UGC-BSR Faculty Fellowship Scheme 2026: ₹50,000 Monthly Fellowship & Research Grant

At a glance

About the scheme

Implemented by the University Grants Commission under its Basic Scientific Research Programme, this central scheme supports accomplished teachers in Science and Technology at the verge of retirement. It enables them to sustain productive research activity and mentor doctoral students for an additional period after superannuation. The initiative ensures that Indian universities retain top scientific talent and continue generating high-impact academic output.

Benefits

• Financial assistance of ₹50,000 per month (exclusive of pension and retirement benefits).
• Annual research grant of ₹5,00,000 per year.
• Grant covers equipment, computers or laptops, printers, chemicals, glassware, consumables, and contingencies.
• Grant covers project or technical assistant hiring, field work, and domestic travel within India.
• Awardees have flexibility to allocate funds across permitted expenditure heads as needed.
• Fellowship tenure of 3 years or until reaching 68 years of age, whichever is earlier.
• Direct bank account disbursement through UGC-designated banks.

Who can apply (eligibility)

• Applicant must be a Reader, Associate Professor, or Professor in the Science and Technology departments of a university.
• Must have successfully guided at least 15 Ph.D. dissertations in Basic Sciences, or 10 in Engineering and Technology.
• At least 5 Ph.D. candidates must have completed their degrees in the preceding 10 years.
• Cumulative impact factor of published papers must exceed 50 as per Thomson Reuters Journal Citation Reports.
• Must have handled at least 3 sponsored research projects funded by national or international bodies as Principal Investigator in the last 10 years.
• Application must be submitted within one year of the date of superannuation.
• Host institution must undertake to provide required laboratory infrastructure, administrative support, and permission to supervise at least two stipendiary Ph.D. scholars.

Who cannot apply

• Awardees cannot hold any administrative responsibilities during the fellowship tenure.
• Research grants cannot be used for international travel.
• Research grants cannot be utilized for purchasing furniture.

Documents required

• Award Letter issued by the UGC.
• Joining Report with fellow details, photograph, address, contact number, and Aadhaar card.
• Bank account details including bank name, account number, IFSC, and MICR code.
• Institutional certification confirming physical facilities and superannuation date.
• University Undertaking Form agreeing to UGC norms.
• Continuation Certificate (required every 3 months for fund release).
• Bi-annual progress reports and annual audited statement of accounts with Utilisation Certificates.

How to apply

1. 1Visit the designated UGC fellowship portal at frg.ugc.ac.in.
2. 2Fill in the online fellowship application form with personal, academic, and research project details.
3. 3Upload the required university undertaking and institutional verification documents.
4. 4Submit the online application for initial evaluation by the National Coordinator of the programme.
5. 5The Empowered Committee for Basic Scientific Research reviews recommendations and decides the final selection.

Frequently asked questions