Research Support

During 2002-2003, a total of 134 projects in the fields of Agriculture, Biology, Biotechnology, Chemistry, Earth, Engineering, Medical and Physics came under consideration for funding. Among these, 68 projects were newly received while 66 had been carried over from the previous year. Out of these, 27 projects costing Rs.20.081 million were sanctioned in various fields. As many as 33 research papers from PSF funded projects were published in different scientific journals. In addition, 7 Ph.D., 35 M.Phil and 8 MSc (Hons) degrees were awarded to the Research Associates employed under PSF supported projects.

Financial Assistance

To enable scientists to share their knowledge and research experience with each other, the Foundation provides partial financial assistance to Universities and R&D organizations for organizing Science Conferences, Seminars, Symposia, Workshops etc. This is a continuing activity of the Foundation. The Foundation provided financial assistance amounting to Rs.0.670 million to various Universities and R&D organizations for organizing 13 National and International Science Conferences, Seminars, Symposia, etc.

Institutional Support

An amount of Rs.0.376 million was released to various institutions as institutional support grant for purchase of laboratory equipment, and accessories.

Grants to Scientific Societies

During the year under report an amount of Rs. 3.06 million was paid to 10 Scientific Societies.

Science Caravan

During the year under report, the Caravan units organized 26 mobile exhibitions and planetarium shows, wherein 373 schools brought their students to witness the exhibition and planetarium/film shows.

Competitions

12th Intra & Inter Board Science Essay and Poster Competition were organized. During the report period, collaboration with UNESCO in their project "Breaking the Poverty Cycle of Women: Empowering the Adolescent Girls to become the Agents of Social Transformation continued.

Donations

Laboratory equipment was purchased for donation to five High schools of NWFP & Punjab provinces. 50 copies of the book entitled: Water and New Technologies edited by renowned scientist Dr. Ashfaq Ahmed Special Advisor to the Prime Minister were acquired for distribution to various universities and R&D organizations. 12000 copies of Global Science were donated to High schools .

Travel Grants

40 scientists availed travel grants.Funds amounting to Rs. 3.289 million were released in this regard.

Career Development of Young Scientists

During the report period, a total of 19 projects were under process. Out of these, 9 research projects in Biological Sciences were approved for funding by the Foundation at a total cost of Rs. 1.668 million. In this way, 9 employed young scientists were provided grants for initiation of research work.