UGC Travel Grant Scheme 2026: Financial Aid for International Conferences, Eligibility & Application
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Quick answer
The UGC Travel Grant Scheme provides financial assistance to permanent college teachers, librarians, vice-chancellors, and UGC officers to present research papers at international conferences abroad. The grant covers admissible expenses including travel, registration fees, per diem allowances, and visa fees. Eligible candidates must apply offline at least two months prior to the conference.
At a glance
| Main benefit | Full financial grant for international conference travel |
| Ministry / department | Ministry of Education |
| Level | Central Government |
| Application mode | Offline |
About the scheme
Administered by the University Grants Commission under the Ministry of Education, the Travel Grant Scheme supports academic and research exchange by facilitating participation in international conferences abroad. Permanent teachers and librarians from recognised colleges, vice-chancellors of central, state, and deemed universities, teachers from Institutions of National Importance, and eligible UGC officers can receive financial aid to cover necessary travel and participation expenses, with final disbursements made in a single instalment after attending the event.
Benefits
- Financial assistance covering admissible travel costs, including lowest excursion airfare or up to AC II Class train fare to the nearest airport.
- Reimbursement of international conference registration fees and visa fees.
- Daily allowance (per diem) according to Government of India rates for the conference duration plus two days before and two days after for travel.
- Disbursement of the full eligible amount in a single instalment after the conference upon submission of claim documents.
Who can apply (eligibility)
- Permanent Teachers of Colleges and College Librarians enlisted under sections 2(f) and 12(B) of the UGC Act.
- Vice-Chancellors of State Universities, Deemed Universities, and Central Universities recognised under sections 2(f) and 12(B) of the UGC Act.
- Permanent Teachers of Institutions of National Importance (capped at 10% of total approved cases annually).
- Commission Members and UGC Officers at the level of Education Officer (EO) / Under Secretary (US) and above.
- UGC Members, UGC Officers, and SC/ST/OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) / Physically Handicapped Teachers.
Who cannot apply
- Incomplete applications will not be considered.
- In case of multiple applications for the same co-authored paper, only one application will be considered.
- Any additional expenses beyond the approved guidelines are not eligible for reimbursement.
Documents required
- Full text and copy of the research paper proposed to be presented at the conference.
- Acceptance letter from the conference organisers.
- No-objection certificate(s) from co-author(s) if the paper is co-authored.
- Statement of account detailing expenses incurred on travel, airport tax, registration fee, visa fee, and daily allowance (Appendix-II).
- Utilization certificate in the prescribed format (Appendix-III) from the college or university auditor / chartered accountant.
- Details of financial assistance received from conference organisers, college, university, state government, or other agencies.
- Brief note on participation and the official certificate of participation in the conference.
- Conversion rate certificate of US dollars into Indian currency issued by a bank or financial institution.
- Original cash memos/receipts or applicant-signed photocopies.
- Bank account details of the Principal, Dean, or Director submitted on the mandate form (Appendix-IV).
How to apply
- 1Complete the official prescribed application form for the UGC Travel Grant.
- 2Enclose the full text of the research paper, the formal acceptance letter, and co-author NOCs if applicable.
- 3Send the physical application to the Joint Secretary (Travel Grant), University Grants Commission, Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg, New Delhi - 110002 at least two months prior to the conference.
- 4Await evaluation by subject experts and receipt of the formal UGC approval letter.
- 5Attend the international conference following excursion airfare and applicable guidelines.
- 6Submit the claim form (Appendix-II), utilization certificate (Appendix-III), bank mandate form (Appendix-IV), and travel bills to UGC for one-time reimbursement.
Frequently asked questions
Who is eligible to apply under the UGC Travel Grant Scheme?+
Permanent teachers and librarians of colleges under sections 2(f) and 12(B) of the UGC Act, Vice-Chancellors of recognised universities, permanent teachers of Institutions of National Importance (up to 10% of cases), and UGC officers at the EO/US level and above are eligible.
How much time before the conference must the application be submitted?+
The application must be sent at least two months prior to the commencement of the conference.
What expenses are covered under the travel grant?+
The grant covers admissible expenses including travel fares, registration fees, visa fees, and daily per diem allowances as per Government of India rates.
When is the grant money disbursed to the applicant?+
The entire sanctioned amount is disbursed in a single instalment after the conference concludes and the applicant submits the required claim documents and receipts.
What class of travel is permitted for selected participants?+
Participants must travel by excursion category tickets on the cheapest airfare not exceeding Air India rates, or up to AC II Class train fare for transit between headquarters and the nearest airport.
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