NCSTC Research Storyteller Challenge

Awards:

• First Prize: ₹5,000

• Second Prize: ₹3,000

• Third Prize: ₹2,000

• 5 Consolation Prizes: ₹1,000 each

• Publication: Selected/shortlisted stories shall be published, with due attribution to the author and institution.

• Participation certificate to all authentic entries.

About the Challenge:

The Research Storyteller Challenge is a national-level science communication competition for conveying scientific research in a clear and engaging language that can be understood by a common man who may or may not be from the science background. The aim is not to make research sound complicated and technical, instead it is to make important research understandable, relevant, and memorable. Tell the story of your research in a way that answers simple questions like: What problem were you trying to solve, and how did you identify it? Why does this problem matter? What did you do? What did you discover? Why should anyone care? How is it useful to society or the beneficiary? What impact has it made or has the potential to make?

The golden rule: Participants should not write the submission as a conventional scientific manuscript. The emphasis is on storytelling, clarity, and common public understanding.

Eligibility:

• Masters / PhD / Post-Docs / Research Scholars, faculty members, scientists, veterinary professionals and other researchers involved in veterinary, animal, wildlife or related science fields.

• Entries should be based primarily on the participant's own research, thesis/dissertation, project, or scientific work. Participants can submit the story of the research that is ongoing, completed, published, or unpublished, provided that the information presented is accurate.

Documents to be attached:

• Scanned copy of the application cum declaration form.

• Attested Plagiarism & AI detection certificate generated using university-approved software.

• Editable word file of your Research Story.

NOTE: The file-name of the documents to be uploaded should necessarily contain the applicant’s name.

Submission Format:

• Each participant may submit one entry in an editable Word Format.

• Story should have the following: Title, Authors, Affiliation, Main Story (upto 2000 words), Keywords.

• Formatting: Times New Roman, 12 pt, Line spacing: 1.5, Title: 14 pt, bold, centered, Page numbers: Bottom centric Language: English Word limit: upto 2000 words

• Images: Relevant images, cartoons, or graphics can be added to the document, provided there are no copyright violations. Maximum 2, with appropriate captions and permissions where applicable.

Originality, Research Ethics and Confidentiality:

• Entries must be original and human-authored work based on the participant’s own research.

• AI must not be used for writing, rewriting, paraphrasing, translation or substantial editing.

• Plagiarism, fabrication, falsification or misrepresentation of research findings will result in disqualification.

• All research claims and findings must be accurate and scientifically responsible.

• Participants must comply with applicable research ethics and institutional requirements.

• All confidential or identifiable information relating to animals, owners, patients, clients or other individuals must be removed or appropriately anonymized.

• Selected stories shall be published or featured by the organizers, with due attribution to the author and institution.

• By submitting, participants consent to such non-exclusive use and remain responsible for the content, originality, permissions and intellectual-property rights of their submission.

Contact:

Dr. Henna Hamadani, Assistant Professor, Division of LPM, SKUAST-K, hamadani.h@skuastkashmir.ac.in  

Organized by:

Division of Livestock Production & Management

in collaboration with the 

Art & Craft Club

Faculty of Veterinary Sciences and Animal Husbandry

Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences & Technology of Kashmir

under the aegis of

National Council for Science and Technology Communication (NCSTC)

Department of Science and Technology, Government of India