Kathmandu - The Ministry of Education, Science and Technology has invited proposals for research grants in priority areas of science, technology and innovation.
The ministry has announced the grant programme under its approved annual programme for Fiscal Year 2026/27 (2083/84). The programme is intended to provide financial support for research in designated priority areas of science, technology and innovation.
Who Can Apply?
Interested institutions and groups wishing to participate in the competitive grant programme must submit proposals in accordance with the “Science, Technology and Innovation Programme Grant Implementation Procedure, 2083.”
Applicants can submit their proposals in the format prescribed in Schedule 3 of the procedure within 15 days from the date of publication of the notice, which was issued on Tuesday, Ashwin 6, 2083.
Applications that meet the requirements specified in the procedure will be evaluated, and the selection committee will select proposals based on the stated criteria and requirements.
According to the procedure, the ministry can provide up to NPR 1 million (Rs. 10 lakh) to a single proposer in a fiscal year for full implementation of an approved proposal.
Following the selection, the ministry will enter into an implementation agreement with the selected proposer, including the conditions governing grant disbursement.
How Will the Grant Be Disbursed?
The approved grant will be released to the proposer's bank account in three instalments.
The first instalment will cover 40 percent of the approved grant amount. It will be released within 15 days after the agreement is signed and the proposer submits evidence that the project has commenced.
A further up to 50 percent may be released after the work specified in the proposal has been completed according to the agreed timeline, subject to the submission and verification of expenditure bills, receipts and monitoring reports.
The remaining amount will be released as the final instalment after the completion report and other required expenditure-related documents have been submitted and verified.
What Can the Grant Be Used For?
The grant amount must be used exclusively for research purposes.
The procedure does not allow grant funds to be used for purchasing vehicles or for constructing or repairing physical infrastructure such as buildings, sheds or offices.
Similarly, the grant cannot be used for foreign travel to participate in conferences, seminars, workshops or similar events. The funds also cannot be used to organise such conferences, seminars, workshops or other events within Nepal.
The procedure also places a limit on expenditure on researchers' facilities and remuneration. No more than 20 percent of the total grant received from the ministry can be spent on researchers' facilities and remuneration.
How to Apply?
Applications must be submitted online through the ministry's designated portal:
Applicants must also attach all required certified documents along with their online applications.
Institutions and research groups interested in the grant are advised to review the Science, Technology and Innovation Programme Grant Implementation Procedure, 2083 carefully before submitting their proposals and ensure that their applications meet all the prescribed requirements within the 15-day deadline.