UGCBSRFFS
UGC-BSR Faculty Fellowship Scheme
6.8/10The scheme aims to strengthen basic science research by allowing talented professors nearing superannuation to continue research and mentor Ph.D. students. It provides a monthly fellowship and an annual research grant for 3 years.
States / UT: All India
Ministry / nodal: Ministry of Education
Nodal department: Department Of Higher Education
Scheme for: Individual
Scheme profile
DBT (direct benefit transfer): No
Categories: Education & Learning
Sub-categories: Education and training grants, fellowship, stipend, Universities and higher education
Target beneficiaries: Individual
Tags: Research, Fellowship, Science, PhD, UGC, BSR, Technology, Associate Professor, Professor
Details
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.
Benefits
- 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. 1. 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. 1. The grant cannot be utilized for International travel and purchase of furniture. 1. The recipient can decide the quantum of funds under these heads depending on his / her needs. 1. 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
- 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.
- 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.
- The grant cannot be utilized for International travel and purchase of furniture.
- The recipient can decide the quantum of funds under these heads depending on his / her needs.
- 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
Eligibility
The applicant should be a Reader/Associate Professor/Professor in the Science and Technology departments of a university.
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.
The cumulative impact factor of the published papers by the applicant should be > 50 (according to the Journal citation Reports of Thomson Reuters).
The applicant must have handled, as Principal Investigator, at least 3 sponsored research projects funded by national / international agencies, in the last 10 years.
The applicant must apply within one year of the date of superannuation in the University.
The applicant shall not hold any administrative responsibility during tenure of the fellowship which would be from the date of superannuation.
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.
Exclusions
- The applicant cannot hold administrative responsibilities during the fellowship period.
How useful is this scheme?
A practical look at this scheme for citizens
AI-generated insights showing how useful, accessible, and practical this scheme may be — combining deterministic scoring rules with a public-policy LLM analyst.
- Accessibility7.0
- Financial impact8.0
- Rural utility5.0
- Awareness7.5
- Simplicity5.0
- Inclusivity7.0
What problem does this scheme solve?
The UGC-BSR Faculty Fellowship Scheme provides significant support for senior faculty in science and technology, allowing them to continue research and mentorship post-retirement.
Key challenges addressed
- Retention of experienced faculty in research roles
- Support for Ph.D. students through mentorship
Most beneficial for
- Senior professors nearing retirement
- Ph.D. students in science and technology
Likely challenges
- Complex eligibility criteria
- Limited awareness among potential beneficiaries
Practical insights for citizens
The scheme is practical for eligible faculty but may not reach all potential beneficiaries due to awareness and digital access issues.
Rural challenges
- Limited access to online resources
- Potential lack of awareness in rural areas
Digital challenges
- High digital dependency may exclude non-tech-savvy applicants
Implementation bottlenecks
- Complex eligibility criteria may deter applicants
Awareness challenges
- Low awareness among eligible faculty about the scheme
Application analysis
- Application mode
- Online portal
- Documents burden
- Minimal, primarily online submission
- Verification complexity
- Moderate, requires evaluation by committees
- Office dependency
- Low, primarily online
- DBT dependency
- Yes, funds are disbursed directly to bank accounts
- CSC support
- Limited, primarily online application
- Estimated citizen effort
- Moderate, requires understanding of eligibility and application process
Estimated beneficiary reach
Benefit analysis
- Benefit type
- Composite
- Benefit frequency
- Monthly and annual disbursements
- Benefit practicality
- High, as it provides substantial financial support for research
- Financial meaningfulness
- High, with ₹50,000 per month and ₹5,00,000 per year for research
- Long-term impact
- Positive, as it encourages continued research and mentorship in academia
Plain-language guidance
The UGC-BSR Faculty Fellowship Scheme helps senior professors continue their research and mentor students after retirement. Eligible faculty can apply online for financial support.
- Who should apply
- Senior faculty in science and technology nearing retirement.
- Who may struggle
- Potential applicants unfamiliar with online processes or those lacking digital access.
- Best application route
- Apply directly through the UGC fellowship portal.
This intelligence section is generated by an AI policy analyst combined with rule-based scoring. Scores and narrative are estimates derived from the publicly available scheme information shown on this page; actual experience may vary by state, district, and department. Always confirm details on the official portal before you apply.
Application Process
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.
Clarifications
Additional points from the scheme information published on myScheme (not legal advice).
- What is the UGC-BSR Faculty Fellowship?
The UGC-BSR Faculty Fellowship Scheme was introduced to allow talented teachers in Science and Technology, who are about to retire, to continue research and guide Ph.D. students for up to 3 years after superannuation.
- Who is eligible to apply for this fellowship?
Teachers at the level of Reader, Associate Professor, or Professor in Science and Technology departments of universities can apply if they meet the required academic and research conditions.
- What is the minimum requirement of Ph.D. supervision for eligibility?
The applicant must have successfully guided 15 Ph.D. students in Basic Sciences or 10 in Engineering and Technology, with at least 5 students completing in the last 10 years.
- What financial support is given under this fellowship?
The fellowship provides ₹50,000/- per month along with a research grant of ₹5,00,000/- per year for research activities and related expenses.
- For what purposes can the annual research grant be used?
The grant can be used to purchase equipment, laptops, printers, chemicals, glassware, hire assistants, and cover travel within India, fieldwork, and contingencies, but not for international travel or furniture.
- How long does the fellowship remain valid after selection?
The fellowship is valid for 3 years or until the awardee reaches the age of 68 years, whichever comes earlier.
- What documents must be submitted after selection for the fellowship?
The awardee must submit a joining report, continuation certificates every 3 months, annual progress reports, audited statements of accounts, and utilisation certificates in prescribed formats.
- How is the fellowship amount disbursed to the beneficiary?
The fellowship amount is directly credited to the awardee’s bank account through UGC-designated banks upon submission of the required documents.
- Is there any restriction on holding administrative responsibilities during the fellowship?
Yes, the awardee cannot hold any administrative responsibility during the tenure of the fellowship.
- Where can I apply for the fellowship and how is the selection done?
Applications can be submitted online at the UGC fellowship portal, and the final decision is taken by the Empowered Committee for Basic Scientific Research after recommendations from the National Coordinator.
Official links
- https://www.myscheme.gov.in/schemes/bsrs
- https://www.ugc.gov.in/pdfnews/1621072_BSR-Faculty-Fellowship-new.pdf
- https://www.indiascienceandtechnology.gov.in/funding-opportunities/research-grants/individual/ugc-bsr-faculty-fellowship
- https://www.ugc.gov.in/Bureaus/bureaus_details?jL6AVwP8wnHhK1YwEAHZU81wvUmvfuszbDVoS8%2F64XIj4gvn%2Fn59wzVIUimbNGglFCh%2FQbpZ9vm94sN42G7pNg%3D%3D
References
- Guidelines
- https://www.ugc.gov.in/pdfnews/1621072_BSR-Faculty-Fellowship-new.pdf
- Scheme Details
- https://www.indiascienceandtechnology.gov.in/funding-opportunities/research-grants/individual/ugc-bsr-faculty-fellowship
- Official Website
- https://www.ugc.gov.in/Bureaus/bureaus_details?jL6AVwP8wnHhK1YwEAHZU81wvUmvfuszbDVoS8%2F64XIj4gvn%2Fn59wzVIUimbNGglFCh%2FQbpZ9vm94sN42G7pNg%3D%3D
Apply
Apply nowOpens the official application or programme portal in a new tab. If in doubt, confirm details on the ministry site.
Frequently asked questions
- What is the purpose of UGC-BSR Faculty Fellowship Scheme?
- UGC-BSR Faculty Fellowship Scheme is a government welfare initiative designed to support Individual, Individual through benefits related to Education & Learning, financial assistance, subsidies, social welfare, healthcare, education, or livelihood support.
- Who can apply for UGC-BSR Faculty Fellowship Scheme?
- Eligibility for UGC-BSR Faculty Fellowship Scheme may depend on factors such as income category, age, gender, occupation, state of residence, social category, and government-defined beneficiary criteria.
- What benefits are offered under UGC-BSR Faculty Fellowship Scheme?
- Benefits under UGC-BSR Faculty Fellowship Scheme may include financial assistance, subsidies, scholarships, insurance support, healthcare benefits, pension support, training assistance, or welfare services depending on the scheme guidelines.
- Which department manages UGC-BSR Faculty Fellowship Scheme?
- UGC-BSR Faculty Fellowship Scheme is managed by Department Of Higher Education and may be implemented through district offices, online portals, CSC centres, banks, or authorised government agencies.
- Can users apply online for UGC-BSR Faculty Fellowship Scheme?
- Yes, eligible applicants may be able to apply online for UGC-BSR Faculty Fellowship Scheme through official government portals, authorised service centres, or digital application systems depending on the implementation process.
- Is Aadhaar mandatory for UGC-BSR Faculty Fellowship Scheme?
- Many government schemes may require Aadhaar verification, identity proof, or linked bank account details for beneficiary validation and direct benefit transfer processing.
- Where can users apply for UGC-BSR Faculty Fellowship Scheme?
- Applications for UGC-BSR Faculty Fellowship Scheme may be submitted through government departments, official scheme portals, CSC centres, district offices, welfare departments, or authorised service centres.
- What documents may be required for UGC-BSR Faculty Fellowship Scheme?
- Applicants may need Aadhaar card, income certificate, residence proof, bank account details, caste certificate, photographs, educational records, or occupation-related documents depending on scheme eligibility requirements.
- Is income certificate required for UGC-BSR Faculty Fellowship Scheme?
- Income certificate requirements may vary depending on beneficiary category, subsidy eligibility, and financial assistance criteria defined under UGC-BSR Faculty Fellowship Scheme.
- Is UGC-BSR Faculty Fellowship Scheme a central government scheme?
- Yes, UGC-BSR Faculty Fellowship Scheme is a central government welfare initiative that may be implemented across multiple states through authorised departments and agencies.
- Can students apply for UGC-BSR Faculty Fellowship Scheme?
- Eligible students studying in recognised institutions may apply for UGC-BSR Faculty Fellowship Scheme depending on educational qualification, category, income limit, and academic eligibility.
- Is scholarship amount provided under UGC-BSR Faculty Fellowship Scheme?
- UGC-BSR Faculty Fellowship Scheme may provide scholarship assistance, tuition support, educational reimbursement, or financial aid for eligible students.
- Can CSC centres help users apply for UGC-BSR Faculty Fellowship Scheme?
- Many government schemes may be accessible through nearby CSC centres, authorised digital service centres, or welfare facilitation offices.
- How can users check the latest updates for UGC-BSR Faculty Fellowship Scheme?
- Users should verify official notifications, department announcements, application deadlines, and eligibility updates through authorised government portals or implementing agencies.
- Can beneficiaries track application status for UGC-BSR Faculty Fellowship Scheme?
- Certain schemes may provide online application tracking, beneficiary verification systems, or status-check facilities through official portals.
- Where can users get help for UGC-BSR Faculty Fellowship Scheme in All India?
- Users in All India may seek assistance through CSC centres, district welfare offices, government departments, agriculture offices, social welfare departments, or authorised facilitation centres.
- Which nearby public services may help with UGC-BSR Faculty Fellowship Scheme applications?
- Depending on the scheme, users may require support from Aadhaar centres, CSC centres, banks, hospitals, post offices, or government welfare offices for document verification and application assistance.