Funding Agencies for Research

Proposal
Dr.S.Srinivasa Ragavan
Prof,& Head, Department of Library and
Information Science
Bharathidasan University
Preparation Stage
 Identify the agency and obtain guidelines and deadlines
 Define the project
 Conduct literature search
 Whether funding is available or not
 Basic requirements
 Application Procedures
 Download all the supporting documents from their web site
 Deadlines
 Process used by the grantor agency for accepting application
 Read the eligibility conditions before applying
 Contact person’s details
Draft Proposal
Introduction (Research History, Pilot Project, Literature
Review, The institution, Max: 10% of full proposal)
Problem Statement
Objectives (50% of full proposal)
Methodology
Budget
Possible Outcome of the results (10% of full proposal)
Appendices
Abstract or Project Summary
Resume
 Writing the Grant Proposal
1. The Proposal Summary – no longer than two paragraphs (prepared
finally to include all the key points) – cornerstone of the proposal –
highlight consequences if funded
2. Introduction of Organisation – gather data about organisation from all
available sources
3. The problem statement (or needs assessment) – Problem to be
addressed must be clear, concise and well supported and the
information provided in this area should be factual and directly
related to the problem. Areas to be documented are
(a) Purpose for developing the proposal
(b) Beneficiaries – who and how they will be benefitted
 Writing the Grant Proposal – cont...
(c) Social and Economic costs to be affected
(d) The nature of the problem (provide as much hard evidence as
possible)
(e) How the applicant organisation came to realise the problems exists,
and what is currently being done about the problem
(f) Remaining alternatives available when funding has been
exhausted. Explain what will happen to the project and the
impending implications
(g) the specific manner through which problems might be solved.
4. Project Objectives
5. Project Methods or Design
6. Project Evaluation
7. Future Funding
8. The Project Budget
Some guidelines for writing proposal
Become familiar with grant writing early on
Select a fundable project which can be supported in view of the
local need
Find your passion project, which will fetch you grant
Read the guidelines thoroughly
Talk to your colleagues who have applied and got fund
Talk over your interdisciplinary proposal with your patron
If you have still some confusion, visit the head office or regional
office to get more information
Seek neutral and constructive criticism from third party for
continuity, clarity and reasoning.
If not funded by one agency, alter the same according to the
tune of another agency.
Some useful tips for getting funded
Be
 specific with your research
Be strategic, small cost of projects have more chances to be funded

Carefully formulate and design your project

Proposals should be honest and your good ideas should be convinced

Ask people outside of academia to read your application

Involve the whole community – make the people to feel, it is their

project and they are going to benefit it
Ensure the project idea matches perfectly with to the open call

More Publications in international journals indexed by SCOPUS,

Web of Science and more citations will help the researchers or faculty
members to fetch the grand.
Always use your right of reply

Dont be afraid to ask questions

If you get rejected, try, try again

Some useful tips for getting funded
Understand your own goals before looking for grants
Set aside plenty of time
Assemble a team to help
Contact grant makers
Talk to those who got funded
Show that you have a significant need or problem in your proposal
Make the summary part more clear, concise and reasoning
Make it short and address the key points clearly
Stay focussed and avoid jargons
Have a reasonable and detailed budget
Be realistic – limit proposal fewer, more attainable goals
Objectives should be clear
Proof reading
Follow up with the grant maker
Cont..
How the applicant organisation came to realise the problems
exists, and what is currently being done about the problem
Remaining alternatives available when funding has been
exhausted. Explain what will happen to the project and the
impending implications
the specific manner through which problems might be
solved.
Project Objectives
Project Methods or Design
Project Evaluation
Future Funding
The Project Budget
 University Grants Commission (UGC),
New Delhi (http://www.ugc.ac.in)
UGC is funding for Humanities, Social Sciences, Languages,
Literature, Pure Sciences, Engineering, Technology, Pharmacy,
Medical, Agricultural Sciences.
(a) Faculty Development Programme
1. Award of Teacher Fellowship for doing M.Phil/Ph.D
2. Participation of Teachers in Academic Conferences in India (PTAC)
3. Short Term visit of young faculty members to reputed institute
(b) 100% Travel Grants once in three years for College
Teachers/College Librarians/Vice Chancellors/Commission
Members and UGC Officers to present research papers at
International Conferences abroad.
(c) Minor Research Projects – 5 lacs for Science and 3 lacs for Social
Sciences, Arts, Law, Literature, etc.
(d) Fund for Organising Conferences and Seminars – 1.50 Lac for
International conference and 1.00 lac for national conference
Indian Council of Social Sciences
Research, New Delhi
Major and Minor Projects
Fund for collaborative research with foreign countries
such as Thailand, Japan, China, European Union, UK,etc.
Collaborative research with ICMR
Research Programmes
Senior and Post Doctoral Fellowship, doctoral fellowship
Organising National and International Conferences,
seminars etc.
Grants for organising research methodology/SPSS for
Ph.D scholars
Capacity Building Programme
Department of Science and Technology (DST),
New Delhihttp://www.dst.gov.in

 Extra mural Research funding (individual centric)

 Scheme for funding high risk – high reward research
– supports proposals conceptually new and risky.
 Start-up research grant – grant for young scientists
into two new schemes – Early Career Research Award
(ECRA), National Post-Doctoral Fellowship (NDPF)
Indian Council of Historical Research (ICHR),
New Delhi (http://www.ichr.ac.in)
1. Junior Research Fellowship
2. General(Post-Doctoral) Fellowship
3. Gurukul Fellowship – Guru and Disciple
4. Senior Research Fellowship
5. Research Projects
6. Contingency (Study- cum-Travel) Grants
7. Foreign Travel Grant
8. Publication Subsidy
9. Seminar/Workshop/Conference Grant
 Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), New Delhi
(http://www.icmr.nic.in)

 Short term studentship (STS)

 Adhoc Research – to be applied online, and two stages
processing (first register online)
 Junior Research Fellowship
 ICMR – Visiting Fellow Scheme
 Post Doctoral Research
 Task Force Project
 Seminar/Symbosia/Workshop
 Emeritus Medical Scientists
 International Travel Fund for presenting paper international
scientific event
 Defence Research Development Organisation
(DRDO), New Delhi(http://www.drdo.gov.in)
 Research sponsored to academic institutions under the
extramural Project Proposal
 ER schemes also supports the instrumentality of Memoranda of
Collaboration (MoC) between DRDO laboratories &
establishments and academia.
 Aeronautics research and Development Board coordinates,
funds, and sensitise futuristic, scientific technological areas
having potential application for aeronautical systems. 5 crores
per year has
 Sanction of grants for conduct of National/International –
seminar/symposia/workshop, courses, etc.
 Council of Scientific and Industrial Research
(CSIR), New Delhi (http://www.icsr.res.in)
Provides fund for promoting research in the field of S & T
including agriculture, engineering and medicine and
multidisciplinary.
Interactive programme with university faculty
Emeritus Scientist Scheme
Research Fellowship/Associateship like Shyama Prasad
Mukherjee fellowship, Senior Research Associateship, Shanti
Swarup Bhatnagar Award, CSIR Young Scientist award.
Fund for organising national and international
seminars/conferences/workshop, symposia, etc.
Travel grant to research scholars
Faculty Training Programme and adoption of schools and
colleges by CSIR laboratories.
 Department of Atomic Energy (DAE),
Mumbai (http://www.dae.nic.in)
DOE supports research programmes in Nuclear Science and Technology
R & D Projects for fostering research capabilities and manpower
development in Universities and similar institutions.
Provides fund for Symposium/Conference/Workshop for various
disciplines of Science and Technology
DAE Young Scientists Research Award (below 35 years)
Dr. K.S. Krishnan Research Associateship to support talented Science and
Technology research scholars
Raja Ramanna Fellowship – utilise the service of active retired
scientists/engineers and technologists.
Visiting Scientists
Homi Bhaba Chair Professorship – for sustained record of excellence and
creative contribution to research
DAE Graduate fellowship for students joined M.Tech programme in IITSs
DAE Graduate Fellowship for Ph.D -
Department of Biotechnolgy (DBT), New
Delhi (http://www.dbtindia.nic.in)
Agriculture
Bioinformatices
Biotech Product and Process Development
International Cooperation
Medical Biotechnology
Bioresources
Basic Research
Human Resource Development
Infrastructure Facilities
Plant Biotechnology
Societal Developments
 Indian Council of Philosophical Research, New
Delhi (http://www.icpr.in)
 ICPR Fellowship scheme – promotes research in philosophy to scholars
especially young scholars in the following areas
 Provides grants to Philosophy departments of Indian universities and
research institutions to organise
seminars/symposia/workshops/dialogues, etc.
 ICPR organises periodical lectures every year by different colleges and
universities for the promotion of philosophy among the young students of
different cities of India
 National Lectures: the council invites Indian and foreign scholars in at least
three different universities in India by extending travel arrangements, local
hospitability with Rs. 20,000 honorarium and provides grant of Rs. 35,000/
to the universities to invite the interested scholars from their region to
attend the lecture and participate in discussions.
 Invites project proposal throughout the year and sometimes advertisement
through its web site or sending circular to the Philosophy Departments.
 Indo-French Cultural Exchange Programme: Under this programme, every
year one scholar is sent to Paris for a month to carry out some research
work there.
 All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE),
New Delhi (http://www.aicte-india.org)
Research and Institutional Development Scheme
a) Modernisation & Removal of Obsolescence Scheme
(MODROBS): 15 lacs with 2 years duration to equip
technical institutions with modern infrastructural facilities
in laboratory (s)/ workshop (s)/computing facilities for
teaching, training and research purpose
b) Research Promotion Scheme: 5-10 lacs for independent
research activity (Major Project),
c) Capacity Building for research to young faculty (30 years
limit) with a grant of 10-12 lakhs to carry out doctoral level
research in a reputed institution.
d) Twenty lakhs Grants for patentable technology development
by a group of faculty who aim at developing new research
facilities, at the parent institution.
Department of Ocean Development
(DOD)
Assistance for Research Projects (ARP) in Ocean
Sciences
 Manpower Training for Ocean Research &
Management (MMDP)
 Research support is extended to newly emerging and
front-line areas of Marine Geology and Geophysics,
Marine Coastal Ecology, Marine Biology, Marine
Microbiology, Coastal Marine Culture System, Marine
Benthos, Beach Placers, Ocean Engineering and
Under water robotics.
Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO),
Bangalore (http://www.isro.gov.in)

To conduct research and development activities in the

relevant areas of Space Science, Application and
Technology at the Universities and academic
institutions in the country, ISRO is funding for
1) ISRO Sponsored Research Programme (RESPOND)
2) Space Science Promotion (SSP)
Ministry of Communication and
Information Technology (MOCIT)
MOCIT supports funding for research in the
areas of
Information Technology (Hardware/Software)
Convergence, communication & broadband techniques
Micro-electronics and Photonics
Industrial Economics
E-Commerce and Information Security
Nanotechnology
Electronic Components and Materials
Strategic Electronics
Rural Application
Health and Biotechnology
Materials and components including Microwaves and Millimeter Waves
Emerging areas of Information Technology
Human Computer Interface/Language Technology
Ministry of Power, Central Power
Research Institute (CPRI)
 Research Scheme on Power (RSOP): Through this
scheme, fund is provided for carrying out research
projects in Power Sector including solving of power
system operational problems in the country
Areas of Research Support:
1) Power Supply System, improvement, studies,
2) Diagnostic and condition monitoring of power
system equipments
3) Reliability enhancements of power station
equipment, etc.
Other Indian Funding Agencies
Ministry of Environment and Forestry
Sarva Siksha Abhiyan
Tamil Nadu State Council for Science and Technology
National Council for Human Rights (NCHR)
Dr. Ambetkar Foundation
NABARD, Mumbai
ICRISAT, Hyderabad
Ministry of Agriculture, New Delhi
Planning Commission, New Delhi
Tamil Nadu Corporation for Women Development
TAHDCO
British Council Division
Other Indian Funding Agencies –
contin...
Indian Council for Child Welfare
National Council for Women
Rastriah Mahaila Kosh
Department of Police, Tamil Nadu
Ministry of Food Processing Industries, GOI
Legal Services Authority
District Rural Development
Enterpreneurship Development Institute, Chennai
Tamil Nadu Institute of Urban Studies, Coimbaore
NCERT, New Delhi
IGNOU
NBHM
Higher Education Department, Tamil Nadu
MHRD, New Delhi
Inter-University Accelerator Centre (IUAC), New Delhi
Forest Research Institute, Dehradun
Department of Education, New Delhi
Science and Engineering Research Council, New Delhi
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
Indian National Science Academy
National Council for Economic Research and Training
Funding Agencies – Foreign Countries
Universe Foundation, Japan
International Water Management Institute, Colombo
FORD Foundation
UNICEF
UNESCO
International foundation for Science, Sweden
The World Academy of Sciences (TWAS), Italy
The Third World Network of Scientific Organisations (TWNSO),
Italy
Animal Production & Health Division, Vienna, Austria
CIMMYT, New Delhi
British Council, New Delhi
International Federation for Women in Agriculture, New Delhi
Thank you