in Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, and Biology are eligible.
- Applicants should possess a strong aptitude for scientific research.
Awards:
- Selected KVPY fellows receive generous fellowships up to the pre-Ph.D. level.
- The fellowship amount and duration vary based on the level of study and the academic performance of the recipients.
Application Process:
- IISc establishes special groups and committees to review applications and conduct aptitude tests at various centres across the nation.
- Following the aptitude test, candidates who perform well are invited for an interview, which serves as the concluding phase of the selection process.
- To qualify for a fellowship, the marks obtained in both the aptitude test and the interview are taken into account.
Candidates can check the application process at the official website of the KVPY.
The SilverZone Olympiad
The International Olympiad of Mathematics (iOM) is a globally recognised educational event that attracts mathematics enthusiasts from across the globe. It’s a much-anticipated contest that sparks students’ creativity and offers them a platform to demonstrate their capabilities.
The annual competition takes place at both national and international levels, encompassing curricula from diverse boards such as CBSE, ICSE, ICBSE, and other State Boards.
Provider Name: Silverzone Foundation
Eligibility Criteria:
Level 1:
- Students from 1st to 12th grade are eligible to participate in Level 1.
- Both Indian and international students can take part in the exam.
- Students from CBSE/ICSE/State Boards are eligible for the exam.
Level 2:
- Top 1000 Olympiad rank holders from 4th to 1003rd position, scoring a minimum of 50% marks and above, will qualify for the Level 2 exam
- Students who secure the first position in their class, attaining a minimum of 75% marks and displaying 100% participation in the relevant subject at their school are also eligible.
Level 3:
- First rank holders in the International Olympiad from classes 6 to 12 during the Level 2 will qualify for Level 3.
Rewards:
Level 1 Scholarships & Prizes:
- 1st, 2nd & 3rd rank holders of every class in each school will receive Gold, Silver, and Bronze medals, respectively, provided the topper obtains at least 50% marks.
- Rank holders from 4th to 10th in each class will be awarded a wristwatch.
- Rank holders from 11th to 25th in each class will receive exciting prizes.
- Rank holders from 26th to 500th in each class will be awarded topper achievement certificates.
- All participants will receive a Student Participation Certificate (SPC) and Descriptive Assessment Report.
Level 2 Scholarships & Prizes:
- 1st rank holders of classes 12 and 11 will receive ₹75,000 and ₹50,000 respectively along with a winner’s trophy.
- 1st rank holders from classes 1 to 10 will receive a cash prize of ₹20,000 each along with a winner’s trophy.
- 2nd Olympiad rank holder in each class will receive a cash prize of ₹15,000 each with a Winner’s Trophy.
- 3rd Olympiad rank holder in each class will receive a cash prize of ₹ 10,000 each with a Winner’s Trophy.
- All zonal rank 1st, 2nd, and 3rd rank holders of all classes will receive exciting prizes (minimum 50% marks).
- All participants will receive a Student Participation Certificate (SPC).
Level 3 Awards:
- The top two performers (1st and 2nd rank) of Level 3 will be awarded an educational excursion to NASA.
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Top Mathematics Olympiads in India and Abroad
1. The Asian Pacific Mathematics Olympiad (APMO) is a mathematical competition that brings together countries in the Pacific-Rim Region.
This annual event is organised locally by a designated representative from each participating country. A central committee selects a set of 5 questions to be solved within a 4-hour time frame, provides grading criteria, and identifies award recipients.
Initiated in 1989, the APMO has several objectives:
- To identify, nurture, and challenge mathematically talented high-school students.
- To promote cordial international relations and collaboration among students and educators across the region.
- To facilitate the exchange of information regarding school curricula and teaching practices.
- To inspire and endorse mathematical engagement through Olympiad-style activities within participating nations and throughout the region.
2. The Indian National Mathematical Olympiad (INMO), an annual event across India since 1989, is a prestigious high school mathematics competition.
It is the third level in India’s process to select the team for the International Mathematical Olympiad. The Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education (HBCSE) manages it, guided by the National Board of Higher Mathematics (NBHM).
3. The Mathematical Kangaroo, known as the Jeu-Concours Kangourou or Kangaroo Challenge in French, is a global mathematics contest spanning seventy-seven countries.
With participation levels spanning from grade 1 to grade 12, this competition takes place every year on the third Thursday of March.
Featuring a variety of non-standard problems in a multiple-choice format, it encourages fundamental computational skills, innovative thinking, logical reasoning, and creative problem-solving strategies.
The contest often incorporates intriguing narratives, challenging puzzles, and unexpected outcomes, fostering engaging discussions among peers and family.
4. The Championnat International des Jeux Mathématiques et Logiques stands as a distinguished international mathematics competition designed to cater to French-speaking countries. The competition’s uniqueness lies in its provision of assistance that transcends language barriers.
5. The Balkan Mathematical Olympiad is an esteemed international competition tailored for students hailing from European nations.
6. The International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO) is an annual worldwide mathematics competition for high school students, hosted in a different country each year.
Since its inception in 1959 in Romania with the participation of seven countries, the IMO has evolved to encompass over 100 countries spanning five continents. The IMO Board ensures the annual occurrence of the competition while upholding its established regulations and traditions.
7. The International Mathematics Competition for University Students (IMC) is an annual mathematics contest open to all undergraduate mathematics scholars.
Eligible participants must be no older than twenty-three years at the time of the IMC. While primarily an individual competition, many participating universities opt to assemble and send one or more teams of students.
English serves as the official working language for all Pacific-Rim participants.
Maths Scholarships – Navigating the Application Process and Eligibility Criteria
- Academic Excellence: Most maths scholarships require a demonstrated record of exceptional academic performance in mathematics.
- Entrance Examinations: Some scholarships may involve a competitive entrance examination to gauge the applicant’s mathematical aptitude.
- Research and Publications: Scholarships for researchers might consider the applicant’s contributions to mathematical research and publications.
Maths Scholarships – Tips
- Research Thoroughly: Gather information about different maths scholarships, their eligibility criteria, and application deadlines.
- Gather Documentation: Prepare all necessary documents, including academic transcripts, certificates, and recommendation letters.
- Highlight Achievements: Emphasise your mathematical achievements, research projects, Olympiad participation, and leadership roles.
- Craft a Compelling Statement: Write a compelling personal statement that showcases your passion for mathematics and your future aspirations.
Maths Scholarships – Advantages
- Financial Support: Maths scholarships alleviate the financial burden of higher education, covering tuition fees, books, and other academic expenses.
- Prestige and Recognition: Being a recipient of a maths scholarship reflects a student’s proficiency in the subject and can significantly enhance their academic profile.
- Access to Quality Education: Many maths scholarships provide access to esteemed institutions and renowned faculties, enabling students to receive a world-class education.
- Networking Opportunities: Scholarship recipients often become part of a community of like-minded individuals, facilitating connections and collaborations.
Top Maths Scholarships and Olympiads – Important Links
| Scholarships/Olympiads | Important Links |
| The Ramanujan Fellowship by SERB (Science and Engineering Research Board) | serb.gov.in/page/awards_fellowship |
| The NBHM Scholarships (National Board for Higher Mathematics) | nbhm.dae.gov.in/ |
| Kishore Vaigyanik Protsahan Yojana (KVPY) Scholarship | dst.gov.in/scientific-programmes/scientific-engineering-research/kishore-vaigyanik-protsahan-yojana-kvpy |
| The SilverZone Olympiad | silverzone.org/ |
| Asian Pacific Mathematics Olympiad (APMO) | apmo-official.org/ |
| Mathematical Kangaroo | mathkangaroo.in/ |
| Balkan Mathematical Olympiad | bmos.ukmt.org.uk/home/balkan.shtml |
| International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO) | imo-official.org/ |
| International Mathematics Competition for University Students (IMC) | imc-math.org.uk/ |
Maths Scholarships – Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Are maths scholarships only for postgraduate and research-level students?
No, maths scholarships are available for students at various educational levels, from school to postgraduate studies.
Are maths scholarships exclusive to pure mathematics, or are applied maths fields also included?
Maths scholarships cover a wide range of mathematical disciplines, including pure and applied mathematics.
Can international students studying in India apply for these scholarships?
Some scholarships may be open to international students, but reviewing specific eligibility criteria is advisable.
How do maths scholarships impact future career prospects?
Maths scholarships enhance students' academic profile, increasing their chances of securing advanced research opportunities and prestigious positions.
Can maths scholarships be combined with other financial aid?
Scholarship terms may vary, some scholarships can be combined with other financial assistance, while others may not.
Are there scholarships for students specialising in niche areas of mathematics?
Yes, some maths scholarships cater to students pursuing specialised areas within mathematics.