Merck, a leading science and technology company, has announced its third edition of the Merck Young Scientist Award 2023 to recognise young scientists in India. This award traditionally acknowledges young scientists from academia, who are making a difference in the lives of millions across India, through their cutting-edge research in life sciences. 

The application process that began on June 26, 2023, continues up to August 16, 2023. 

To be eligible for the 2023 Merck Young Scientist Award, researchers must be associated with a research institute with less than 10 years of post-PhD research experience and reside in India. The winners will be announced at the awards ceremony on November 24, 2023.

This year’s award programme will welcome applications from three distinct categories, namely:

o    Biological Sciences

o    Chemical Sciences

o    A special category dedicated to Sustainability Research (green chemistry, renewable/alternate energy, sustainable materials and manufacturing), 

A total of 10 scientists will be awarded the 2023 Merck Young Scientist Award; 2 winners each in the fields of biological and chemical sciences and 1 winner in sustainability research. Additionally, there will be 5 runner-up recipients. The winners will receive a prize of Rs 350,000 and the runners-up will be awarded Rs 100,000.

Leading the jury for the 2023 Merck Young Scientist Award are three distinguished chairs Dr Anurag Agrawal, Dean of Ashoka University, Dr Radha Rangarajan, Director of CSIR – Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow, and Dr Srinivas Reddy, Director of CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Technology (IICT), Hyderabad. The applications will be reviewed by a distinguished panel of ten members from respected institutes.