The Early Career Scheme (ECS), introduced in 2012/13, is intended to nurture junior academics and to prepare them for a career in education and research.
The RGC's main objective is to fund as many worthy projects as possible across a broad front within the funds available. Nevertheless, projects of exceptional merit will be funded more fully than other projects.
The assessment criteria are as follows:
Academic quality/merit is the overriding criterion in evaluating research projects when others are accorded equal weight. In considering grant applications, the RGC will also take cognizance of alternative sources of funding available because some subject areas will attract more private funding than others.
Applications for ECS 2025/26 should reach the UGC Secretariat through the electronic system by 1 November 2024.
Please click here for the call letter issued by the Secretary, RGC to the Heads of UGC funded universities inviting applications.
To download the current forms, etc. please click here.