Research Grant for In-Service Faculty Members 2026: Get Up to ₹10 Lakh UGC Funding – Eligibility, Benefits & How to Apply Online
Research Grant for In-Service Faculty Members
The "Research Grant for In-Service Faculty Members" scheme, initiated by the University Grants Commission (UGC) under the Department of Higher Education (DoHE), aims to offer regular faculty members of universities, colleges, and institutes the chance to engage in research relevant to their fields. This initiative supports the academic community by providing financial assistance for research-related activities.
Research Grant for In-Service Faculty Members : Overview
The primary goal of the "Research Grant for In-Service Faculty Members" is to empower faculty members in their research endeavors. This scheme is specifically tailored for those who are regularly appointed at recognized institutions across India, fostering an environment conducive to academic research and innovation.
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Scheme Name | Research Grant for In-Service Faculty Members |
| Launched By | University Grants Commission (UGC) |
| Financial Assistance | Up to ₹10,00,000 |
| Tenure | 2 Years |
| Number of Grants | 200 Grants (as decided by UGC) |
| Application Mode | Online via UGC official portal |
Key Benefits of the Scheme
- Tenure: 2 years
- Number of Grants: 200 grants or as determined by the Commission
- Financial Support: Up to ₹10,00,000
- Utilization of Funds:
- Minor equipment purchases
- Consumables
- Contingencies
- Fieldwork
- Travel expenses (domestic only)
- Restrictions: Funds cannot be allocated for international travel, furniture purchases, or hiring project assistants or research fellows.
- Ownership: All items/equipment acquired through this grant will belong to the respective university.
Grant Disbursement Process
The grant will be distributed in three phases to the respective universities:
- Initial payment of 50% upon submission of the joining report (Annexure-I).
- A subsequent 25% will be released upon submission of the utilization certificate (Annexure-II) for the first installment.
- The final 25% will be reimbursed based on submitted claims and the utilization certificate for the second installment.
The total duration to utilize the grant is set at 2 years from the date of the first installment's release.
Eligibility Criteria
To apply for this grant, the following eligibility requirements must be met:
- The applicant must be a faculty member at one of the following institutions:
- Universities (including affiliated and constituent colleges) recognized under Section 2(f) of the UGC Act, 1956 with valid NAAC accreditation.
- Deemed Universities under Section 3 of the UGC Act, 1956 with valid NAAC accreditation.
- Institutions fully funded by the Central or State Governments with degree-awarding powers.
- Institutions designated as National Importance.
- The applicant must be 50 years of age or younger at the time of application.
- A minimum of 10 years of service in the university must remain from the application submission date.
- The applicant should have successfully supervised Ph.D. dissertations for at least 5 full-time candidates.
- The applicant must have completed at least 2 sponsored research projects funded by national or international agencies.
Application Procedure
Applications for the grant are accepted online once a year, with announcements made through major newspapers and employment news. Additionally, notifications are posted on the UGC website www.ugc.ac.in.
Step-by-Step Application Process:
- Read the Guidelines: Visit the UGC home page at https://frg.ugc.ac.in/ to review the guidelines for the scheme.
- Registration: Click on “New User” to register. Fill in the required details and provide a valid email address for all correspondence. Prepare a scanned copy of your passport-size photograph and signature (up to 1MB, jpg format) prior to registration.
- Login: After registration, you will receive an email with login credentials from ugchelp@mail.inflibnet.ac.in. Use these credentials to log in and change your password on first access.
- Dashboard: Your registration details will be displayed. Complete all sections to change the icons from red to green.
- Eligibility Check: Review and confirm the eligibility criteria by checking the box next to the UGC guidelines.
- Eligibility Submission: Complete the required information, including proof of being a single girl child if applicable, on a ₹100 stamp paper affidavit.
- Data Capturing Format: Click on the “Apply Now” button to access the data capturing dashboard. Begin filling in your PG and Ph.D. details.
- Submit PG Details: Provide details related to your postgraduate education and click ‘Submit’.
- Submit Ph.D. Details: Enter Ph.D. details and upload necessary documents, then click ‘Submit’.
- Declaration: Read the declaration and, if you agree, check the box next to “I Agree with above” and click ‘Submit’.
Conclusion
The "Research Grant for In-Service Faculty Members" is an essential initiative to bolster research activities among faculty members across Indian institutions. By providing substantial financial support and a structured application process, the UGC aims to enhance the academic landscape and encourage innovative research contributions.
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Benefits
Tenure: 2 years.
Slots: 200 or as may be decided by the Commission
Financial Assistance:
The quantum of support under the scheme is ₹ 10,00,000.
The grant can be utilized for purchasing items like minor equipment, consumables, contingencies, fieldwork, travel, etc.
The grant cannot be used for international travel, purchasing furniture items, or for appointing a project assistant or research fellow.
The quantum of funds under these heads can be decided by the recipient depending on his / her needs.
The items/equipment purchased from this grant shall be the property of the University.
Release of Grants:
The grant will be released in 3 installments to the university.
Initially, 50% of the grant will be released on receipt of the joining report (Annexure-I
).
The next installment of 25% of the research grant shall be paid on submission of the utilization certificate (Annexure-II
) of the first installment.
The final installment of 25% of the research grant shall be released on a reimbursement basis on submitting the claims and utilization certificate of the second installment.
However, the tenure to utilize the whole grant shall be 2 years from the release of the first installment of the research grant.
Application Process
Apply Online
Apply Now →
Applications are invited through online mode once a year through advertisements in leading newspapers & employment news. Short notification is also uploaded to the UGC website i.e. www.ugc.ac.in
Step 1: Read the Guidelines
This is the home page of the website: https://frg.ugc.ac.in/
5 schemes are displayed on the Homepage.
Under each scheme, UGC guidelines are available. Before applying, kindly read the guidelines carefully and ensure your eligibility.
Step 2: Registration
On the homepage, for registration, click on “New User” for the scheme you need to apply.
Here, you need to fill in all the details for registration and provide an email address that will be used for all future correspondence.
Please keep ready a scanned copy of your passport-size photograph and signature (size upto 1MB, format: jpg), before registration.
The details provided at the registration stage will not be modified, after submission. It will be reflected in the Profile.
Click on the ‘Submit’ button, after filling in all details.
Step 3: Login
After registration, you will receive an email from ugchelp@mail.inflibnet.ac.in with the Scheme Login Credentials to fill out the application form.
You need to fill in the received login credentials
Please change the password while logging in for the first time. Remember the new password, thereafter.
Step 4: Dashboard
The details provided by you during Registration are now available in Profile.
Various icons displayed here will be shown in red color before complete details are entered. Once all details are filled in and submitted, the color of the icons will change to green.
Here, you need to click on the “Eligibility Criteria” button.
Step 5: Eligibility alert
Read all the criteria and click on the check box next to UGC guidelines.
Step 6: Eligibility
Please provide all the required details here.
Proof of being a single girl child has to be submitted from the parents on an affidavit of ₹ 100/- stamp paper duly attested by SDM/First Class Magistrate/Tahsildar as per the prescribed proforma. In case, the parents are not alive, the affidavit can be submitted by the guardian of the Candidate. (Size: less than 1 MB)
Kindly note that, once submitted, the eligibility form will not be modified.
And Click on the ‘Submit’ button.
Step 7: Data Capturing Format
After that, you click on the “Apply Now” box (see on rectangle)
Here, Data Capturing Dashboard will display where you need to fill in PG and Ph.D. details
Click on the PG Educational Qualification box
Step 8: PG details
Provide PG details
And Click on the ‘Submit’ button
Step 9: Ph.D. Details
Provide Ph.D.-related details and upload the required documents
And Click on the ‘Submit’ button
Step 10: Declaration
Please read the declaration carefully.
If you agree with the declaration, click on the check box next to “I Agree with above”
And Click on the ‘Submit’ button.
Please save your application for future use.
Note: No hard copies of the application form will be accepted or entertained at any point of time
Frequently Asked Questions
References & Official Links
Scheme Details
| Full Name | Research Grant for In-Service Faculty Members 2026: Get Up to ₹10 Lakh UGC Funding – Eligibility, Benefits & How to Apply Online |
| Short Title | RGISFM |
| Level | Central |
| Scheme For | Individual |
| Ministry | Ministry of Education |
| Categories | Education & Learning |
| States | All India |
| Gender | All |
| Age Range | 50 — 1 years |
| Area | Both |
| Source | www.myscheme.gov.in ↗ |