Eligibility:

• The applicant should be an Indian National.
• The applicant should be an active researcher belonging to the Scheduled Caste or Scheduled Tribe category working on a regular basis in an academic institution/national lab or any other recognized R&D institution in the field of Science and Engineering.
• The applicant should hold a PhD degree in Science or Engineering or MD/MS/MDS degree.
• The applicant should have at least four years of service remaining before superannuation as of the date of submission of the proposal.
• Researchers/scientists who have ongoing projects under the IRG / erstwhile EMEQ scheme as of the date of submission of the proposal are not eligible to apply.
• Co-investigators are not allowed in the scheme.
• An investigator will be allowed to avail IRG project for a maximum of three times in their career this includes EMEQ projects of erstwhile SERB.

Mode of Application and Selection:

• The call for applications will be made once a year and will be notified through the websites www.anrfonline.in and www.anrf.gov.in. The project proposal should be prepared according to the guidelines and submitted online through the website www.anrfonline.in
• The selection will be based on the recommendations of a Task Force Committee that will be constituted for the purpose. If desired by the Committee, the applicants may be called for personal discussion.

I. Operational Flexibility:

Operational flexibility under Recurring - I head (consumables, research personnel, travel, contingency, and other costs) is provided to the PI, subject to the following conditions.

• The expenditure under the travel head is limited to Rs. 3 Lakh for a three-year project, and proportionately lower for projects of shorter duration, except (where the project entails field work etc.) in cases where a higher amount for travel is explicitly sanctioned in the project.
• International travel for project-related work is permitted within the travel head. However, the expenditure is limited to Rs. 3 Lakh for a three-year project, and proportionately lower for projects of shorter duration.

• The expenditure under the contingency head is limited to Rs. 3 Lakh for a three-year project, and proportionately lower for projects of shorter duration.
• Contingency funds can be utilized for registration charges for international conferences.

• Operational flexibility is provided for engaging research personnel in the project subject to the following conditions:
  (a) The norms for emoluments, and general terms and conditions of research personnel engaged in the project will be as per ANRF norms, informed through Office Memoranda viz., ANRF/OM/N/01/2024 and SB/S9/Z-06/2019 and updated time to time.
  (b) The PI shall ensure that the total funds sanctioned under the recurring head is not exceeded in any case.
  
• All personnel, including Research personnel engaged under the project, for the full/part duration of the project, are to be treated as temporary employees and will be governed by the administrative rules/service conditions (for leave, TA/DA etc.) of the host institute. They are not to be treated as employees of the ANRF or Government of India nor permanent employees of the host institute and the ANRF will have no liability, whatsoever, for the personnel after completion of the project duration.

II. Transfer, Extension, and Termination of the Project:

• The project is individual-centric and cannot be transferred to any other person(s).
• Change of host institution can be undertaken only after obtaining due approval from ANRF.
• If PI wishes to terminate the project, they shall inform ANRF immediately with proper justification. The host institute should not incur any expenditure from the date of termination of the project or the date of resignation of the PI, whichever is earlier.
• The PI must seek the consent of ANRF if they intend to be away from the implementing institute (except for field work related to the project) continuously for a period of more than eight weeks.

III. Monitoring the Progress of the Project:

• PI should submit annual progress reports, in its specified format, through the ANRF online portal.
• The project will be periodically monitored by ANRF. The PI should attend the Monitoring Meetings/Workshops to present the progress/outcome of the research project, as and when organized.
• ANRF may designate a specialist or an Expert Panel to visit the host institute to review the progress of the work being carried out and to suggest suitable measures to ensure realization of the objectives of the project.

IV. Utilization of the Funds:

• The host institute and the Principal Investigator (PI) must ensure that the funds are used exclusively for the approved research project.
• The host institute must maintain separate audited accounts for the project. Funds should be kept in an interest-earning bank account, with any accrued interest reported to the ANRF in the Statement of Expenditure (SE) or Utilization Certificate (UC).
• The interest shall be returned to ANRF via a demand draft drawn in favor of "Science and Engineering Research Fund", payable at New Delhi.
• The fund shall not be utilized for construction of any building unless specific provision is made for that purpose by ANRF. The host institute is responsible for providing essential infrastructure (accommodation, space, water, electricity, communication, etc.) for the project.
• Any expenditure incurred prior to the issue of the financial sanction and after the expiry of the sanctioned duration of the project, will not be admissible.
• Any unspent balance must be returned to the ANRF via a demand draft drawn in favor of "Science and Engineering Research Fund", payable at New Delhi, upon project completion.
• The host institute/PI cannot transfer project implementation to another institution or redirect funds as assistance. If the project is not completed, the institute must refund the full amount or unspent balance, plus applicable interest.
• ANRF can terminate the project if it finds that progress is insufficient, funds are misused, or false or misleading information is provided by the PI/host institute.

V. Release of Next Instalment of Funds:

• At the end of each financial year (FY) and at the time of seeking further instalment of grant, the Institute/PI has to furnish the following documents strictly as per ANRF formats, and upload the same through the ANRF online portal:
  • Audited / interim Utilization Certificate (UC), and up to date Statement of Expenditure (SE) for the financial year in the correct format.
  • Annual / interim progress report, as per approved format.
  • List of publications / patents, if any, from the project.
  • List of Assets acquired till that Financial Year.
• The release of next instalment of grant will be contingent upon the submission of financial statements and its acceptance by ANRF.
• ANRF shall carry forward any unspent balance of funds from the previous financial year to the next financial year, during the tenure of the project.

VI. Settlement of Accounts of the Project:

• The following documents must be uploaded to the ANRF online portal within three months after the completion of the project duration:
  • Final Consolidated Statement of Expenditure (SE), giving expenditure financial year wise (FY) from date of start till date of completion.
  • Utilization Certificates (FY wise), matching with Statement of Expenditure figures.
  • Project Completion Report (PCR) with a list of publications, and patents filed/granted.
  • DD/ cheque for the unspent funds, drawn in favour of "Science and Engineering Research Fund", payable at New Delhi. The DD/Cheque must be posted to the Program Officer, ANRF.
• The Principal Investigator (PI) is primarily responsible for the timely submission of utilization certificates, statements of expenditure, progress/monitoring reports, the project closure report (PCR), and the refund of any unspent balance at the end or in the event of early closure of the project. If, due to unforeseen circumstances, the PI is unable to settle the project's accounts, the host institution must submit the above documents to ANRF for the proper closure and settlement of the project's accounts.

VII. Maintenance of Assets Procured Under the Project:

• The host institute must maintain an audited register of permanent or semi-permanent assets acquired primarily with capital funds, including immovable property and movable capital assets listed in the sanction order. The institute may be required to send a list of these assets to the ANRF.
• Assets acquired with project funds are considered part of the Institutional Inventory, gifted by the ANRF. They cannot be disposed of or encumbered without prior ANRF's approval. ANRF has the discretion to allow other investigators to utilize the assets for projects sanctioned by the ANRF or advice the host institute to transfer them to any other institute if it is considered appropriate.
• The Comptroller & Auditor General of India (CAG), at its discretion, shall have the right of access to the books and accounts of the Institute maintained in respect of the fund received from the ANRF.

Q1: Can I apply for project under IRGscheme after my superannuation in academic institutions/national labs or any other recognized R&D institutions in the field of Science and Engineering?

A1: No.The applicant should have at least four years of service remaining before superannuation as on the date of submission of the proposal.

 

Q2: I am working abroad as post-doc, and I want to return to India. I intend to apply for IRG. But I have not yet finalized my place of work. Am I eligible to apply under the scheme?

A2: No. The applicant should be an active researcher belonging to the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe category working on regular basis in academic institutions/national labs or any other recognized R&D institutions in the field of Science and Engineering.

 

Q3: Can I apply for a project under IRG scheme when I am already implementing another project such as ARG of ANRF?

A3: Yes

 

Q4: Can I apply for a project under IRG scheme when I am already implementing another project in IRG scheme or the erstwhile SERB EMEQ scheme?

A4: No. Researchers/Scientists who are running an ongoing project under this scheme or erstwhile SERB EMEQ scheme as on the date of submission of the proposal, are not eligible to apply.

 

Q5: Is there any specific time-line for applying proposals under this scheme?

A5: The project proposals for consideration under IRG scheme can be submitted only when the call for proposal is made. The call will be made in the website www.anrfonline.in and www.anrf.gov.in

 

Q6: What is the maximum amount of the grant under the IRG?

A6: The funding is provided up to a maximum of Rs. 60.0 lakh (excluding overhead charges) for a period not exceeding three years. The budget should be proposed based on the requirement for the successful implementation of the project.

 

Q7: Can I have a Co-PI in IRG project?

A7: No

 

Q8: I belong to OBC category. Can I apply under IRG Scheme?

A8: No. This scheme is specially meant to support scientists belonging to the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe only.

 

Q9: If I am from the SC/ST category, am I eligible to apply only to IRG and any other ANRF scheme/program?

A9: You are eligible to apply to any scheme/program provided the proposals are distinctly different.

 

Q10: Does the ANRF have any priority areas for funding under IRG scheme?

A10: No. ANRF funds all the areas of Science and Engineering without discriminating any discipline. Proposals involving purely survey-oriented work and routine studies will not be normally considered.The proposal will be funded if it has novelty and the investigator has the competence to execute the project.

 

Q11: Does ANRF allow to travel abroad under IRG scheme?

A11: International travel is allowed under IRG scheme.

 

Q12: Does ANRF discriminate against Project Investigators working in Private Universities/Institutions in funding?

A12: No. ANRF does not discriminate against Project Investigators working in PrivateUniversities/Institutions. Funding decisions are made based on the merit of the proposal, the competence of the Investigator(s), and the infrastructure available in the implementing institution, and not on the category of institutions the Investigator is working.

 

Q13: Are the funds sanctioned under recurring head flexible?

A13: The funds sanctioned under the Recurring-I head are flexible, meaning the PI can use money allocated for consumables, manpower, travel, contingency and other cost.However,there are some conditions to follow (See terms and conditions of the scheme, under travel and contingency).

 

Q14: Are there any upper limit on travel expenditure for the project?

A14: Yes.The expenditure under the travel head is limited to Rs.3 Lakh for a three- year project, and proportionately lower for projects of shorter duration, except (where the project entails field work etc.) in cases where a higher amount for travel is explicitly sanctioned in the project. International travel is permitted within this limit.

 

Q15: Are there any limits on contingency expenditure for the project?

A15: Yes, the expenditure under the contingency head is also limited to Rs. 3 Lakh for a three-year project, or proportionately lower for shorter projects.

 

Q16: Can I use the contingency funds for paying registration fees for international conferences?

A16: Yes. Contingency funds can be used for registration charges for international conferences.

 

Q17: Are there specific guidelines for engaging research personnel in the project?

A17: Yes, the PI can engage research personnel as per ANRF norms, as informed through OMs - ANRF/OM/N/01/2024 and SB/S9/Z-06/2019. Additionally, the total funds under the recurring budget should not be exceeded in any case.

 

Q18: One JRF is approved in my project.Can I engage a SRF or an R.A or multiple research personnel in the project?

A18: Yes, the Principal Investigator (PI) has the flexibility to recruit research personnel of any designation, or multiple personnel, as needed during the course of the project. However, the PI / host institution must ensure that (a) guidelines as per ANRF's OMs viz., ANRF/OM/N/01/2024 and SB/S9/Z- 06/2019 are followed, (b) total funds sanctioned under the recurring head are not exceeded in any case and (c) Any future revision of emoluments by the ANRF will apply only to the originally approved or sanctioned research personnel for the revised fellowships.

 

Q19: Can I delay the acceptance of the project implementation?

A19: No.The Principal Investigator(PI)must generally complete the documentation process within one month from the date the approval letter is issued. Any delay or lack of correspondence beyond one month from the PI, shall result in the withdrawal of the proposal approval.

 

Q20: Can I reallocate or reappropriate funds between recurring and non- recurring budgets?

A20: No, interoperability or reappropriation between the non-recurring and recurring budgets is not permitted under any circumstances.

 

Q21: Can the approved equipment list be changed during the project?

A21: The change of approved or sanctioned equipment is generally not permitted and may only be considered on a case-by-case basis. The PI must obtain prior approval from ANRF to change the approved or sanctioned equipment.

 

Q22: How can I seek approval for publication-related expenditures?

A22: The PI must submit a request through the ANRF online portal to obtain prior approval for publication-related expenditure.