The Travel Grant Scheme by the Ministry of Education aims to provide financial assistance to college teachers, librarians, vice-chancellors, commission members, and UGC officers for presenting research papers at international conferences abroad. This initiative encourages Indian educators and academicians to contribute to global academic discourse and enhance their research impact.
Benefits
The scheme provides financial assistance for the following expenses:
- Airfare (travel expenses)
- Registration fee for the conference
- Per diem allowance (daily allowance for accommodation & food expenses)
- Visa fee
Note: The entire grant amount is disbursed after the conference upon submission of relevant documents.
Eligibility Criteria
The applicant must be one of the following:
- Permanent Teacher of a College enlisted under Section 2(f) and 12(B) of the UGC Act.
- College Librarian enlisted under Section 2(f) and 12(B) of the UGC Act.
- Vice-Chancellor of a State University, Deemed-to-be-University, or Central University recognized under Sections 2(f) and 12(B) of the UGC Act.
- Permanent Teacher from an Institution of National Importance (subject to a cap of 10% of the total approved cases annually).
- Commission Member or UGC Officer (Executive Officer/Under Secretary or above).
- SC/ST/OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) or Physically Handicapped Teachers.
Application Process
Offline Application Submission
- Download and fill the prescribed application form.
- Attach necessary documents (listed below).
- Submit the application to:
Joint Secretary (Travel Grant), University Grants Commission, Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg, New Delhi – 110002.
Important Notes:
- The application must be submitted at least two months before the start of the conference.
- Incomplete applications will not be considered, and no further correspondence will be entertained.
- Submission of an application does not guarantee approval from UGC.
Documents Required
While Applying
- A copy of the research paper.
- Acceptance letter from the conference organizers.
- Full text of the paper proposed for presentation.
- No Objection Certificate (NOC) from co-authors (if applicable).
- In case of multiple applications for the same research paper, only one will be considered.
While Submitting the Claim After the Conference
- Statement of account detailing expenses (travel, airport tax, registration fee, visa fee, daily allowance). (Appendix II)
- Utilization Certificate in the prescribed format from the college/university auditor or chartered accountant. (Appendix III)
- Details of financial assistance received from other sources (if any).
- Certification from the College/University regarding additional funding from other sources.
- Certificate of participation in the conference.
- Brief report on participation in the conference.
- Bank conversion rate of the US dollar into INR (from a bank or financial institution).
- Original cash memos/receipts (photocopies must be attested by the applicant).
- Bank account details of the Principal/Dean/Director (Appendix IV).
Note:
- All pages must be numbered and no overwriting/corrections should be made on the claim bill or utilization certificate.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- Q: What is the mode of travel allowed for participants under this scheme?
Applicants can travel via economy class airfare only. - Q: Are there any limitations on travel expenses for Vice-Chancellors, Commission Members, and UGC Officers?
Yes, the maximum financial assistance is determined based on actual expenses incurred, and any excess cost must be covered by the applicant. - Q: How are the daily allowances (per diem payments) calculated?
Daily allowances are calculated based on international conference standards and government norms. - Q: Who evaluates the proposals received for the program?
A screening committee at UGC evaluates and approves the proposals. - Q: How will applicants know if their proposal has been approved?
Applicants will receive an official communication from UGC regarding the approval or rejection of their application. - Q: When will the grant amount be disbursed to the candidate?
The grant is disbursed in one installment after the conference upon submission of the required documents. - Q: What documents are necessary for the release of the grant?
Applicants must submit travel receipts, participation certificates, expenditure details, and a utilization certificate. - Q: Can participants claim reimbursement for additional expenses incurred during the conference?
No, only approved expenses (airfare, registration fee, visa fee, and daily allowance) will be reimbursed. - Q: Is there a time frame for submitting the relevant documents for grant disbursement?
Yes, all claim documents must be submitted within two months after attending the conference.