Govt launches archaeological research fellowship scheme

Panaji: Govt has launched the Goa archaeological research fellowship scheme to encourage qualified scholars to delve into Goa’s ancient history using primary archaeological sources.The scheme offers four research fellowships, split evenly between junior and senior levels, each awarded for two years. Junior fellows will receive a monthly stipend of Rs 25,000, and senior fellows Rs 40,000.The scheme targets scholars with a background in ancient Indian history, culture and archaeology, history, or Indology. The fellowship is a one-time award per category per individual, and recipients cannot avail themselves of other department of archaeology fellowships for five years after their project submission.A five-member committee will review proposals and select fellows based on academic merit and project relevance. Selected scholars must submit half-yearly progress reports and deliver their final project within 30 days after completing their tenure. The research outcomes will become the exclusive property of the department of archaeology.A dedicated monitoring and review committee will oversee the fellowship’s progress, meeting regularly to evaluate ongoing projects. The fellowship’s initial validity is two years, with scope for govt to update guidelines or extend the scheme.