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UGC Research Grant for In-Service Faculty Members 2026 – Eligibility, Benefits & Apply Online

UGC Research Grant for In-Service Faculty Members is a scheme by the University Grants Commission that provides up to ₹10 lakh to eligible university and college faculty members for research work, spread over a 2-year period.
Faculty / Teachers Research Grant ₹10 Lakh 2-Year Tenure 200 Slots All India
Apply on frg.ugc.ac.in Read Official UGC Guidelines
₹10 Lakh
Total Grant
2 Years
Tenure
200
Slots / Year
≤ 50 Yrs
Age Limit
Written by · Last Updated: 15 June 2026 · Source: UGC Official Guidelines

Overview

The UGC Research Grant for In-Service Faculty Members — also referred to as the UGC Faculty Research Grant Scheme — is a scheme by the University Grants Commission (UGC) under the Department of Higher Education. Its goal is to support regularly appointed faculty members of universities and colleges in carrying out research in their subject area.

This UGC Research Funding Scheme was launched on Teachers' Day, 5 September 2022, along with four other faculty fellowship schemes. Under the UGC Grant for College Teachers, applications are invited once every year through advertisements in newspapers, Employment News, and the official UGC website. The UGC Research Fellowship for Faculty is open to all eligible in-service teachers and is part of a broader push to strengthen academic research across India's higher education system.

Faculty searching for the UGC Research Grant 2026 Last Date should monitor the official portal at frg.ugc.ac.in, where UGC publishes annual notifications and deadline updates.

Benefits

Tenure: 2 years  |  Total Slots: 200 per year (or as decided by UGC)

Grant Amount

  • Total grant of ₹10,00,000 per selected faculty member.
  • Can be used for minor equipment, consumables, contingencies, fieldwork, and domestic travel.
  • The recipient decides how to split the amount across these heads based on research needs.
  • Cannot be used for international travel, furniture, or hiring a research assistant or project fellow.
  • Any equipment bought with the grant becomes the property of the university.

Grant Release Schedule

The grant is released in 3 installments directly to the university:

1
50% — ₹5,00,000
Released on receipt of the joining report (Annexure-I)
2
25% — ₹2,50,000
Released on submission of utilization certificate (Annexure-II) of the first installment
3
25% — ₹2,50,000
Released on a reimbursement basis after submitting claims and utilization certificate of the second installment
The entire ₹10 lakh must be utilized within 2 years from the date the first installment is released.

Eligibility

Faculty members who are regularly and permanently appointed in the following types of institutions can apply:

  • Universities (including affiliated and constituent colleges) 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 Central or State Governments and authorized to award degrees.
  • Institutions of National Importance.

In addition, the applicant must meet all of the following conditions:

Age Limit
50 years or below on the date of application
Service Remaining
Minimum 10 years of service left as of the application date
PhD Supervision
Must have guided 5 full-time PhD candidates to completion
Research Projects
Must have completed at least 2 sponsored research projects (national or international)
Ad-hoc, guest, visiting, and contractual faculty are not eligible to apply under this scheme.

How to Apply

Applications are accepted online only at frg.ugc.ac.in. No hard copies are accepted at any stage.

1

Read the Guidelines

Visit frg.ugc.ac.in. The homepage lists 5 UGC schemes. Click on the Research Grant for In-Service Faculty Members scheme and read the guidelines fully before proceeding.

2

Register as a New User

Click "New User" under the relevant scheme. Fill in your details for registration and provide an active email address — this will be used for all future communication. Keep a scanned passport-size photo and signature ready (JPG format, up to 1 MB each) before starting registration. Once submitted, registration details cannot be changed.

3

Login with Credentials

After registration, you will receive login credentials at your registered email from ugchelp@mail.inflibnet.ac.in. Log in and change your password on the first visit.

4

Fill the Application on Your Dashboard

Your dashboard shows all sections as red icons — they turn green once each section is submitted. Click "Eligibility Criteria," read and accept the conditions, then click "Apply Now" to open the Data Capturing Dashboard.

5

Enter PG and PhD Details

Fill in your postgraduate qualification details, then your PhD details. Upload the required documents for your PhD section and submit each part separately.

6

Sign and Upload the Auto-Generated Form

Once all sections are filled, an auto-generated application form appears on screen. Print it, get it signed by your Head of Department or Registrar, and upload the signed copy before final submission.

7

Submit the Declaration

Read the declaration carefully. Tick "I Agree" and click Submit. Save a copy of the completed application for your records.

Selection process: UGC sends each application to at least three subject-area referees who evaluate the research proposal, the applicant's professional standing, and the host institution. A merit list is prepared from referee scores, results are published on ugc.ac.in, and selected candidates download their award letter from the same portal.

Documents Required

  • 1Passport-size photograph and signature — JPG format, up to 1 MB each.
  • 2Research proposal — up to 5 MB. Abstract of the proposal — up to 1 MB.
  • 3Auto-generated application form, signed by the Head of Department or Registrar — upload before final submission.
  • 4PhD completion certificates and proof of supervised candidates.
  • 5Completion certificates of at least 2 sponsored research projects.
  • 6After the grant period, a feedback report on research work done must be submitted on the web portal. The institution must also submit a summary of research work and published papers on completion.

Termination Conditions

The grant can be cancelled if the recipient is found guilty of any of the following:

Misconduct
Found ineligible after selection
Submission of false or misleading information
Plagiarism or unethical research practices
Any corrupt practice
Violation of scheme terms and conditions
Before any cancellation, the faculty member will be given a fair chance to present their side.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the purpose of this scheme?
To support regularly appointed faculty members of universities and colleges in pursuing research in their subject area by providing dedicated funding.
What is the tenure of this grant?
2 years, counted from the date the first installment is released.
How many seats are available?
200 slots per year, or as decided by the Commission.
How much money is given under this scheme?
₹10,00,000 in total, released in 3 installments (50% + 25% + 25%) to the university over 2 years. It can be used for equipment, consumables, fieldwork, and domestic travel.
Who is eligible to apply?
Permanently and regularly appointed faculty of UGC-recognized universities, NAAC-accredited colleges, deemed universities, government-funded degree-awarding institutions, or Institutions of National Importance — who are 50 years or below, have 10+ years of service left, have guided 5 full-time PhD scholars, and have completed 2 sponsored research projects.
Who is not eligible?
Faculty above 50 years of age, those on ad-hoc, guest, visiting, or contractual appointments, those with less than 10 years of service remaining, and those who have not yet guided 5 PhD scholars or completed 2 funded projects.
Is there an age limit?
Yes. Maximum age is 50 years on the date of application. The applicant must also have at least 10 years of service remaining.
Can the grant be used for international travel?
No. International travel, furniture purchases, and hiring a research assistant or project fellow are not allowed under this grant.
Who owns the equipment purchased from grant money?
The university — not the individual faculty member — owns all equipment bought using this grant.
How does UGC select the candidates?
Each application is reviewed by at least 3 subject-area referees who evaluate the research proposal, the applicant's academic profile, and the host institution. A merit list is prepared from their scores. Results are published on ugc.ac.in and selected candidates download their award letter from the same portal — the entire process is paperless.
Is offline application accepted?
No. Applications must be submitted online at frg.ugc.ac.in. Hard copies are not accepted at any stage.
Is there any application fee?
No. The application is completely free of cost.
Do I need to fill the entire application in one sitting?
No. The application is divided into separate sections — eligibility, PG details, PhD details, and declaration — and progress is saved automatically. You can return and complete it before the deadline.
How do I identify mandatory fields in the form?
Mandatory fields are marked with a red asterisk (*) at the end of the field label.
What mistakes should applicants avoid?
Common mistakes include: not verifying PhD supervision and funded project criteria before applying, submitting a weak or vague research proposal, uploading photo or signature in wrong format or size, not getting the auto-generated form signed by the HoD or Registrar, and registering at the last minute — since registration details cannot be edited after submission.

Ready to apply for the ₹10 Lakh research grant?

Applications open once a year on UGC's official portal — read the guidelines before you start.

Apply on frg.ugc.ac.in View on myScheme.gov.in

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Information on this page is based on official guidelines published by the University Grants Commission (ugc.ac.in, frg.ugc.ac.in) and myscheme.gov.in. Scheme terms, deadlines and grant amounts can change — always confirm the latest details on the official UGC portal before applying. slategrey-okapi-151629.hostingersite.com is not affiliated with UGC or any government body.