Monsoon Mission
"To Improve Prediction Skill of Monsoon Weather and Climate"
Earth System Science Organization, Ministry of Earth Science
Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology, Pune, India

Annexure - 1

General Guidelines of MoES & Terms and conditions for implementation of the project proposal under the Monsoon Mission

1. Monsoon Mission is being implemented with a vision to develop the state-of-the-art dynamical prediction system for monsoon weather and climate on different time scales. National and international projects are being funded to fulfil these objectives.
2. It is mandatory for the PIs of the monsoon mission projects that they share the results obtained under the project with the participating ESSO institutions and the monsoon mission directorate so that the results can be effectively utilized towards development of operational prediction systems having improved prediction skill.
3. The Principal Investigator (PI) has the primary responsibility for the implementation of the project. It is necessary to ensure that the project is implemented by the project team in a cohesive and constructive manner.
4. In case the PI leaves the institution due to unforeseen circumstances, the Principal Co-Investigator will assume the responsibility of the completion of the project (with due information and authentication of ESSO-MOES).
5. In case of multi-institutional project, the Principal Investigator (PI) has to obtain formal commitment from the collaborating institutions/ scientists in writing.
6. The implementing Institute should provide full infrastructural facilities such as accommodation, water, electricity, communication facilities etc. for smooth implementation of the project.
7. Approval of the research proposal and the grant being released is for the specific project sanctioned and should exclusively be spent on the project related activities within the stipulated time.
8. Research personnel appointed under the project, for the full/ part duration of the project will be governed by the administrative rules/ service conditions of the implementing Institute. No reference on these issues to be made to ESSO-MoES. The ESSO-MoES or the Monsoon Mission Directorate will have no liability, whatsoever, for the project staff recruited by the institute for the monsoon mission project.
9. Recruitment of project staff and the emoluments will be as per the norms of the Government of India. {This rule is applicable only for the recruitment made in India}.
10. The principal institute assumes to undertake the financial and other administrative responsibilities of the project.
11. The implementing institute will maintain separate audited accounts for the project. Any interest earned from the funds provided under the monsoon mission should be reported to this monsoon mission directorate and should be reflected in the Statement of Expenditure.
12. ESSO/MoES reserves the right to terminate the project at any stage if it is convinced that the grant has not been properly utilised or appropriate progress is not being made. ESSO-MoES shall be liable for all reasonable costs incurred or committed by institution pursuant to the research prior to the said termination and shall pay institution for the same on receipt of a final invoice.
13. The Comptroller & Auditor General of India, at his discretion, shall have the right of access to the financial books and accounts of the Institute maintained in respect of the grant received from the Government of India at mutually agreed upon times and during normal business hours.
14. At the end of each financial year (FY) and at the time of seeking further instalment of grant, the Institute/ PI has to furnish the following documents strictly as per the ESSO-MoES format.
  • Two copies of audited Utilization Certificate (UC) and up to date Statement of Expenditure (SE) including expenditure for the previous financial year (in original); {Format for Utilization Certificate: Annexure – 4}.
  • Latest audited Statement of Expenditure including Committed Expenditure.
  • Technical Progress Report, if not sent earlier. {Format for Detailed Project Report/ Annual Technical Progress Report: Annexure – 5}.
  • List of Assets acquired till that Financial Year.
  • Status of manpower engaged in the project.
15. Any unspent balance of grant of the previous financial year may be carried forward to the next financial year during the tenure of the project, with the concurrence of the monsoon mission directorate.
16. The Institute/ PI is expected to settle the accounts within 6 (six) months from the date of completion of the project.
17. For permanent, semi-permanent or infrastructural assets acquired solely from the project grants, an audited record shall be maintained by the Institute.
18. All the assets acquired from the grant will be the property of Government of India and should not be disposed off or encumbered or utilised for purpose other than those for which the grant had been sanctioned, without the prior sanction of the monsoon mission directorate.
19. Any expenditure incurred prior to the issue of the financial sanction/approval order and after the expiry of the sanctioned duration of the project shall not be admissible
20. The PI is expected to attend Monitoring Meetings/Workshop to present the progress/outcome of the research project, as and when organised. The monsoon mission directorate organizes the Scientific Review and Monitoring Committee (SRMC) meetings wherein PIs/Co PIs and research staff are invited to present the technical progress of their project. Subsequent release of grants would be based on the SRMC recommendations.
21. While publishing research papers/reports based on the results from the monsoon mission project, the PI will acknowledge the financial support given by Ministry of Earth Sciences in all publications (reports/scientific papers/review articles etc) emerging out of the research/activity undertaken under this project as per the following format
"The author/authors gratefully acknowledge the financial support given by the Earth System Science Organization, Ministry of Earth Sciences, Government of India (Grant no. / project no) to conduct this research under Monsoon Mission."
22. It is highly desirable for the PI to publish at least one paper in a reputed Indian journal (for example, Journal of Earth System Science or Current Science). A soft copy of the paper published should be sent to the monsoon mission directorate.
23. If the results of research are to be legally protected, the results should not be published without action being taken to secure legal protection for the research results.
24. The projects identified by the monsoon mission directorate that have potential for generating know-how in the form of product/ process/ design etc. through patents, copyrights etc. should preferably follow their Institute guidelines for patenting/ copyright. A copy of any such application should also be sent to the monsoon mission directorate.
25. The matter related to intellectual property rights that arise as a result of joint research under the monsoon mission will be resolved on case-to-case basis and will be consistent with officially laid down IPR policies of the implementing institute and ESSO-MoES.
26. The PI, while publishing papers related to the Monsoon Mission Project, should acknowledge the source of funding under the Monsoon Mission of the Ministry of Earth Sciences, Govt. of India, as a monsoon Mission contribution. After acceptance of the paper, Contribution number may be obtained from Monsoon Mission Directorate and the Contribution number should be mentioned in the published paper.