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Financial Support
Tenth Plan
Guidelines

 

Financial Support

Guidelines for Research Awards

Introduction | Objective | Target Group & Eligibility | Procedure for Applying for the Scheme | Procedure for Approval by the UGC | Pattern of Assistance Available under the Scheme | Procedure for Release of Grants by UGC | Procedure for Monitoring the Progress of the Scheme | Other Conditions | Cancellation of Award | Annexures |

1. Introduction

The Research Award Scheme came into existence during the Ninth Plan (1997-98) by merging two schemes, namely, the National Fellowship and the Career Award of the Eighth Plan. The Research Award scheme permits permanent teachers of universities and institutions full-time three-year research tenures in their respective field of specialisation.

Teachers who have a doctorate degree and have shown excellence in their fields are considered for the award. The Research Award is given to only those lecturers, senior lecturers, and selection-grade lecturers and readers who are in continuous regular service in a recognised institution on permanent posts and are under 45 years of age at the time of submission of their application. The awardee will be eligible to avail of the Research Award only once.

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2. Objectives

The objectives of the scheme are to provide opportunities to permanent teachers of universities/institutions to pursue research in their area(s) of specialisation for a non-extendable period of three years without undertaking any research guidance.

In order to remain in touch with the latest developments in their respective areas of teaching and research, the awardees may take classes/teach in their place of work/institution of implementation of the Award, without any additional remuneration. This period of teaching is inclusive of the full tenure of the award.

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3. Target Group/Eligibility

Teachers who have a doctorate degree and have shown an aptitude for research may apply for the Award. They must have been published in reputed/referred journals, and have made contributions to editorial boards, collaborative research nationally, internationally or with industries/national organisations and universities/institutions recognised under Sections 2(f) and 12(B) of the UGC Act. The applicant should possess a Ph.D degree.

Lecturers, senior lecturers, and selection-grade lecturers and readers who are finally selected for the Award are eligible for taking classes marginally as already prescribed above. However, they are restricted from taking any other assignment paid/unpaid during their tenure.

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4. Procedure for Applying for the Scheme

The Commission will invite applications for these awards through a notification in Employment News along with short notifications in leading national dailies and by circulation to universities. The application (in duplicate) in the prescribed pro forma Annexure I duly recommended and authenticated by the head of the department and the registrar/principal may be sent to:

Under Secretary Selection and Award Bureau
University Grants Commission South Campus,

Delhi University
Benito Juarez Marg
New Delhi 110 021

(Note: Incomplete applications (in any form), directly sent applications and applications received after the due date will not be considered.)

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5. Procedure for Approval By the UGC

The conferment of the Research Award will be based on the recommendations of an expert committee constituted by the UGC, which will also interview short listed candidates. The Commission reserves the right of cancelling or withdrawing the Award without assigning any reason.

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6. Pattern of Assistance Available Under the Scheme

The financial assistance available under the scheme is as follows:

  • Full salary of the awardee with admissible allowances will be reimbursed to the institution where the awardee is undertaking research except the CPF/GPF contribution, as the same is to be borne by the parent institution.

  • Research grant to meet expenditure on books and journals, chemicals and equipment for the entire period is as under: (i) Humanities and social sciences: Rs.2.50 lakh (ii) Sciences/natural sciences/engineering and technology: Rs.4.00 lakh

  • The awardee, being on duty leave, will continue to earn normal increment and maintain his/her seniority in the parent university/institution.

  • He/she will be entitled to holidays and all other privileges as per his/her entitlement in the university/institute, including facilities of staff quarters/medical assistance, etc. during the period of the award.

  • Expenditure towards travel within the country in connection with research work has to be met out of the research grant only. No additional funds will be provided for this purpose.

  • The expenditure towards engagement of any project assistant will have to be met out of research grant for a maximum amount of Rs.5000/- p.m. (consolidated) during the tenure of the award only. The tenure of the project assistant will be co-terminus with the Research Award.

  • The Commission will not provide any grant towards the salary of the substitute, if appointed, in place of the awardee.

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7. Procedure for Release of Grants by UGC

The Commission will release one-third of the total allocation of the research grant as the first instalment and one year's salary and allowances as per entitlement of the awardee on the receipt of the joining report Annexure II, through the concerned university/institute in favour of the scholar. The balance of the grant will be released equitably for the remaining period after receiving the statement of expenditure and utilisation certificate Annexure III.

Finally, an audited statement is to be obtained from the university/institute (temporarily that of a chartered accountant will be acceptable if it is a government college, and that of the statutory audit authority's should be made available later). Any claim submitted by the awardees should be forwarded by the concerned institution where the awardee is working.

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8. Procedure for Monitoring the Progress of the Scheme

The awardee shall submit a mid-term progress report Annexure IV of the research work through the head of department as well as the registrar of the university/principal of the college within 12 to 15 months from the commencement of the project. It will be considered by the expert committee of UGC for mid-term evaluation and correction required, if any. In case the research work is found unsatisfactory, the award will be discontinued. On completion of the award, one copy of the final report of the project should be submitted by the awardee through head of department to the UGC along with an abstract. In the consolidated report, the fellow must outline the objectives set forth and objectives achieved, along with possible application of the research output and names of user agency/organisation and industry that can take advantage of the research.

The fellow may also mention in the research publication that the research has been sponsored by the UGC under the Research Award scheme. Copies of the final report will be retained in the library of the university/institution where the awardee has worked. However, no extension is permissible beyond the total period of three years, and the awardee ceases to be UGC Research Awardee immediately after expiry of the date. Any claim /reference to this effect will be illegal and the individual may have to face disciplinary action.

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9. Other Conditions

Application The change of the proposed place of research chosen by the awardee and mentioned in his/her application will not be permitted at a later stage. The awardee may use the research grant for travel in India as per university/college rules.

The maximum period of leave entitlement during three years is six months, which may be utilised for research and other academic activities in India. The awardee shall be entitled to salary during the leave period. The period spent on leave will be counted towards the total tenure of the award.

The awardee will decide the manner of utilisation of the grant for the purchase of books, journals, stationery items and equipment as necessary. The expenditure on the above items will be accounted for and audited by the auditors of the university/college as any other departmental expenditure. The books, journals and equipment purchased out of this grant will become the property of the department of the university on completion/termination of the Award.

The amount for purchase of equipment will be sanctioned in one instalment. No import of any equipment is permissible out of the research grant. However, voluntary donation by any agency from abroad will be governed by Government of India rules with the prior permission of the UGC.

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10. Cancellation of Award

The fellowship is liable to be cancelled in case of:

  • Misconduct.

  • Unsatisfactory progress of research work.

  • Candidate found ineligible later.

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10. Annexures

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