Research Grant For In-Service Faculty Members

What is the Research Grant for In-Service Faculty Members?

Research Grant for In-Service Faculty Members is a scheme of the University Grants Commission (UGC), which functions under the Ministry of Education. The UGC launched it, along with a set of allied fellowships, around Teachers' Day 2022 to give serving college and university teachers dedicated funding to run their own research projects instead of depending only on institutional budgets.

According to the University Grants Commission, the scheme provides financial assistance of up to Rs 10 lakh for a tenure of two years, with roughly 200 slots offered, or as many as the Commission decides for a given cycle. The grant is meant to let an established teacher pursue a focused research question in their own discipline.

The aim is straightforward: many capable mid-career faculty members have the qualifications and track record to lead research but lack a standing corpus to buy equipment, consumables or fund fieldwork. This grant fills that gap for a defined project and a defined period.

Who is eligible for the Research Grant for In-Service Faculty Members?

You can apply if:

• You are a regularly appointed, full-time faculty member in an eligible institution.
• You are below 50 years of age on the date of application.
• You have at least 10 years of service remaining before retirement.
• You have supervised at least 5 full-time Ph.D. candidates to completion.
• You have completed at least 2 sponsored research projects funded by a national or international, government or private agency.

Eligible institutions, per the UGC, include:

• Universities, institutions and colleges recognised under Sections 2(f) and 12(b) of the UGC Act, 1956, with valid NAAC accreditation.
• Deemed-to-be universities under Section 3 of the UGC Act with valid NAAC accreditation and eligibility for UGC grant-in-aid.
• Fully funded central or state government institutions supported to award degrees.
• Institutions of National Importance.

You cannot apply if:

• You are a guest, contractual, ad-hoc, temporary or part-time teacher.
• You are 50 years or older, or have less than 10 years of service left.
• You do not meet the Ph.D. supervision or completed-project thresholds.
• Your institution does not fall in the eligible categories above, for example, an unaided college without 12(b) status or valid NAAC accreditation.

This is a competitive research grant, not an entitlement. Meeting the minimum criteria makes an application admissible; awards are decided on the merit of the proposal and the applicant's record.

What documents are required?

How to apply for the Research Grant for In-Service Faculty Members

1. Wait for the UGC to open a call. Watch the UGC website (ugc.gov.in) and the Fellowship and Research Grant portal at frg.ugc.ac.in for the notification and the last date to apply.
2. Register or log in on the FRG portal and select the Research Grant for In-Service Faculty Members scheme.
3. Fill the online application with your personal, academic and service details, and confirm you meet the age, service, supervision and completed- project conditions.
4. Upload the research proposal and supporting documents — appointment proof, age proof, supervision and project records, and the budget.
5. Have the application forwarded by the head of your institution, then submit it before the deadline and save the acknowledgement.

After submission, the UGC assigns a minimum of three subject referees to evaluate each proposal in the applicant's area of research. Grants are released to the institution, which administers the funds for the project.

How much benefit does the scheme provide?

The scheme provides up to Rs 10 lakh over a two-year tenure. Per the UGC, the money can be used for minor equipment, consumables, contingencies, fieldwork and domestic travel linked to the sanctioned project. It cannot be used for international travel, furniture, or a research assistant or fellow. Utilisation is subject to the UGC's financial and reporting rules, and unspent balances must be accounted for at the end of the tenure.

Help and where to check details

Because the scheme runs in cycles, the single most reliable step is to read the current notification. The UGC scheme page (ugc.gov.in/ResearchAwards/Fac_ra2) sets out the eligibility and grant terms, and the Fellowship and Research Grant portal (frg.ugc.ac.in) is where the application is filed. The UGC has not published a dedicated public helpline number for this specific grant; queries are handled through the FRG portal and the applicant's institution. Applicants should always confirm the amount, slot count and deadline against the live UGC notification, as these can be revised from one cycle to the next.