The NECRD encourage research and academic institute of the region to collaborate and contribute to the academic and the outreach activities of the University and the EDNERU. The collaboration is in the form of sponsoring major and minor research project to the research scholars and organizations of the North Eastern Region. 

 1. Objective

 To promote excellence in system based and discipline based research on issues concerning the NE Region by supporting research programmes of faculty members of all institutions of higher learning in the NE Region.

 2.  Eligibility  

Research Projects may be undertaken by an individual or group of individuals associated with an academic / research institutions. In case a project is undertaken jointly, one of the applicants will function as the Principal Investigator (PI) and he/she will be responsible for all matters pertaining to the project.

Only one project will be sanctioned by NECRD at any given time. The one, which is offered and accepted, first, must be completed before another offer is accepted. Failure to abide by this rule shall make the PI and the institution liable to refund the entire amount paid by the NECRD in all such schemes and they may be debarred from participation in future NECRD programmes. It would be the responsibility of the PI and the institution for total accountability of the project.

 Retired persons up to the age of 70 years can also participate under the scheme. However, he /she should not be above the age of 67 years at the time of applying for the project.

 3. Nature of Assistance and Duration

 (a) Amount and Duration

• Major Research Project – Above Rs.3.0 lacs and up to Rs. 10.00 lacs

Duration – upto 3 years 

• Minor Research Project – Above Rs. 50,000 and upto Rs. 3.00 lacs

Duration – 1-2 years

The grant may be used for meeting expenditure on floppies, stationery, postage, telephone bills, Internet, fax, computation and printing and other consumable items needed in connection with the project. Expenditure on travel and field work undertaken for the implementation of the ongoing project only may also be incurred. The mode of travel shall be as per the entitlement of the teacher concerned in the respective institution.

Books and journals acquired by the PI under a major or Minor Project must be deposited to the NECRD at the end of the Project. No expenditure may be incurred on purchase of capital items.

 5. Institutional Overheads

The host institute will be provided additional grant of 10% of the approved budget as overhead cost, to provide infrastructural facilities.

 6. Procedure for Applying 

All eligible persons, working or retired, who wish to avail financial assistance for Research Project should submit their proposal in the prescribed proforma (Annexure-1) to the NECRD through the concerned academic research institutions.

 The proposals may be sent to the Deputy Director, EDNER Unit, Block 13, IGNOU Maidan Garhi, New Delhi.

  7.  Procedure for Approval

 The preliminary screening of the proposal will be done with the help of an expert committee. The PIs for the Major Research Project will be invited to make a presentation before the Expert Committee. Proposals will not be considered in absentia.

  8. Procedure for Release of Grants

 The first installment of the grant shall comprise of 50% of the total grant approved by NECRD. The amount released can be spent according to the need on the approved heads/items within the approved allocation for the respective heads/items. If the grant is not utilized within one year from the release of grant, justification for non-utilization should be sent to NECRD.

 The second installment comprising of 40% of the total allocation would be released on utilization of atleast 80% of the earlier grant and on receipt of the progress report, utilization certificate and item-wise statement of expenditure in the prescribed proforma (as per AnnexureII-V) duly certified by the Head of the Institute.

The amount further required towards completion of the project (10%) may be released by the NECRD on receipt of the completion documents as follows:

(1)   A bound copy of the final report of work done on the project in book form along with CD/Floppy.

(2)   Detailed information about the Project in the prescribed proforma (Annexure-VI)

(3)   Month-wise and year-wise detailed statement of expenditure towards salary of staff appointed under the Project.

(4)   A consolidated item-wise detailed statement of expenditure incurred during the tenure of the project in the prescribed proforma duly signed by the Head of the Institute

(5)   A consolidated Audited Utilization Certificate for the amount actually utilized towards the project duly signed and sealed by the Govt./Chartered Accountant in the prescribed proforma.

(6)   The unutilized grant if any, may be refunded immediately through demand draft.

(7)   Any expenditure incurred prior to the issue of the approval letter and after the expiry of tenure of the project will not be admissible.]

 8. Monitoring and Evaluation 

Annual Progress Report of work done must be submitted as per Annexure – III with a summary to NECRD within four weeks after completion of each year. 

NECRD shall organize mid-term group review meetings of all the projects which have completed one and a half years to two years of duration where the PI shall be invited for presentation of work being done by them before an Expert Committee constituted by NECRD. 

The recommendations of the mid-term Evaluation Committee would decide the continuance of the Project.