UGC-BSR Faculty Fellowship Scheme

The “UGC-BSR Faculty Fellowship Scheme” has been implemented by the University Grants Commission (UGC), Ministry of Education, Government of India. The scheme aims to strengthen basic science research in universities by engaging talented faculty nearing superannuation. Through this scheme, financial assistance and research grants are provided to enable senior professors to continue their research and guide young Ph.D. scholars. The scheme is implemented by the UGC under its Basic Scientific Research (BSR) Programme. It helps retain experienced faculty in research and mentorship roles, ensuring continuity in high-quality research output and guidance for emerging scholars.

Objectives

• To facilitate talented teachers in Science and Technology at the verge of superannuation to continue their productive research for an additional period of THREE YEARS after superannuation.
• To play a research mentorship role for young researchers and Ph.D students.

1. Financial assistance under the scheme shall be: ₹50,000/- per month (exclusive of the pension and / or other retirement benefits), and a research grant of ₹5,00,000/- per annum.
2. The Research can be utilized for purchase equipment, computer / laptop, printer, chemicals glassware and consumables, contingency, hiring project/technical assistant, field work, travel (within India), etc.
3. The grant cannot be utilized for International travel and purchase of furniture.
4. The recipient can decide the quantum of funds under these heads depending on his / her needs.
5. Tenure of fellowship for Three years / 68 year whichever is earlier.

The awardee shall execute the undertaking to UGC along with the university for joining the fellowship and to abide by the norms and guidelines of UGC pertaining to this fellowship from time to time and to send the bi-annual progress report and UC/annual audited statement of accounts.

Mode of Disbursement:

• Fellowships and grants are disbursed directly to the awardee’s bank account through UGC-designated banks.

Frequency of Disbursement:

• A Continuation Certificate is required every 3 months for the release of the next instalment.

Validity:

• Valid for 3 years or until the awardee reaches 68 years, whichever is earlier

1. The applicant should be a Reader/Associate Professor/Professor in the Science and Technology departments of a university.
2. The applicant should have successfully supervised:

- 15 Ph.D. dissertations in Basic Sciences, or
- 10 Ph.D. dissertations in Engineering and Technology.
- At least 5 candidates must have received their degrees in the preceding 10 years.

1. The cumulative impact factor of the published papers by the applicant should be > 50 (according to the Journal citation Reports of Thomson Reuters).
2. The applicant must have handled, as Principal Investigator, at least 3 sponsored research projects funded by national / international agencies, in the last 10 years.
3. The applicant must apply within one year of the date of superannuation in the University.
4. The applicant shall not hold any administrative responsibility during tenure of the fellowship which would be from the date of superannuation.
5. The Department / School / University shall have to provide an undertaking in the application that the applicant would be provided:

• with the required laboratory infrastructure and administrative assistance for undertaking the fellowship work and
• with permission to take a minimum of Two stipendiary candidates for Ph.D. under the applicant, if selected for the UGC-BSR Faculty Fellowship Award.

1. The applicant cannot hold administrative responsibilities during the fellowship period.

Online

• The scheme is open throughout the year.
• There is a designated website: http://ugcfrps.ac.in/uohyd/the-ugc-bsr-faculty-fellowship/ to apply for the fellowship. The National Coordinator of this Programme goes through the applications, evaluates them and makes recommendations. - The Empowered Committee for Basic Scientific Research (BSR) in Indian Universities goes through the recommendations of the National Coordinator of the Programme and takes the final decision.