Research Grant For In-Service Faculty Members 2026: ₹10 Lakh Grant, Eligibility & How to Apply

At a glance

About the scheme

Introduced by the University Grants Commission (UGC) under the Department of Higher Education, the Research Grant for In-Service Faculty Members scheme aims to promote academic research across Indian universities and colleges. The scheme offers a grant of ₹10 Lakh distributed in three installments over a two-year tenure to cover expenses like minor equipment, consumables, fieldwork, contingencies, and local travel. To ensure high research standards, the initiative is open to regular faculty members who have successfully guided at least five full-time Ph.D. scholars and managed two sponsored research projects.

Benefits

• Total financial assistance of ₹10,00,000 provided over a tenure of 2 years.
• 200 research slots available, or as determined by the Commission.
• Grant covers minor equipment, consumables, contingencies, fieldwork, and travel expenses.
• Recipient has the flexibility to allocate fund amounts across approved heads based on research needs.
• Grant released in three installments to the university: 50% initially upon joining, 25% upon submitting the first utilization certificate, and 25% on a reimbursement basis.

Who can apply (eligibility)

• Applicant must be a regularly appointed faculty member working in eligible UGC-recognised institutions.
• Eligible institutions include Universities under Section 2(f) and Deemed to be Universities under Section 3 of the UGC Act 1956 with valid NAAC accreditation.
• Faculty working in fully funded Central or State Government institutions empowered to award degrees or Institutions of National Importance are also eligible.
• Applicant must not be greater than 50 years of age.
• Candidate must have a minimum of 10 years of service remaining in the university from the date of application.
• Must have successfully supervised the Ph.D. dissertation of at least 5 full-time candidates.
• Must have successfully completed at least 2 sponsored research projects funded by national or international government or private agencies.

Who cannot apply

• Faculty above 50 years of age are not eligible.
• Grant funds cannot be used for international travel.
• Grant cannot be used for purchasing furniture items.
• Grant cannot be used for appointing a project assistant or research fellow.
• Award is liable to termination in case of misconduct, plagiarism, unethical or corrupt practices, false information, or violation of scheme conditions.

Documents required

• Scanned passport-size photograph and signature (up to 1MB, JPG format).
• Complete research proposal (up to 5MB) and an abstract (up to 1MB).
• Auto-generated application form printout signed by the Head of Department (HoD) or Registrar.
• Proof of being a single girl child on a ₹100 stamp paper affidavit attested by SDM/First Class Magistrate/Tahsildar (if applicable, less than 1MB).
• Post-graduate (PG) and Ph.D. educational qualification details and documents.
• Joining report (Annexure-I) and Utilization Certificates (Annexure-II) for grant release stages.

How to apply

1. 1Visit the official UGC research portal at frg.ugc.ac.in and review the scheme guidelines.
2. 2Click on 'New User' under the scheme to register with your email address and upload your photo and signature.
3. 3Log in using the credentials sent to your registered email address and update your password on first login.
4. 4Go to the Dashboard, review your profile, and click on the 'Eligibility Criteria' section.
5. 5Fill in all required eligibility details accurately and submit the eligibility form.
6. 6Click on 'Apply Now' to access the Data Capturing Format and enter your PG and Ph.D. educational details.
7. 7Upload your research proposal, abstract, and other required documents.
8. 8Generate and print the auto-generated application form, get it endorsed and signed by your HoD or Registrar, and upload the signed copy.
9. 9Accept the declaration by ticking 'I Agree with above' and click 'Submit' to complete your application.

Frequently asked questions