UGC plans major boost to research funding, fellowships

The University Grants Commission (UGC) has taken an initiative to strengthen the country’s research landscape by boosting special funding at universities, increasing fellowships and developing a sustainable research ecosystem.

UGC Chairman Professor Mamun Ahmed made the remarks while addressing the commission’s 179th full commission meeting on Monday.

According to a UGC press release, the number of UGC’s own PhD scholarships has been increased from 75 to 100. From the next fiscal year, the commission plans to gradually raise the number to 500.

The number of opportunities for pursuing PhD degrees abroad has also been increased from 10 to 35. Initiatives have also been taken to increase the number of postdoctoral fellowships.

The UGC will propose special government allocations for PhD and postdoctoral research in the next fiscal year.

At the meeting, the UGC chairman said opportunities for pursuing PhDs at home and abroad need to be expanded further to address the shortage of qualified teachers at the country’s universities.

“The UGC has already taken various effective initiatives to ensure quality research. To this end, research-friendly and up-to-date policies have been formulated, while opportunities for pursuing PhDs at home and abroad are being increased,” he said.

He said the UGC aims to make research one of the core activities of universities to bring about qualitative changes in higher education.

“Alongside increasing the volume of research, ensuring its quality, impact and practical application is also one of the commission’s priorities,” he said.

The UGC chairman said the success of research should not be limited merely to publishing research papers.

“Research must be effectively linked to solving the country’s real-world problems and contributing to the development of industry and the economy,” he said.

The meeting also approved the “UGC Promotional and Academic Staff Development Research Project Policy, 2026.”