Scheme for Setting Up of Centre of Excellence
State: Central
Ministry: Ministry Of Chemicals And Fertilizers
Department: Department Of Chemicals And Petrochemicals
Category: Transport & Infrastructure, Science, IT & Communications
Beneficiary Type: University / Institution, Government Organisation

The scheme aims to provide strategic funding for collaborative research and development in the chemicals and petrochemicals sector. It provides a grant of up to ₹5,00,00,000/- to existing Government universities and organizations for research equipment, staff, and technology commercialization.

Benefits:
- The scheme provides financial support for a maximum of 50% of the total investment or costs of the project, subject to an upper limit of ₹5,00,00,000/-.
- The funding includes support for laboratory equipment, plant and machinery, research literature, and consumables.
- The funding covers support for research staff, including Junior Research Fellow, Senior Research Fellow, and Research Associate till the project period.
- The grant covers expenses for organizing workshops, conferences, or seminars in the relevant area, and for the filing of patents.
- The duration of the financial support from the Department of Chemicals and Petrochemicals is for a period of 5 years.
- The funds will be released to the beneficiary in three installments.
- Any funds generated from the disposal of capital equipment shall be flowed back to the Centre of Excellence.

##### ***Disbursement***

- A minimum of 50% of the sanctioned grant must be used exclusively for the procurement of equipment for the project.
- Not more than 10% of the total grant sanctioned can be spent for organizing workshops, seminars, and conferences by the Centre of Excellence.
- The second and third installments will be released only after receiving a satisfactory achievement-cum-performance report.
- The subsequent installments are subject to the acceptance of the Utilization Certificate and the approval of the Project Sanctioning Committee.

##### ***Conditions***

- The grantee institution must register at the Controller General of Accounts website.
- The grantee must continuously post progress reports and Utilization Certificates under the Expenditure Advance Transfer module.
- Any unspent balance from the sanctioned amount, including accrued interest, must be refunded to the Government of India via an Account’s Payee Demand Draft.
- The grantee must furnish an audited statement of accounts pertaining to the grant at the end of each financial year.
- Half-yearly progress reports detailing equipment purchased, patents filed, and scholar activities must be submitted to the Department of Chemicals and Petrochemicals.
- All acquired assets must be installed permanently in the premises of the Centre of Excellence and not in any other department.
- The Centre of Excellence must report their achievements yearly to enable documenting success stories and shortcomings.

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Eligibility:
- The applicant must be an existing Central or State Government University, or a Government organization with a proven track record of academic excellence or research.
- The applicant must be currently engaged in research and development activities in the chemical or petrochemical sector.
- The applicant must demonstrate current research engagement through publications, research projects, consultancy assignments, and registered Doctor of Philosophy candidates.
- The applicant must have adequate infrastructure in terms of land and building to house the Centre of Excellence, research scholars, equipment, and machinery.
- The applicant must have sufficient and competent manpower or research staff who could be engaged in the proposed field.
- The applicant must appoint a Team Leader who is an established research scientist with requisite administrative experience.
- The applicant must ensure that the Team Leader has continuity in research, demonstrated by publications in the last five years in peer-reviewed international journals.
- The applicant must ensure that the Co-investigator and other team members are under the permanent payroll of the proposed institute.
- The applicant must ensure that the Co-investigator and other team members have publications in international journals.
- The applicant should have an industrial partner from the beginning for promoting applied research, technology transfer, and commercialization.

##### ***Post-Selection Conditions***

- The applicant must execute a Bond on a non-judicial stamp paper before any grants-in-aid are released.
- The applicant must take appropriate safety and insurance measures to safeguard against any loss to human life and property related to the Centre of Excellence.
- The applicant must indemnify, defend, and hold harmless the Department of Chemicals and Petrochemicals from any losses, expenses, or liabilities.
- The applicant must obtain prior permission from the Department of Chemicals and Petrochemicals before disposing of unserviceable capital equipment worth more than ₹1,00,000/-.

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Application Process:
[Online]
Step 1: Preparation of the Project ReportThe Team Leader of the proposed Centre of Excellence must comprehensively prepare the Project Report based on the broad areas of research. This proposal must be filled out using the enclosed proforma and must include a logical framework specifying sub-activities, outputs, assumptions, and timelines.
Step 2: Internal Submission and ReviewThe Team Leader must submit the completed Project Report to the Head of the institution for rigorous internal evaluation. The Head of the institution must assess the proposal for qualitative improvements and internal competitiveness among different units.
Step 3: Endorsement by the Head of the InstitutionThe Head of the institution must append specific recommendations and observations regarding the identified centre's past achievements and infrastructure availability. This endorsement must explicitly state the centre's potential for growth and the justification for additional support.
Step 4: Final Submission via EmailThe Head of the institution must e-mail the finalized and complete proposal to the official address at shalini.mahajan@nic.in. All required documentation and specific proposals must be appropriately attached before the deadline.
Application DeadlinesThe deadline for the submission of complete proposals is 31st July of the respective year.
Grievance Redressal / Help & SupportThe applicants can reach out for queries to - The Joint Director, Department of Chemicals and Petrochemicals, 011-23385263.

Documents Required:
Project Report in the Prescribed Proforma.
Proof of Publications, Research Projects, Consultancy Assignments, and Registered Doctor of Philosophy Candidates.
Proof of Publications in Various Peer-Reviewed International Journals in the Last Five Years by the Team Leader.
Proof of Permanent Payroll Status for the Co-Investigator and Other Team Members.
Proof of Publications in International Journals by the Co-Investigator and Other Team Members.
Bond on a Non-Judicial Stamp Paper (Required at the Time of Benefit Disbursal).
Half-Yearly Progress Reports (Required During Continuation of Benefits).
Utilization Certificate (Required at the Time of Benefit Renewal or Continuance).
Audited Statement of Accounts (Required at the Time of Benefit Renewal or Continuance).