Seed Grant

Seed Grant Scheme for Research & Development

Yenepoya (Deemed to be University) is now acclaimed as one of the fastest growing research driven academic Institutions in India. The University has implemented seed grant program to encourage all faculty members of the constituent units/departments/Centers to engage in research activities in addition to their academic responsibilities. The broad objective is to inculcate research aptitude, the culture of collaborative research, to enhance research and technical skills helping capacity building and career growth of the teaching fraternity. The seed grant scheme meant to enable researchers to generate viable ad tangible research approach to fuel up confidence for applying and securing grants/fellowships from public/private national and international funding agencies.

Eligibility

• All regular faculties of any constituent college of Yenepoya (Deemed to be University) are eligible to apply for seed grants.
• For collaborative inter or intra-departmental projects, the faculty who is driving the project shall be the principal investigator (PI),
• Resident clinicians, visiting faculty, research scholars, and students can also take part as co-investigators.

Research Project Categories

The research projects preferably can be designed on the area domains those are of local, national or international importance. Collaborative and interdisciplinary projects are encouraged. Under the ambit of the Seed Grant Program, applications should be submitted in the prescribed format among the following two categories:

Category 1 (minor project)

• For the early career faculty who wish to conduct preliminary /pilot research work.
• The upper limit of the funding will be Rs. 1,00,000/-
• Project duration under this category is 1 year.

Category 2 (major project)

• Faculty having prior experience in conducting research projects independently and have published research articles in journals with indexed databases (Scopus/Web of Science)
• The funding shall be depends on the objectives of the project.
• The maximum duration of the project is 3 years.

Research Project Categories

• Applicants should submit proposals in the prescribed format duly signed by all the investigators through proper channel to the Registrar, Yenepoya (Deemed to be University). A soft copy of the proposal should be e-mailed to research@yenepoya.edu.in.
• Research proposals should include sufficient details on scientific merit and justifications on the roles and qualifications of Principal Investigator and budget items in the context of the research.
• The status of the proposal shall be intimated on completion of the scrutiny process as per the notification on the calendar of events issued at the time of calling for application for seed grant scheme for research. ( See Calendar )

Review and selection process

Proposal will be reviewed by expert reviewers for its scientific merit and originality. The project will be judged for the quality of writing, technicality, novelty, feasibility, focus, application, scientific and societal impact and team strength. The applicant is expected to provide a written rebuttal to their queries. Once shortlisted, the applicant shall present the project in the Yenepoya University Research Committee (YURC). The minor projects are exempted from presentation.

Flow chart of Seed Grant approval process:

Research Project Categories

• Project sanction order will be released subsequent to submission of ethical clearance and other relevant approvals.
• The release of funds shall be on an actual basis after receiving the annual reports on the completion of a year/phase of the project. However, the funds for category I seed grant scheme shall be need based.
• The date of commencement of the project will be the date of sanction order.
• All the items procured from the seed grant shall be the property of the department and can be used for subsequent studies by the department.
• Field work and manpower allowances shall be as per the University norms.
• All the procurements should be through the purchase department and bills should be sent to the finance department in the format for payment.
• Diagnostic investigations shall have special discount for research. However, prior permission needs to be taken for the same from the competent authority/Lab Director.
• YURC reserves the right to terminate the project at any stage if it is convinced that (i) appropriate progress is not being made (ii) the grant has not been utilized properly (iii) furnishing of false information or suppression of factual information.
• Financial utilization certificates should be submitted as of 31st March every year/or as indicated under the category of funding.

Publication of Results/Presentation of Papers:

• All the publications must be in journals indexed in Scopus/WoS/Pubmed
• All publications must include acknowledgement to the financial support in the form of seed grant as follows: This study was financially supported by the Yenepoya (Deemed to University) Seed grant (Grant no:…)
• Seed grant can be used for paying the open access publication charges with prior permission from the University.

Submission of progress/completion report and project extension/termination:

• The subsequent grant will be released after receipt of progress report, utilization certificate (UC) and statement of expenditure (SOE) in the prescribed format. Subsequent installments shall be released based on the satisfactory review of the report.
• On completion of the project, closure report should be submitted along with the UC and SOE approved by the Finance Officer of the University. Copies of the published articles showing the seed grant acknowledgement should be included along with closure report. If any patents filed, the details of the same should also be enclosed.
• Projects shall have to be strictly completed within the duration specified in the proposal. Extensions in extraordinary circumstances (e.g. delay in patient recruitments) shall be permitted, if the PI submits relevant justification to the University. Extension of maximum of three months without any additional grant shall be approved on the request by the PI.
• For extension beyond three months, separate application should be submitted. This should include objectives, detailed methodology and precise budget plan and extension timeline.
• Termination: In the case of PI receiving an extramural grant for the same/similar project, the seed grant shall be terminated and PI should submit closure report along with the UC and SOE approved by the Finance Officer of the University.

Change of Investigators

• In the event of PI leaving the institution, the Co PI shall take over as the PI with permission from the University.
• If the project does not have a Co-PI, the University shall request Head of the Department to identify a suitable PI to handle the project.
• In the event of failing to find a willing substitute investigator to carry forward the project the PI will be asked to submit all the reports pertaining to the seed grant, SOE and UC for winding up the project.

Forms and formats