The National Centre for Biological Sciences (NCBS) has announced a call for proposals for the second cohort of its Program for the Archiving of Science and Technology (PAST), an initiative focused on preserving and documenting India’s scientific and technological heritage.
The announcement was listed on the India Science, Technology and Innovation portal on Friday. The programme provides an opportunity to strengthen the documentation of scientific work, research institutions, technologies and developments that have contributed to India’s research ecosystem.
Scientific progress is often recorded through research papers, laboratory reports, institutional archives, photographs, correspondence, instruments and personal accounts of researchers. Preserving such material can help future generations understand how scientific knowledge developed and how institutions responded to changing research priorities.
Archiving science and technology also helps maintain records that may otherwise become difficult to access as researchers retire, laboratories change their systems or older documents deteriorate. Properly organised collections can support historical research, institutional learning and public understanding of science.
NCBS, based in Bengaluru, is a major research institution with expertise in biological sciences. Its archival work contributes to efforts to document the history and development of science in India.
The PAST programme offers a structured platform for proposals related to science and technology archives. The second cohort provides an opportunity for eligible applicants to develop projects that identify, organise and preserve historically significant material.
For researchers and institutions, such work can involve locating important records, establishing their provenance, creating descriptions and metadata, and developing systems that make collections accessible for research. Digital preservation can also help protect records and improve their discoverability, although it requires appropriate technical and institutional support.
Scientific archives serve an important role beyond historical documentation. They can help researchers trace the development of ideas, understand past methods and identify connections between earlier work and contemporary scientific questions.
Interested applicants should consult the official NCBS call for details on eligibility, proposal requirements, selection procedures and deadlines before submitting an application.
The announcement highlights the importance of preserving India’s scientific memory alongside investment in new discoveries. By documenting the people, institutions and work behind scientific progress, archival initiatives can help ensure that valuable knowledge remains available to future generations.
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