Zeeshan Khan Memorial Award for Excellence in Light Microscopy

The National Centre for Biological Sciences (NCBS), in collaboration with DSS Imagetech Pvt. Ltd., is pleased to announce the Zeeshan Khan Memorial Award for Excellence in Light Microscopy. This award recognizes the creative and impactful use of light microscopy in advancing biological and clinical research.

The award will be presented during the Bangalore Microscopy Course (BMC) 2026 and celebrates outstanding research that demonstrates innovation and excellence in microscopy.

Award Details

Researchers are invited to submit their best published work utilizing light microscopy for consideration.

Awards

• First Prize: ₹50,000
• Second Prize: ₹30,000
• Certificates for both awardees

Application Deadline: 5 September 2026

Eligibility

Applicants must meet the following criteria:

• Hold two completed academic years at an Indian academic or research institution by 31 August 2026.
• Applications are open to all investigators; only one application per first and/or corresponding author is permitted.
• The submitted work must have been carried out in India using microscopy as a significant experimental tool and published (or accepted for publication) between 1 September 2025 and 31 August 2026.

Submission Requirements

Applicants should submit:

• A PDF of the published paper or the final accepted manuscript.
• A copy of the PAN card (Permanent Account Number).
• No Objection Certificate (NOC) from all co-authors, signed.

Selection Process

Submissions will undergo a rigorous review by an international panel of experts.

Evaluation will be based on:

• Scientific quality
• Novelty and innovation
• Impact of microscopy in the research
• Experimental design
• Execution and interpretation of the study

The winners will be announced and honoured during the Bangalore Microscopy Course (BMC) 2026.

Terms & Conditions

• By applying, participants agree to abide by the official rules and the decisions of the judging committee.
• The organizers reserve the right to modify, suspend, or cancel the competition if necessary.
• Applicants retain ownership of their submitted work while granting the organizers permission to use submission materials for promotional purposes related to the award.
• All applicable taxes on prize money are the responsibility of the award recipients.

Apply Now

If your research showcases the innovative application of light microscopy, we encourage you to submit your work and compete for the Zeeshan Khan Memorial Award for Excellence in Light Microscopy.

Application Deadline: 5 September 2026

Apply by sending e-mail to: ciff@ncbs.res.in