Dr. D.S. Kothari Research Grant for Newly Recruited Faculty Members

What is the Dr. D.S. Kothari Research Grant?

The Dr. D.S. Kothari Research Grant for Newly Recruited Faculty Members is a research grant of the University Grants Commission (UGC), Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Education. According to the UGC Fellowship and Research Grant portal, the scheme gives newly appointed permanent faculty the means to begin independent research early in their careers, before they build up institutional research funding of their own.

The grant provides up to Rs 10,00,000 over a two-year tenure. The UGC runs around 132 slots under the scheme. It is an institutional research grant disbursed through the faculty member's university or college: not a personal scholarship or salary top-up — and the funds must be spent on the approved research work.

Main features

• Up to Rs 10 lakh per grantee over two years.
• Targeted at newly recruited, permanent Assistant Professors with a Ph.D.
• Around 132 slots under the scheme.
• Grant covers research costs but not international travel.

Who is eligible for the Dr. D.S. Kothari Research Grant?

A faculty member can apply if:

• They are newly appointed as Assistant Professor against a permanent post in an eligible institution.
• They hold a Ph.D. degree.
• They have a minimum of five research papers published in journals of international repute.
• They apply within two years of the date of joining the post.

Eligible institutions are universities and their constituent/affiliated colleges under Section 2(f) of the UGC Act, 1956 with valid NAAC accreditation; deemed-to-be universities under Section 3 of the Act with NAAC accreditation; and institutions fully funded by central or state governments and supported to award degrees.

You cannot apply if:

• You are a student, research scholar, guest, contractual or ad-hoc teacher. The grant is only for regular, permanent Assistant Professors.
• You have completed more than two years in the post at the time of applying.
• Your institution does not meet the Section 2(f)/Section 3 and NAAC conditions.

This is an important point for readers: individuals cannot obtain a personal cash benefit here. The grant funds a specific research project and is administered through the institution.

What documents are required?

How to apply for the Dr. D.S. Kothari Research Grant

Applications are made online when the UGC opens the scheme window:

1. Visit the UGC Fellowship and Research Grant portal at frg.ugc.ac.in and read the current scheme guidelines and deadline.
2. Register/log in and select the Dr. D.S. Kothari Research Grant for Newly Recruited Faculty Members.
3. Fill the application with your Ph.D. details, list of at least five international publications and your research proposal.
4. Attach your appointment letter, institutional NAAC accreditation proof and the required supporting documents.
5. Forward the application through the head of your institution (registrar or principal) and submit within the deadline.

Selection is made by UGC expert committees against the available slots, so meeting the minimum criteria does not by itself guarantee a grant.

How the grant may be used

The Rs 10 lakh may be spent on minor equipment, consumables, contingencies, fieldwork and domestic travel connected to the approved research. The scheme does not fund international travel. Utilisation must follow UGC financial norms, and grantees are expected to account for the funds and report research outcomes over the two-year tenure.

Help and where to check status

The UGC does not publish a dedicated telephone helpline for this grant. Applicants should use the contact details and notices on the Fellowship and Research Grant portal (frg.ugc.ac.in) and route queries through their institution's UGC nodal or research cell. Because the grant is institutional, the university's finance and research office is the correct channel for disbursal and utilisation questions.