The National Science Foundation (NSF) is mandated to generate, disseminate and transfer knowledge ensuring its effective utilization for the greater benefit of the people of Sri Lanka. The R & D grant schemes seek to foster the formation of multi-disciplinary teams to conduct cutting-edge research and development projects that are of relevance to Sri Lanka and the society.

The second of the series of teacher training workshops 2022 was successfully held on 16th March 2022 at the Higgaswaththa Primary School Kuruwita with participation of about 100 science teachers representing 1AB, 1C and Type 2 schools in the Ratnapura and Nivithigala education zones.

A series of teacher training workshops were planned for 2022. The first workshop was successfully held on the 15th of March at the President’s College, Embilipitiya with the participation of around 200 science teachers representing 1AB, 1C and Type 2 schools in the Embilipitiya and Balangoda education zones.

Dr Sepalika Nayanie Sudasinghe has been appointed as the Director General of National Science Foundation (NSF) which is functioning under the purview of State Ministry of Skills Development, Vocational Training, Research, and Innovations with effect from 14 March 2022 by the State Ministry.

This year, the Journal of the National Science Foundation (JNSF) will mark 50 years of publishing and disseminating S&T related research findings to the globe.

There is renewed interest in STEM Education in Sri Lanka. Therefore, a meeting was held at Isurupaya on the 22nd December 2021 under the chairmanship of the former Hon. Minister of Education Reforms, Dr. Susil Premajayantha, with the participation of the

Since February 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic has severely affected the whole world, and the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) is not exempted.

There are nearly three million Sri Lankan expatriates and emigrants in the world, including an appreciable number of reputed scientists and professionals holding senior positions in academia, R&D institutions and industry. They constitute a formidable potential asset of Sri Lanka which has hitherto been almost untapped for national development.

In keeping with the national policy, the NSF has accorded high priority to strengthen local industries in Sri Lanka. Accordingly, Prof. Ranjith Senaratne, Chairman, Dr. Dilrukshi Ranatunga, Head, Division of Science Communication and Outreach and Eng. Mahesh Dissanayake, Head, Division of Research of the NSF visited the State Ministry of Rattan, Brass, Pottery, Furniture and Rural Industrial Promotion on 03rd March 2022 and held discussions with its Secretary,   Mr. Vijith Bandaranayake and other senior officials  with a view to identifying high-priority interventions that could potentially promote exports  in the short and medium term time horizons.

The dynamics of the 21st century knowledge economy is being progressively driven by scientific and technological capabilities of a nation. The economic growth, prosperity and development of a country is increasingly being determined by its S&T competence and strength rather than its material and resource base. Recognizing that S&T is an important instrument in the growth paradigm, both developed and developing countries have evolved S&T policies to augment and strengthen their research infrastructure and technology intensity. India over the years has evolved a policy and program framework aimed at strengthening research and education infrastructure, building excellence and capacity in science for fostering knowledge creation and promoting innovation. India with its long culture and tradition in science has positioned itself as one of the leading countries in basic research supported through a vast network of apex R&D institutions. India is keen to enter into partnerships with its neighbouring countries to foster closer scientific and technological collaboration through human capacity building in advanced areas of research and development. The India Science and Research Fellowship (ISRF) aims at providing opportunities to researchers and scientists from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Thailand to undertake R&D at premier research and academic institutions in India. Downloads ISRF Brochure (pdf, 759kb) ISRF Application (doc, 99kb)

Prof. Ranjith Senaratne, Chairman of the National Science Foundation was the chief guest at the inaugural ceremony of Certificate in Teaching in Higher Education of the KDU held on 24. February 2022. It was organized by  Dr. Faiz Marikkar, Director of the Staff Development Centre and was attended by Major General Milinda Pieris, VIce-Chancellor, Prof. K.A.S. Dhammika, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), Deans and academic staff.

International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB) is calling applications for the ICGEB Collaborative Research Programme (CRP) 2022.

This programme provides support for research activities in basic life sciences, human health care, industrial & agricultural biotechnology and bioenergy.

Principal Investigators (PIs) of prospective research teams are expected to submit their complete applications online via the dedicated portal of the ICGEB. E-versions of complete applications must also be forwarded to the Director General, National Science Foundation (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) with a copy to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

The closing date for the submission of applications is 30^th April 2022.  

For more information, please visit the link below: 

https://www.icgeb.org/activities/grants/

The National Science Foundation (NSF) embarked upon a new initiative with a view to forging strategic public-private partnerships (PPPs) for wealth creation through development of disruptive technologies and innovation. In this connection, preliminary discussions were  held with the Colombo Chambers of Commerce (CCC) on the 2^nd February 2022 with the participation of several outstanding economists, business leaders  and  entrepreneurs under the chairmanship of Prof. Ranjith Senaratne, Chairman of the NSF.

With its vast and comprehensive  intellectual and R&D resource base and global network with outstanding Sri Lankan expatriates across the globe,  the NSF is in a unique position to harness, mobilize and channel intellectual assets to meet the needs and challenges of industry. To this end, it proposes to bring   the key players, namely academia,  R&D institutions,  public sector and industry under one roof to forge strategic PPPs in high-priority and high-impact fields in a mutually rewarding and reinforcing manner to promote  economic development of the country with emphasis on export promotion and FDI.

During the discussion,  several high-priority areas were identified and strategies for  the way forward were  discussed. Need to pay particular attention to immediate and short-term needs of the country while ensuring long-term sustainability was stressed.

Mr. Manjula de Silva, Secretary General/ CEO, the CCC, Dr. W. A. Wijewardena, former Deputy Governor, Central Bank of Sri Lanka, Dr Chandra Embuldeniya, Chairman of the Technology Development & Innovation  Arm of the NSF,  Mr Rizvi Zaheed, Chairman of the Agripreneurs' Forum and Mr. Shiran Fernando, Chief Economist of  the CCC were present. It was decided to hold  the next meeting with the participation of all the key Chambers of Commerce in Sri Lanka,  covering both the corporate and SME sectors and thought leaders such as Prof. Ajantha Dharmasiri, former Director of the PIM and Mr. Deepal Sooriyaarachchi who have considerable experience in working with the private sector.

The National Science Foundation (NSF) celebrated the World Science Day (WSD) on 16th November 2021 under the theme “Let’s Apply Science to Rebuild the Nation” (විදු නැණ යොදවමු: යලි රට නංවමු)” as a hybrid event at the BMICH. Dr Seetha Arambepola, Hon. State Minister of Skills Development, Vocational Education, Research and Development was the Chief Guest.

Prof. Ranjith Senaratne, Chairman of the National Science Foundation in his opening remarks highlighted the impact of science and technology to the development of humankind and the importance of enhancing scientific literacy among people in the areas of infectious diseases, disasters, environment, climate change etc. Addressing the gathering, the Hon. Minister stressed the importance of science and scientific thinking in day to day life. She emphasized the significance of taking science to the community using simple and effective communication techniques making it more understandable and interesting to public. She appreciated the initiatives taken by the NSF, to create a scientific culture in schools and engaging schools in different activities that awaken the interest of children in learning and using science in their lives. Senior Prof. Sampath Amaratunge/Chairman of the University Grant Commission, Prof. Neelika Malavige, a professor in immunology and molecular medicine, University of Sri Jayewardenepura and Mr Manju Gunewardena/Director Sri Lanka Institute of Nanotechnology were the keynote speakers of the event.

Number of awards under the NSF School Science Competitions, Kid naturalist Competition, and Science Research Project Competition (SRPC) were conferred to the winners. Best performed School Science Society and the Best Science Teacher of the Year in Popularizing Science were also recognized at the ceremony. This year’s event was combined with the SUSRED awards (Scientists for Successful Supervision of Postgraduate Degrees and NSF Technology Awards to scientists. View at YouTube via https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z5QAoE5gqSk

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