Odisha Govt Awards ₹10 Lakh Research Grants to 60 Faculty Members

Bhubaneswar: In a significant push to strengthen higher education research, the Odisha government has extended financial assistance of up to ₹10 lakh each to 60 faculty members from universities and colleges across the state under the Mukhya Mantri Research and Innovation Fellowship Programme (MRIP) for the academic year 2025–26.

The programme is being implemented by the Higher Education Department in collaboration with the Odisha State Higher Education Council (OSHEC) with the objective of bolstering the research ecosystem and promoting innovation in alignment with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.

Out of the total beneficiaries, 10 faculty members were formally awarded the research grants on Saturday during a function attended by Higher Education Minister Suryabanshi Suraj. The Minister handed over the sanction letters and congratulated the awardees for their academic achievements and dedication to research excellence.

Addressing the gathering, Suraj said the MRIP was aimed at fostering a robust research culture within the state’s higher education institutions. He подчерк that financial support is vital for enhancing research capabilities and encouraging innovation to address societal challenges and contribute to Odisha’s overall development.

The Minister further reiterated the state government’s commitment to providing sustained support to researchers and academicians so that Odisha can emerge as a leading hub of research, innovation and academic excellence.

Director of Higher Education Kali Prasanna Mohapatra, Vice-Chancellor of Ramadevi Women’s University Dr. Chandi Charan Ratha, and OSHEC Executive Member Prof. Atanu Kumar Pati were present at the event.