UGC to set aside Rs6L for research by new professors

The University Grants Commission (UGC), with the ministry of human resource department, has decided to allot Rs6 lakh of initial funds to encourage research by freshly-inducted professors.

The UGC recently published the circular on its official website, naming the scheme research start-up grant for recently recruited faculty at the assistant professor level.

The UGC grant will be used to purchase required instruments, consumables, contingencies and field work for the researchers.
The UGC made this move after realising the need to strengthen basic scientific research in universities and colleges. Interested universities can send a proposal in the prescribed format.

The circular explaining the eligibility criteria stated, “All teachers who are newly-appointed at the level of assistant professor, against the permanent post in the faculties of basic science, engineering and technology, following the specified procedure of university will be eligible to receive financial support under the scheme.”

The assistant professor should have completed a PhD degree with a minimum of two research publications appearing in approved journals. Interested and eligible candidates should apply within a period of six months from the date of joining their post. Prescribed format for the application is available on the UGC’s website.