UGC-BSR Faculty Fellowship Scheme is running in 2026 for Science and Technology professors who are about to retire. University Grants Commission (UGC) gives selected senior teachers a monthly fellowship of ₹50,000 along with an annual research grant of ₹5,00,000 for three years so that they can keep doing research and guide Ph.D. scholars even after superannuation. The online application process stays open throughout the year.
This scheme is part of the Basic Scientific Research (BSR) programme of UGC under the Ministry of Education. Teachers who apply within one year of their superannuation date can continue their research work for three more years and help young researchers. The fellowship is paid on top of pension and other retirement benefits.
UGC-BSR Faculty Fellowship Scheme - Introduction
UGC started this scheme to make sure that the research experience of senior professors does not go waste after they retire. Many teachers in Science and Technology reach their superannuation age at a time when they are still doing good research work. Through this scheme, UGC uses the services of these experienced teachers for three more years so that Ph.D. students can learn from them.
The main aims of this scheme are:
- To help talented Science and Technology teachers continue their productive research for an extra period of three years after superannuation.
- To encourage research mentorship where experienced teachers guide young Ph.D. students.
Key Information
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Scheme Name | UGC-BSR Faculty Fellowship Scheme |
| Level | Central |
| Scheme For | Individual |
| Beneficiary States | All |
| Category | Education and Learning |
| Nodal Ministry | Ministry of Education |
| Implementing Agency | University Grants Commission (UGC) |
| Benefit Amount | ₹50,000 per month + ₹5,00,000 per year research grant |
| Application Mode | Online |
| Official Website | frg.ugc.ac.in |
Benefits
This scheme gives full financial support to continue research work. The benefits include:
| Benefit Type | Amount/Details |
|---|---|
| Monthly Fellowship | ₹50,000 |
| Annual Research Grant | ₹5,00,000 |
| Maximum Duration | 3 Years or until age 68 |
You can use the annual research grant for buying laboratory equipment, computers, laptops, printers, chemicals, glassware, and consumables. The money can also be used for hiring project or technical assistants, doing fieldwork, and covering travel expenses within India.
The grant cannot be used for international travel or buying furniture. You have to give an undertaking to UGC and your university that you will follow all the rules, including sending bi-annual progress reports and annual audited statements of accounts.
The fellowship money is sent directly to your bank account through the UGC designated bank in DBT mode. Aadhaar is required for the payment, as per the UGC rules.
Eligibility
To qualify for this fellowship, you need to meet these conditions:
- You should be a Reader, Associate Professor, or Professor working in the Science and Technology department of a university.
- You should have guided at least 15 Ph.D. dissertations in Basic Sciences or 10 Ph.D. dissertations in Engineering and Technology.
- Of the students guided by you, at least 5 should have received their degrees within the preceding 10 years.
- Your cumulative impact factor for published papers should be more than 50 as per the Journal Citation Reports of Thomson Reuters.
- You should have worked as the Principal Investigator for at least 3 sponsored research projects funded by national or international agencies within the last 10 years.
- You should apply within one year of your superannuation date.
- You should not hold any administrative responsibilities during the fellowship period.
Your parent university also has to give an undertaking that they will provide the required laboratory infrastructure, administrative support, and permission to guide at least two stipendiary Ph.D. candidates under you.
Exclusions
You cannot hold any administrative responsibility during the whole tenure of the fellowship. The fellowship is for three years or until you reach 68 years of age, whichever comes first.
Application Process
The scheme remains open throughout the year and there is no fixed last date. You just need to apply online within one year of your superannuation date. The process is given below.
STEP 1 - Prepare the required documents like your Aadhaar card, bank account details, and a certification from your university about the available facilities and your superannuation date.
STEP 2 - Get the University Undertaking Form signed by your university confirming that they will provide laboratory infrastructure and administrative support for your research work.
STEP 3 - Visit the official portal at frg.ugc.ac.in and submit your application online. Make sure you apply within one year from the date of superannuation.
STEP 4 - The National Coordinator of the scheme reviews your application and checks your research credentials.
STEP 5 - The Empowered Committee for Basic Scientific Research (BSR) looks at the recommendations of the National Coordinator and takes the final decision on selection.
STEP 6 - After selection, you get the official Award Letter from UGC. You have to submit a Joining Report with your bank details to the designated branch of the UGC bank so that the fellowship amount can be paid in DBT mode. You also have to send a Continuation Certificate every three months and an annual progress report.
Documents
Keep these documents ready for the application and joining process:
- Official Award Letter issued by UGC.
- A detailed Joining Report with your award letter number, current contact address, and photograph.
- Up-to-date bank account details including bank name, account number, IFSC, and MICR code.
- Your Aadhaar card for identification and DBT payment.
- A formal certification from your university or institute confirming the available facilities and your official date of superannuation.
- A signed University Undertaking Form for the support of your research work.
Scheme Status in 2026
UGC-BSR Faculty Fellowship Scheme is fully active in 2026. UGC keeps updating the Basic Scientific Research page on its official website, and the Empowered Committee continues to publish the recommended and not recommended lists of applicants. The fellowship amount and research grant have not changed this year.
UGC has also launched a new Fellowship for Superannuated Faculty Members in 2026. This separate scheme gives superannuated Professors and Associate Professors a monthly fellowship of ₹50,000 plus a yearly contingency of ₹50,000 for up to three years or until 70 years of age. Teachers who are going to superannuate within six months or have already superannuated can apply for it. For regular teachers still in service, UGC is also running the UGC Research Grant for In-Service Faculty Members scheme under which faculty can get ₹10 lakh support for two years of research work. Teachers who have recently joined can also check the Dr. D.S. Kothari Research Grant for Newly Recruited Faculty Members for similar support.
References
You can find more details through these official links:
- Official Revised Guidelines PDF
- UGC Basic Scientific Research Page
- Scheme Details on India Science and Technology Portal
- Fellowship for Superannuated Faculty Members - UGC
- UGC Contact Page
FAQ's
What is UGC-BSR Faculty Fellowship Scheme?
This scheme supports talented Science and Technology teachers who are near retirement by allowing them to continue their research and guide Ph.D. scholars for up to 3 years after superannuation.
Who is eligible to apply for this fellowship?
Professors, Associate Professors, and Readers in Science and Technology departments of universities who meet specific research output and supervision criteria are eligible.
What is the minimum requirement of Ph.D. supervision for eligibility?
You should have guided 15 Ph.D. students in Basic Sciences or 10 in Engineering and Technology, with at least 5 of these completions occurring in the last 10 years.
What financial support is provided?
The fellowship provides a monthly stipend of ₹50,000 and an annual research grant of ₹5,00,000 for your research activities.
For what purposes can the annual research grant be used?
You can use the funds to buy equipment, laptops, printers, chemicals, or glassware, and to hire assistants or cover travel expenses in India. Note that furniture and international travel are not permitted.
How long is the fellowship valid?
The fellowship is valid for 3 years, provided you do not exceed the age of 68 years.
Is the scheme still running in 2026?
Yes, the scheme is fully active in 2026. UGC still updates the official BSR page and publishes the selected candidate lists. Applications are accepted throughout the year.
What is the application process?
You may apply online through the official UGC portal at frg.ugc.ac.in, where your application will be reviewed by a National Coordinator and finalized by the Empowered Committee.