Scheme for Setting Up of Centre of Excellence

Scheme for Setting Up of Centre of Excellence is a central government scheme run by the Department of Chemicals and Petrochemicals under the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers. It gives financial support of up to ₹5,00,00,000 to Government universities and research organisations for joint research in the chemicals and petrochemicals sector. The scheme is a sub-scheme under the umbrella New Scheme of Petrochemicals (NSP), and the department has already approved 18 Centres of Excellence under it.

The centre aims to help build new products, newer applications and process innovations, along with environmentally sustainable technologies. It is open for applications through the official invitation, and the details are given below.

Scheme for Setting Up of Centre of Excellence

The Department of Chemicals and Petrochemicals runs this scheme to help existing educational and research institutions set up Centres of Excellence in the field of chemicals and petrochemicals. These centres work on updating products for new uses, improving production processes, recycling polymer technology, developing biopolymers and biodegradable polymers, and other emerging areas in the sector. The department, till date, has approved 18 Centres of Excellence at institutions such as IIT Delhi, IIT Guwahati, IIT Madras, IIT Kanpur, CIPET Chennai, CSIR-NCL Pune and others.

The scheme provides financial help of up to 50% of the total project cost, with an upper limit of ₹5,00,00,000, spread over a period of five years. The grant covers capital expenditure for laboratories, machinery and research staff. Applicants must be Government entities with a proven research record, and they need to submit a detailed project report for evaluation.

Benefits

The scheme offers both money help and working support to the selected centres. The main points are given below.

• Financial support up to 50% of the total project cost, with an upper limit of ₹5,00,00,000.
• Funds are available for laboratory equipment, plant and machinery, research literature and consumables.
• Budget is provided for research staff, including Junior Research Fellows, Senior Research Fellows and Research Associates.
• Grant covers the cost of organising seminars, workshops and filing patents.
• Financial support is given for a fixed period of 5 years.

There are a few rules for using the money. At least 50% of the grant must be spent on equipment, and not more than 10% of the total approved amount may be used for conferences and workshops. Grants are released in three instalments, subject to satisfactory progress reports and use certificates. Unspent balances and accrued interest have to be returned to the Government of India, and all acquired assets must be permanently installed within the Centre of Excellence.

Eligibility

Applications are accepted only from Government bodies, not from private players. The conditions are listed below.

• Must be an existing Central or State Government University or a Government research organisation.
• Must have a proven record of academic or research excellence.
• Must be actively doing R&D in the chemical or petrochemical sector.
• Must show evidence of publications, research projects, consultancy assignments and present PhD scholars.
• Must have existing infrastructure, including land and buildings, to host the centre.
• The Team Leader must be an established scientist with administrative experience and publications in peer-reviewed international journals over the last five years.
• Co-investigators and research staff must be on the permanent payroll of the applicant institution.
• The institution must have an industrial partner to support applied research and technology use.

Application Process

The application is submitted through email rather than an online form. The steps are simple and are given below.

STEP 1 - Prepare a detailed Project Report using the prescribed proforma, including sub-activities, outputs and timelines.

STEP 2 - Submit the report to the Head of the Institution for internal evaluation and quality checking.

STEP 3 - Obtain formal endorsement from the Head of the Institution, confirming the centre's performance and infrastructure availability.

STEP 4 - Email the final proposal to shalini.mahajan@nic.in before the annual deadline of 31st July.

Support - For queries, contact the Joint Director, Department of Chemicals and Petrochemicals at 011-23385263.

Documents

Keep the following papers ready while preparing the proposal.

• Project Report in the prescribed proforma.
• Proof of publications, ongoing research projects and consultancy assignments.
• Evidence of a doctoral program.
• Proof of permanent payroll for the research team.
• Bond on non-judicial stamp paper (post-selection).
• Audited statements of accounts and use certificates for renewals.

References

Below are the official pages and documents for reference.

• Centre of Excellence official page - Department of Chemicals and Petrochemicals
• Scheme Guidelines PDF
• Invitation for Applications PDF
• Invitation for Applications and Scheme for setting up of CoE (CIPET)

FAQ's

What is required to prove the research record of the Team Leader?

The Team Leader must show continued research through publications in peer-reviewed international journals over the last five years.

Are private institutions eligible for this scheme?

No, the scheme is only for Central or State Government Universities and Government research organisations.

Can visiting scholars serve as team members?

No, all co-investigators and research team members must be on the permanent payroll of the applicant institute.

What is the role of an industrial partner?

The industrial partner helps promote applied research, supports technology transfer and helps take research findings to the market.

How is the grant money paid?

The grant is paid in three instalments, subject to satisfactory progress reports and use certificates.

How many Centres of Excellence have been approved so far?

The department has approved 18 Centres of Excellence as per its official website, updated in 2026.