Shillong, June 27: In a significant move to promote high-quality research in Meghalaya, Chief Minister Conrad Sangma launched the Chief Minister’s Research Grant (CMRG) at the Meghalaya Secretariat on Thursday.

The CMRG aims to foster research in various focus areas including Arts & Culture, Heritage Studies, Indigenous Communities, Land, Language & Lineage, and Evaluation Studies. Each selected project will receive a grant of Rs. 3 lakhs for a duration of 10 months.

Application and Selection Process

Applications for the grant will close at 11:59 PM on July 20, 2024. The selected scholars will be notified by the second week of August 2024, with the first installment of the grant to be released on August 15, 2024. Interested applicants can submit their proposals online through the Government of Meghalaya portal, the Department of Arts & Culture website, or the Department’s social media handles.

The selection process involves scrutiny by a CMRG Committee, followed by personal interviews held in Shillong. The selected candidates must demonstrate familiarity with research methodologies. The final list of selected candidates will be published online.

Grant Disbursement and Conditions 

The research grant will be disbursed in three installments. The first installment (50%) will be released after the necessary formalities are completed. The second installment (25%) will be provided upon submission of a detailed progress report after seven months. The final installment (25%) will be released upon submission of the Executive Summary, Final Report, and Final Statement of Accounts. Failure to submit these documents within the stipulated time will require the candidate to refund the entire grant.

The final research project will be the property of the Government of Meghalaya, with appropriate acknowledgment given to the support received under CMRG. The selected candidates are encouraged to publish their research in reputed UGC Care List journals with due acknowledgment.

Speaking at the launch, CM Conrad Sangma emphasized the importance of research and documentation. He said, “We have always felt that we lack documentation and research. Proper research and documentation are the foundation for many aspects of development. This initiative aims to support scholars and researchers who are keen to contribute but lack the necessary support.”

He added, “We envision that this research will create a repository of knowledge that will benefit future generations. Our aim is to make this program bigger and more inclusive over time. We want to start small, learn, and then expand.”

Sangma also highlighted the potential for integrating research outputs with visual media, including documentaries, which can be featured on the upcoming OTT platform for Meghalaya. “This initiative is not just about research but also about creating excitement, employment, and a sense of involvement among scholars and the youth,” he noted.

The Chief Minister concluded by urging scholars to apply for the grant, stating, “This program is meant for you. If you don’t apply, it goes to waste. We are open to increasing the numbers and the budget if necessary. I congratulate everyone involved in successfully launching this program and look forward to seeing its positive impact on our state.”

The launch of the CMRG marks a significant step towards encouraging academic and cultural research in Meghalaya, providing a structured platform for scholars to contribute to the state’s developmental initiatives.

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