START-UP RESEARCH GRANT PROGRAM (SRGP)
Introduction
Start-Up Research Grant Program (SRGP) is designed to assist the fresh Ph.D. holders to
establish research facilities upon joining of higher education institutions as faculty
members. The program enables the newly appointed Ph.D. faculty to setup basic research
infrastructure to start research activities without any delay. The program helps to engage
both the faculty and students in research through provision of financial assistance and
basic lab/experimental facilities.
Eligibility Criteria
1. Fresh Ph.D. degree holder who has recently joined a public sector or private sector
university eligible for public funding (first time after Ph.D.) as Assistant Professor
on Tenure Track System (TTS), Interim Placement of Fresh Ph.D. (IPFP), Basic Pay
Scale (BPS) or long term regular contract (min. one year) but not visiting is eligible
to apply.
2. A fresh Ph.D. degree holder means a scholar having Ph.D. degree completed within
two years from the date of application for SRGP.
3. A faculty member on IPFP or contract needs to apply for Start-up Research Grant
within 3 months of his/her joining as while the faculty member joining on TTS or
BPS may submit his/her application within 6 months.
4. A faculty member on IPFP who could not submit application for Start-up Research
Grant may apply for this upon joining as Assistant Professor on TTS, BPS or regular
contract.
5. Start-up Research Grant will only be provided to a fresh Ph.D. faculty member only
once.
6. A faculty member whose application for SRGP has been rejected due to any reason
is not eligible to submit application again.
7. HEC scholarship defaulters (foreign and indigenous) are not eligible for this grant.
Application Procedure
1. The applicant will have to submit the application on prescribed form (available on
HEC web site) through Office of Research Innovation and Commercialization
(ORIC) of the university (where these exists) or Director (Research).
2. The research proposal must have clearly defined objectives and methodology. The
time frame of the research activity must not be more than one year.
3. The applicant must note that he/she has only one chance to submit the Start-up
Research Grant. The application form must be filled in very carefully and complete
in all respects.
4. The applicant must attach the following documents with the application.
i) CV's of Principal Investigator (P.I.) and Co- Principal Investigator (Co P.I.)
ii) A copy of Ph.D. degree of P.I. (English translation if original is in other
language)
iii) A copy of appointment letter of P.I.
iv) A copy of CNIC of the P.I.
v) Three (03) Quotations from Registered vendors for permanent Lab
equipment if the total worth is exceeds Rs. 100,000.
vi) List of expandable supplies (Lab Chemicals/Glassware/Consumables/
Accessories) with complete detail (Quantity and Cost of each item).
8. Incomplete application will be rejected and applicant may not submit this again.
9. Upon submission of the application, HEC will communicate the decision on the
application.
10. Successful applicants will have to submit a Deed Agreement on Non Judicial Stamp
Paper (specimen is available on HEC website).
11. Funds will be released upon submission of Deed Agreement.
Terms & Conditions
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Start-up Research Grant is available only once to the fresh Ph.D. degree holder
upon joining as faculty member in public sector and private sector university
eligible for public funding.
The maximum duration of the project must be one year. This may be 06 to 09
months for faculty on IPFP or contract while 09 to 12 months for faculty on TTS
or BPS.
The applicant will serve as Principal Investigator (P.I.) while a regular faculty on
TTS and BPS in the host university/institute may serve as the Co. P.I.
A Co-PI can assist simultaneously maximum two projects under SRGP.
The major cost of the project will be paid in first installment. While the
honorarium to P.I. and Co. P.I. and university overhead charges will be paid upon
submission of the project completion report.
Release of the first installment would be subject to provision of deed of agreement
between HEC and Principal Investigator through Vice Chancellor/Rector of the
DAI/University.
Principal Investigator will have to submit Deed Agreement duly signed by the Vice
Chancellor/Rector to HEC within a period of one month after receipt of award
letter. Failure to submit this within stipulated period may withdraw the offer
automatically without further notice to P.I.
The project funds shall be maintained in a separate bank account to be operated
jointly by the P.I. and Vice Chancellor or on the behalf of Vice Chancellor by the
Treasurer/Accounts Officer (in case of Centers) and all payments will be made by
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observing all codal formalities/ rules & regulations of the university &
Government.
The grant received by the P.I. from HEC will be exclusively utilized for the project
as per approved budget.
All purchases will be made as per prescribed rules of the Government/University
where the project is located.
The expenditure incurred from the grant may also be subject to audit by the HEC
and the P.I. shall produce the books of accounts to the persons(s) appointed for
this purpose by the HEC.
Equipment, apparatus, computers and furniture & fixture or any other items
purchased under SRGP out of the grant given by the HEC will remain the property
of the HEC, or with the permission of the HEC, to the University where the project
is located.
Proper stock entries will be made in the stock register of the institution for all
items procured under the project.
In case the P.I. complete his/her tenure under IPFP, and he/she could not succeed
to secure a permanent position at host institution, equipment purchased will be
retained in the host institution and the Co-P.I. will be responsible to complete the
research project.
Any discovery made, patent and/or license obtained based on the research carried
out with this grant will be in the name of the HEC and any income accruing there
from, will be shared by the HEC and the P.I. according to a formula to be
established by the HEC.
No change in the arrangement for supervision/ execution of the project or in the
approved technical program will be made without the written consent of the
Commission.
In all publications and reports generated out of the project, the support provided
by the HEC will be duly acknowledged.
P.I. will be responsible to submit the project completion report of his/her research
project along with expenditure statement duly audited & verified by respective
audit/finance division of the host institution and a project completion performa
duly singed by HOD/Dean of respective department/faculty with satisfactory
comments that would be mandatory for final payments as 2nd installment &
closure of the project.
The HEC may have the right to get project completion reports (progress of
research/ investigation/work done by the P.I.) evaluated through an independent
reviewer. This evaluation may include on-site inspections as well.
Host institution may be asked to submit the expense reports on demand only for
cross verifications.
In case a P.I. is transferred/appointed in any another institution, the research
funds of SRGP including the movable equipment (laptop, computer, equipment,
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furniture and fixture etc.) will not be shifted in any case along with the P.I. and CoPI will automatically take over the project as P.I. and would be responsible for
remaining project activity till its completion.
Under such circumstances, Co-P.I. will not only be responsible for completion of
the Research Project at the host institution but he will have to submit project
completion report.
In case the P.I. intends to go abroad, he/she should have to inform HEC prior to
departure, and Co-P.I. would automatically become P.I. and will be responsible for
remaining project activity till its completion.
In such circumstances, the payment of honorarium will be made to recent P.I.
In case of non-completion of the project within stipulated period, the P.I. and Co
P.I. will have to reimburse all the funds released under SRGP to HEC.
In case of unsatisfactory project completion report, the P.I. and Co P.I. will be
responsible to incorporate the comments and if necessary shall carry out
necessary revisions/amendments as suggested by the evaluator at their own
expense.
Financial Layout
The maximum limit of Start-up Research Grant is Rs. 500,000. The research may add the
following in the proposal as per the need of the project:
Lab Equipment/Machines/Apparatus: This may include necessary lab equipment,
machines and apparatus to carry out the research. The applicant will have to justify the
procurement of equipment and apparatus in the context of his/her research proposal.
Applicant will have to submit the quotation from a vendor to justify the cost of the
equipment and apparatus. An applicant may demand lab equipment within Start-up
Research Grant maximum permissible limit of Rs. 500,000. Please note that Chillers,
Refrigerators, UPS are not allowed under SRGP.
Chemicals/Glassware/Lab Consumables/Accessories: The applicant may propose
the chemicals, glassware, lab consumable and allied accessories for lab use keeping in
view the nature of the research project. The applicant will have to attach a list of the items
(along with quantity and cost) with the proposal. There is no limit within Rs. 500,000.
Field Visits: The applicant may include the cost of field visits in the proposal. This may
include travel cost by air or by road, POL to official vehicle, rent a car service etc. The
maximum limit under this head is Rs. 10,000 depending upon the nature of the project.
Field Survey: For specific projects, involving field survey maximum 50,000 may be
permissible on special approval by competent authority.
Sample Analysis: The applicant may include cost of sample analysis if the analytical
facilities are not available within the host university. The applicant need to mention the
number of samples to be analyzed and the name of service provider institution. For
guidance please review HEC Access to Scientific Instrument Policy at HEC website. The
maximum limit under this head is Rs. 75,000.
Computer, Printer etc.: The applicant may include Laptop, Computer, and Printer for
lab and personal use. This facility may not be available to those scholars/faculty who have
got laptop under any of government or university schemes (PM Laptop Scheme, CM
Laptop Scheme or any other) within last two years. Anyhow, they may procure printer
and scanner if required. The maximum limit for laptop/computer is Rs. 60,000 -75,000,
and Printer 20,000 – 35,000. The total limit under this head is Rs. 100,000.
Studentship: The applicant may propose to hire the services of one final year
undergraduate student or master student for a maximum period of 6 months to work in
the research project. The students will be paid Rs. 10,000 per month in case of final year
undergraduate and Rs. 15,000 per month in case of master student.
Office/Lab Furniture: The applicant may propose lab and/or office furniture up to
maximum limit of Rs. 25,000.
Stationery: The applicant may propose stationery for office use up to maximum limit of
Rs. 20,000.
Honorarium: The P.I. and Co P.I. will be entitled to honorarium at a rate of Rs. 30,000
and Rs. 20,000 once during the project life.
University Overhead Charges (audit, accounts, utilities etc.): Maximum Rs. 10,000
Contingencies: The applicant may propose contingencies/unforeseen expenditure up to
Rs. 10,000.
Refrigerator, chiller, UPS, digital camera, multimedia and air-conditioner is not
allowed in SRGP. Similarly, the publication charges, travel to present paper in
national/international conference/seminar and organizing national/international
seminar/conference are not allowed in SRGP. HEC has separate programs to support
travel for presenting papers in national/international conference/seminar and
grant for organizing seminar/conference.
Application will be submitted to:
Ms Uzma Naz
Assistant Director (R&D)
Research & Development Division,
Higher Education Commission of Pakistan,
H-9, Islamabad.
Email: unaz@hec.gov.pk