Privacy Policy
RYSI is a programme for children, and protecting their information is a responsibility we take seriously. This policy explains what we collect and how we use it.
Template — to be reviewed. This privacy policy is a general, good-faith draft and is not legal advice. It should be reviewed by a qualified professional and finalised before the programme begins collecting information online.
Last updated: this is a template draft.
Who we are
The Raman Young Scientist Initiative (“RYSI”, “the Raman Award”, “we”, “us”) is a school science-awards programme for students in India, grades 3 to 10. This policy applies to the RYSI website and to information gathered through nominations and related programme activities.
What we collect
When a student is nominated or a person contacts us, we may collect:
- The student’s name, grade and category, and school details (school name, board, city, state).
- Contact details of a parent, guardian or teacher — name, email address and phone number.
- Project information such as a project title and the contents of a submission.
- Messages you send us, and the information you choose to include in them.
- Basic, non-identifying technical data your browser sends when you visit the site (such as general usage statistics), where applicable.
How we use it
- To register and manage nominations, and to communicate about a student’s participation.
- To evaluate projects and administer the stages of the award.
- To recognise and announce finalists and winners as part of the programme (see “Recognition” below).
- To respond to questions and provide support.
- To understand and improve the programme.
Children’s privacy & parental consent
RYSI is intended for children. Nominations are expected to be made or authorised by a parent, guardian or a teacher acting on the student’s behalf. By submitting a nomination, that adult confirms they have the authority to share the student’s information for the purposes described here. A parent or guardian may ask us to review, correct or remove their child’s information at any time using the contact details below.
Recognition & publication
As an awards programme, RYSI may publish the names, schools, categories, project titles and photographs of finalists and winners as part of celebrating their achievement. Where we intend to publish a child’s photograph or detailed personal information, we will seek appropriate parental consent. If you would prefer your child’s details not be published, please tell us.
We do not sell your data
We do not sell or rent personal information to anyone. We share information only as needed to run the programme — for example, with educators and reviewers who evaluate projects, or with service providers who help us operate the website and communications — and only to the extent necessary.
How long we keep it
We keep information for as long as needed to run the programme and recognise participants, and as required for our legitimate record-keeping. You may ask us to delete information that we are not required to keep.
Keeping information safe
We take reasonable steps to protect the information we hold. No method of transmission or storage is perfectly secure, but we work to safeguard personal information against loss, misuse and unauthorised access.
Your choices
You can ask us to access, correct or delete personal information, or to stop contacting you, by writing to us. We will respond within a reasonable time.
Changes to this policy
We may update this policy as the programme evolves or as the law requires. The latest version will always be available on this page.
Contact us
For any privacy question or request, please write to us at no-reply@ramanaward.org or via our contact page.