The General Research Fund (GRF) aims to supplement universities’ own research support to researchers who have achieved or have the potential to achieve excellence.

The GRF covers two areas of research focused on broad knowledge enhancement and specific purposes.

1. Basic research: research for the sake of advancing the frontiers of knowledge regardless of whether it would provide immediate benefit to mankind; and
2. Applied research: efforts directed at meeting certain functional requirements which involve the application of theories to specific areas or for specific purpose, and/or benefit mankind in the short to medium term.

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:

1. academic quality/merit;
   1. scientific and scholarly merit of the proposal;
   2. qualifications and track record of the (principal) investigator(s);
   3. originality;
   4. feasibility within the time-scale of the proposal.
2. university’s commitment;
3. contribution to academic/professional development (where applicable);
4. potential for social, cultural or economic application; and
5. availability of, and potential for, non-RGC funding.

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 GRF 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 application forms, please click here.