Question – 1: What is Research Awards?
Answer
1.1 Scheme: The Venus International Research Awards (VIRA) scheme was instituted in the year 2015 by the Centre for Research and Innovation (CRI) of Venus International Foundation (VIF), are presented yearly during the Annual Research Meet (ARM). The scheme has a Policy, Nomination Form, Expert Committee and Judging Process governed by the Board of Trust.

1.2 Award: The Award is a Certificate. It Recognizes Individuals for their Quality, Reliability and Competence to Apply Knowledge and Skills to carry out specific tasks. Read More ...

Question – 2: What are the eligibility criteria to apply for VIRA 2025?
Answer:
Please refer clause 3 and 4 of the policy document

Question – 3: How many entrants win VIRA Awards?
Answer:
For each category/discipline (Eg. Outstanding Researcher – Computer Science) the expert committee will select 3 nominees. However the Apex Committee reserve the rights to honour less or more than 3 nominees in any category who meet standards set by the expert committee.

Question – 4: What are the VIRA process?
Answer:
Please refer clause 8 of the policy document

Question – 5: Why the "Selected Nominee" of VIRA 2025 has to Register for the ARM Program?
Answer:
5.1 Registration Fees: The ARM is organized every year at Chennai city and it is a self-supporting event. The Meet registration fees are major source of revenue for running the event.

5.2 Expenses: All the expenses (Administrative – Materials and Hall – Service Tax and Accounting – Website Design and Maintenance) of the meet are covered by event income (registration fees from participants) and Foundation operating funds.

Question – 6: After registering for the ARM 2025, if the "VIRA 2025 Winner" is unable to attend the current year ceremony, how to receive the Award?
Answer:
We expect the Award Winner's presence on the day of Ceremony. In case, if the Winner is unable to attend, He/She can choose any 'ONE/TWO' of the following options to receive the VIRA 2025 Award.

6.1 DEPUTE A PERSON to current year '11th Research Awards – VIRA 2025' Ceremony
The Winner can depute a person to attend the '11th Research Awards – VIRA 2025 ' ceremony to receive the Award.

6.2 IN ABSENTIA CATEGORY
In this case, the VIRA Team will send a Soft Copy of the Award Certificate during 2nd week of December 2025 and the Hard Copy of the Award Certificate via courier to the Winner's Address during the 4th week of December 2025.

6.3 RECEIVE THE AWARD IN PERSON DURING NEXT YEAR '12th Research Awards' (or later on at 13th Research Awards) Ceremony

The '11th Research Awards – VIRA 2025' Winner can attend next year '12th Research Awards' (or later on at 13th Research Awards) Ceremony; and can "Receive the Award in Person" under the Past Awardee Category.

An Official Invitation Letter, to join for '12th Research Meet' (or 13th Research Meet) will be communicated prior to the Event. In this option, He/She need not register for 12th ARM (or 13th ARM).

In this case, the VIRA Team will send a Soft Copy of the Award Certificate during 2nd week of December 2025 and the Hard Copy of the Award Certificate via courier to the Winner's Address during the 4th week of December 2025.

6.4 DEPUTE A PERSON DURING NEXT YEAR '12th Research Awards' (or later on at 13th Research Awards) Ceremony

The '11th Research Awards – VIRA 2025' Winner can depute a person to attend next year '12th Research Awards' (or later on at 13th Research Awards) Ceremony; and can "Receive the Award" under the Past Awardee Category.

An Official Invitation Letter, to join for '12th Research Meet' (or 13th Research Meet) will be communicated prior to the Event. In this option, He/She need not register for 12th ARM (or 13th ARM).

In this case, the VIRA Team will send a Soft Copy of the Award Certificate during 2nd week of December 2025 and the Hard Copy of the Award Certificate via courier to the Winner's Address during the 4th week of December 2025.