University Grants Commission is running Research Grant for In-Service Faculty Members scheme in 2026, giving regularly appointed teachers a support of ₹10 lakh over a two year period to carry out research work in their subject area. Applications go through the official portal at frg.ugc.ac.in and about 200 slots are approved per cycle by the Commission.
This scheme is meant for permanent faculty working in NAAC-accredited universities, colleges and central or state-funded institutions. Applicants should be up to 50 years old, must have at least 10 years of service left in their institution, and should have already supervised 5 PhD candidates and completed 2 sponsored research projects funded by national or international agencies.
How to Apply for UGC Research Grant for In-Service Faculty Members
Whole application process is online. UGC does not accept any paper-based applications for this scheme. Follow these steps carefully after keeping your documents and profile details ready. Also check the Prime Minister Research Fellowship Scheme if you are looking at another central research support option.
STEP 1 - Go to the official UGC Fellowship and Research Grant portal at frg.ugc.ac.in and click on the 'New User' link for the Research Grant for In-Service Faculty Members scheme. Fill in your basic details and create your profile.
STEP 2 - Upload your passport-size photograph and signature in JPG format. Each file size should be under 1 MB. Both files are required for profile completion.
STEP 3 - Check your registered email for login credentials which are sent from ugchelp@mail.inflibnet.ac.in. Note down your user ID and password for future logins.
STEP 4 - Log in to the portal and go to the 'Data Capturing' dashboard. Fill in your PG and PhD details along with your teaching experience. Complete every field marked with an asterisk.
STEP 5 - Read the scheme rules carefully and tick the affirmation boxes to confirm you meet all conditions. Only then the system will let you move to the next step.
STEP 6 - Upload the Research Proposal document (up to 5 MB) and the Abstract file (up to 1 MB). Both files should be in the format shown on the portal.
STEP 7 - System will now generate your auto-filled application form. Print it out, get it signed by your Head of Department or Registrar, and upload the scanned signed copy back on the portal.
STEP 8 - Submit the final application and save the acknowledgement page for your records. Save your progress from time to time during the process so that data is not lost.
Who Can Apply for UGC In-Service Faculty Research Grant
Eligibility is checked at two levels, the institution and the individual applicant. Both should meet the required conditions listed by UGC before you fill the online form.
- Applicant should be a regularly appointed faculty member at a NAAC-accredited university, deemed university under Section 3 of UGC Act 1956, central or state-funded institution that can award degrees, or an Institution of National Importance.
- Age of the applicant should be 50 years or less on the date of application. Faculty above 50 years cannot apply under this scheme.
- Applicant should have a minimum of 10 years of service left in the current institution from the date of submitting the application.
- Applicant must have successfully supervised 5 full-time PhD candidates as a guide.
- Applicant must have completed at least 2 sponsored research projects funded by national or international government or private agencies.
Grant Amount and Project Duration
Selected faculty members get a total support of ₹10 lakh, which is released over the full 2 year project period. UGC approves around 200 slots in each cycle, though the exact number can change based on Commission decisions in that year.
What the Grant Money Can Be Used For
Grant amount is meant only for research-related work. UGC has fixed clear rules on what heads are allowed and what are not, so that funds are used properly.
Money can be spent on minor lab equipment, consumables, contingencies, fieldwork inside India and domestic travel for research work. UGC does not allow spending on international travel, buying furniture for the institution or hiring project assistants under this grant.
How the ₹10 Lakh is Released
UGC releases the grant amount in three parts. Payment is directly credited to the applicant's aadhaar-linked bank account through DBT mode, so aadhaar seeding is required before the award letter is issued.
Initial Payment - 50% of the total grant is released once the faculty member submits the joining report on the portal after getting the award letter.
Second Payment - 25% is released after the utilization certificate for the first phase is uploaded, showing how the initial amount was used.
Final Payment - Remaining 25% is released on a reimbursement basis after final claims, the closing utilization certificate and the completion report are submitted.
Scheme Highlights
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Scheme Name | Research Grant for In-Service Faculty Members |
| Launched By | University Grants Commission (UGC), Ministry of Education |
| Eligible People | Regularly appointed faculty in NAAC-accredited universities and colleges |
| Grant Amount | ₹10 lakh over 2 years |
| Number of Slots | Around 200 per cycle |
| Age Limit | Up to 50 years |
| Service Left Required | Minimum 10 years |
| Application Mode | Online only |
| Official Website | frg.ugc.ac.in |
Documents Required for Online Application
Keep these documents scanned and ready in the correct format before you start the online form. Missing files can delay your submission on the portal.
- Passport-size photograph and signature in JPG format, each under 1 MB in size.
- Detailed Research Proposal document in PDF form, size up to 5 MB.
- Short Abstract of the research proposal, size up to 1 MB.
- Signed copy of the auto-generated application form, signed by your HoD or Registrar.
- For single girl child category applicants, a supporting affidavit on ₹100 stamp paper attested by a Magistrate or Tahsildar.
When the UGC Grant Can Be Cancelled
UGC has fixed strict conditions and can cancel the award if the faculty member is found doing any wrong practice. Before any final cancellation, the applicant gets a fair chance to explain the case.
- Misconduct, unethical practices or plagiarism found in the research work or related outputs.
- Giving false or misleading details during the application stage or during the project period.
- Breaking the official terms and conditions listed in the UGC grant rules.
Joining Time After Award Letter
Once the award letter is issued, the faculty member must join or activate the research grant within 3 months. If the joining is not done in this time, the grant is treated as cancelled. In special cases, with approval from the competent authority, the joining period can be extended up to a maximum of 6 months from the date of the award letter.
Official Portal, Helpdesk and Contact Details
Detailed rules, forms and the latest notification are put out on the UGC portal from time to time. For technical help during the online application, applicants can contact the UGC helpdesk on the numbers and emails given below.
Official portal: frg.ugc.ac.in
UGC main website: www.ugc.gov.in
Helpdesk phone: 011-23604446
Technical support email: webmaster.ugc.help@gmail.com
Application-related email: ugchelp@mail.inflibnet.ac.in
For more study-related schemes, applicants can also see the Central Government Schemes List for Students Education which covers many other fellowship and scholarship options.
FAQ's
Does submitting an application mean the grant is confirmed?
No. Submission is only the first step. UGC gets each application reviewed by at least three referees who check the research proposal, the professional profile of the applicant and the reputation of the institution. Final award is based on merit score and slots available in that cycle.
Is aadhaar linking of the bank account required?
Yes. Whole payment is done through DBT mode, so the applicant's bank account should be linked with aadhaar. Without aadhaar seeding, the grant amount cannot be credited even after selection.
Is there any application fee for this scheme?
No. Application on the UGC frg.ugc.ac.in portal is fully free. No processing or application fee is charged at any stage of the process.
Can the grant amount be used for foreign travel or buying office furniture?
No. UGC rules do not allow the grant to be used for international travel, buying furniture or hiring project assistants. Money should be used only for minor equipment, consumables, contingencies, domestic fieldwork and travel inside India.
Can faculty members above 50 years apply for this grant?
No. Faculty members above 50 years of age cannot apply for this particular scheme. UGC runs separate schemes for senior and superannuated faculty which can be checked on the same UGC portal.
What is the last date to apply for the 2026 cycle?
Application dates are announced by UGC on the frg.ugc.ac.in portal along with a fresh notification. Applicants should check the portal home page and the UGC notices section for the current window, last date and any updated rules.