Research Grant For In-Service Faculty Members
₹10 lakh research grant · in-service university faculty · 2-year tenure · 200 slots
Regularly appointed university and college faculty members (under 50 years, with at least 10 service years remaining, who have supervised 5 PhDs and completed 2 sponsored projects) can receive a ₹10 lakh research grant from UGC for 2 years. The grant covers equipment, consumables, fieldwork, and domestic travel — but not furniture, international travel, or staff salaries. Apply once a year via the UGC online portal at frg.ugc.ac.in.
About This Scheme
Regularly appointed university and college faculty members (under 50 years, with at least 10 service years remaining, who have supervised 5 PhDs and completed 2 sponsored projects) can receive a ₹10 lakh research grant from UGC for 2 years. The grant covers equipment, consumables, fieldwork, and domestic travel — but not furniture, international travel, or staff salaries. Apply once a year via the UGC online portal at frg.ugc.ac.in.
Full official description
The scheme "Research Grant for In-Service Faculty Members" was introduced by the University Grants Commission (UGC), Department of Higher Education (DoHE). The objective of this research grant is to provide opportunities to regularly appointed faculty members of Universities/ Institutes/ Colleges (hereinafter “Institutions”) to pursue research in their area(s).
Benefits
- ₹10,00,000 total research grant, usable over 2 years
- Released in 3 installments: 50% on joining, 25% after first utilization certificate, 25% as reimbursement
- Can be used for: minor equipment, consumables, fieldwork, domestic travel, and contingencies
- Cannot be used for: international travel, furniture, project assistant salaries, or research fellow salaries
- 200 slots available per cycle (or as decided by UGC Commission)
💡 Why Startups Should Care
Faculty members co-founding a deep-tech startup can use this ₹10 lakh grant to fund equipment, consumables, and travel that directly supports early-stage R&D — without needing startup revenue or diluting equity.
Who Can Apply (Eligibility)
- Must be a regularly appointed faculty member at a NAAC-accredited university, deemed university, government-funded institution, or Institution of National Importance
- Age must not exceed 50 years at the time of application
- Must have at least 10 years of service remaining in the institution from the date of submission
- Must have successfully supervised at least 5 full-time Ph.D. students
- Must have successfully completed at least 2 sponsored research projects funded by national or international agencies
Exclusions
- Not available to awardees found ineligible or providing false information
- Not available to those involved in misconduct, plagiarism, or corrupt practices
- Not available to those violating fellowship terms and conditions
How to Apply
- Watch for the annual advertisement on ugc.ac.in and in leading newspapers
- Visit frg.ugc.ac.in and read the guidelines for your scheme
- Click 'New User' to register with your email address
- Upload a scanned passport-size photograph and signature (JPG, max 1MB)
- Log in with credentials emailed to you and change your password on first login
- Confirm your eligibility criteria on the dashboard
- Fill all profile sections until all icons turn green
- Upload your research proposal (max 5MB) and abstract (max 1MB)
- Print the auto-generated application form, get it signed by HoD/Registrar, and upload it before final submission
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Only The Submission Of An Application Form Guarantee The Award Of A Fellowship And Research Grant?
No, mere submission of an application form does not guarantee the award of a Fellowship and Research Grant.
Who Shall Be Held Responsible If The Applicant Furnishes Incorrect/Incomplete Information That Results In The Cancellation Of His/Her Candidature?
It is the responsibility of the applicant to provide correct information, failing which he/she will be solely responsible for the cancellation for his/her candidature.
What Is Meant By "Aadhaar Seeding"?
The fellowship is directly paid to the research scholars in their bank accounts. For this, the bank account numbers of the scholars are required to be Aadhaar linked and verified. This process is called "Aadhaar Seeding". As per the instructions of the Government of India, the Aadhaar has been made mandatory for the disbursement of all Government subsidies/Scholarships/Fellowships which are disbursed directly into the beneficiary's account. Accordingly, Aadhaar will be used as an Identifier for the release of grants under these schemes.
What Would Be The Mode Of Payment For The Scholarship/Fellowship?
The payment of the scholarship/fellowship will be through DBT.
Is There Validity To The Scheme's Benefits?
The benefits are provided till the complete duration of the course.
Can I Apply Offline For The Scholarship/Fellowship?
No. You need to visit the official website to apply.
How Are The Applications Invited For The Purpose Of This Scheme? Is The Application Process Online?
Applications are invited through online mode once in a year through advertisements in leading newspapers & employment news. Short notification is also uploaded in the UGC website i.e. www.ugc.ac.in
Is There Any Application Fee?
No. The entire application process is completely free of cost.
Do I Need To Complete The Application In One Sitting?
No. You can save the application as draft and continue at a later time before the deadline.
How Do I Know If A Field In The Application Form Is Mandatory?
The mandatory fields have a red asterisk (*) mark at the end.
To Whom Should The Candidates Reach Out If They Have Any Doubts Regarding The UGC Scholarship/Fellowship Scheme?
The candidates can reach out to the helpdesk if they have any doubts regarding the UGC scholarship and fellowship schemes. Given below is the UGC helpline for scholarships/fellowships: Address: UGC, Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg, New Delhi - 110002. UGC Scholarship Contact No: 011-23604446, 011-23604200 Email ID: webmaster.ugc.help@gmail.com
What Is The Objective Of This Fellowship Scheme?
The objective of this research grant is to provide opportunities to regularly appointed faculty members of Universities/ Institutes/ Colleges (hereinafter "Institutions") to pursue research in their area(s).
What Will Be The Tenure Of The Fellowship?
The tenure of the fellowship will be 2 years.
How Many Slots Are There In The Fellowship?
There are 200 slots or as may be decided by the Commission.
What Is The Amount Of The Quantum Of Support?
The quantum of support under the scheme is [?] 10,00,000. The grant can be utilized for purchasing items like minor equipment, consumables, contingencies, fieldwork, travel, etc.
Will The Grant Be Released In A Lump Sum Or In Installments?
The grant will be released in 3 installments to the university. (i) Initially, 50% of the grant will be released on receipt of the joining report (Annexure-I). (iii) The next installment of 25% of the research grant shall be paid on submission of the utilization certificate (Annexure II) of the first installment. (ii) The final installment of 25% of the research grant shall be released on a reimbursement basis on submitting the claims and utilization certificate of the second installment. However, the tenure to utilize the whole grant shall be 2 years from the release of the first installment of the research grant.
Can The Grant Be Used For International Travel, And Purchasing Furniture Items?
No, The grant cannot be used for international travel, purchasing furniture items, or for appointing a project assistant or research fellow.
Ready to apply?
Visit the official government portal to apply for this scheme.
Apply on myScheme.gov.inDocuments Required
- Passport-size photograph and signature (JPG, max 1MB)
- Complete research proposal (max 5MB) and abstract (max 1MB)
- Auto-generated application form signed by HoD/Registrar
- Single girl child affidavit on ₹100 stamp paper attested by SDM (if applicable)