National Education Policy 2020 recognises the importance of Research and knowledge creation in sustaining a vibrant economy. The significance of high-quality, interdisciplinary research across fields is felt much more than ever.

Hence, the “GSRF Major Research Grant Scheme” has been designed to provide financial assistance to the faculty members of Goa University and its affiliated/autonomous colleges and Goa Government-funded educational/research institutes/centres on a competitive basis to pursue research work along with their regular academic engagement. The scheme will promote research in all the basic, applied and interdisciplinary/multidisciplinary areas by providing financial assistance on a competitive basis.

This scheme aims to promote excellence in research and innovation in Higher Education Institutes by supporting researchers in various disciplines by providing funding. Research that considers local needs and works in collaboration with industries and Government Departments, whose benefits will ultimately reach society, will be promoted.

The key objective of the scheme is:

1. To create a research ambience in the State of Goa through Goa University and its affiliated/autonomous colleges and Goa Government-funded educational/research institutes/centres by promoting research in basic, applied, interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary areas.

Research and Development activities are considered essential components of the higher education system because they create new knowledge and insights and impart excitement and dynamism to the education process. The scope of the scheme includes creating and improving the general research capabilities of the faculty members of the various Higher Educational Institutes (Goa University and its affiliated/autonomous colleges and Goa Government-funded educational/research institutes/centres).

The Goa State Research Foundation (GSRF) shall implement and operate this scheme.

A. The quantum of assistance for a major research project under this scheme will be as under

1. The maximum permissible grant in the disciplines including those interdisciplinary in nature outside STEM areas (e.g. Humanities, Social Sciences, Arts, Languages, Commerce, Law, Management, etc.) will be Rs. 15.00 lakhs only, in which non-recurring, if any, shall not exceed Rs. 2.00 lakhs.
2. The maximum permissible grant in the disciplines including those interdisciplinary in nature in STEM areas (e.g. Sciences, Engineering, Technology) will be Rs. 25.00 lakhs only, in which non- recurring, if any, shall not exceed Rs. 5.00 lakhs.

B. The following are the Heads under which the budget will be recognised:

1. Non-Recurring Grants (Equipment)

   The equipment grants may be utilised to procure the essential equipment needed for the proposed research work. Purchase of equipment such as Computer, Laptop, Printer, etc. is NOT permitted. However, Computer/Workstation (not Laptop) as an equipment on which the whole or major part of the project work is based will be permitted based on proper justification. Works requiring High- End Computing facilities can project budget for computer time under the Head Recurring, Sub- head Hiring Services.

   The Equipment acquired by the P.I. under this scheme must be deposited at the institution after the completion of the project. These items will be institutional property.

2. Recurring Grants
   1. Project staff: This is basically for appointing temporary staff such as Project Assistants. The fellowship will be Rs. 20,000/- per month (rupees twenty thousand only) or as per the guidelines issued from time to time by the GSRF. The procedure for appointing the Project Assistant will be the same as per the guidelines of the institution of the PI.
   2. Hiring Services: This is meant for specialised technical services available on a payment basis, such as sample analysis, for which the University/College/institution has no infrastructure.
   3. Contingency: The admissible contingency grant may be utilised on spares for apparatus, photostat copies and microfilms, typing, stationery, postage, telephone calls, internet, fax, computation, printing and other project-related items. Expenditure towards the audit fee may also be claimed under the contingency head.
   4. Chemicals and Consumables: To meet expenditure on chemicals, glassware and other consumable items.
   5. Travel and/or Field Work: The amount allocated under the head travel/field work will be utilised for data collection and other information, including documents and visits to libraries within the general scope and sphere of the ongoing project. This can also be used for attending conferences, seminars, workshops, training courses, etc.; however, it should be directly related to the project work and, at most, one event in a year. No foreign travel will be allowed under this scheme. The mode of travel will be as per the eligibility and institutional norms, but not above norms fixed by the Government of Goa.
   6. Special Needs: Assistance may be provided for any other special requirement concerning the project which is not covered under any other ‘Head’ of assistance under the scheme.
   7. Overhead charges: Institutional overhead charges are NOT PERMITTED under this scheme.

   Grants will be released to the Head of Institution.

C. RE-APPROPRIATION: The Principal Investigator may re-appropriate a maximum of 20 per cent of the non-recurring grant to a recurring grant and vice-versa allocated with the permission of GSRF by providing proper justification.

The project's tenure sanctioned under GSRF Major Research Grant Scheme will be three years (3 years) from the project's sanction date.

1. Category certificate in applicable cases (in pdf format to upload)
2. PwD certificate in applicable cases (in pdf format to upload)
3. Certificate (Declaration) from PI (in pdf format to upload)
4. Endorsement from the Principal/HoI/Registrar (in pdf format to upload)
5. Curriculum Vitae (Biodata) (in pdf format to upload)
6. Aadhar card of the PI /Co-PI (self attested) (in pdf format to upload)
7. PhD Certificates(self attested) (in pdf format to upload)