Introduction

SUSRED (Support Scheme for Supervision of Research Degrees) is a NSF award given to Supervisors of postgraduate research degrees (MPhils and PhDs) and Departments/Divisions/Units of institutions that support postgraduate research in Sri Lanka, in recognition of the service to the nation.

Objectives

• Motivation of senior researchers to supervise postgraduate research degrees.
• Encourage universities and research institutions to promote and facilitate postgraduate research training.
• Encourage supervisors to complete the postgraduate research degrees within the stipulated time period without compromising quality.

Expected Outcome

Strengthen the National Research System with an increased number of trained/ qualified research personnel within a vibrant and dynamic research culture.

Eligibility criteria

• Supervisor/supervisory team (except foreign supervisors) and student should be citizens of Sri Lanka and registered with the NSF-STMIS database.

• A PhD should be awarded within a period of 4 years and a MPhil within 3 years from the date of registration (A letter from the Registrar of the university confirming dates of registration and award of postgraduate degree should be submitted).

• A minimum of one full research paper in an indexed (SCI, SCI expanded, SSCI) journal and/or a patent based on the research carried out for the postgraduate degree. Copy of publication and/or patent should be submitted.

• Postgraduate degree should be awarded by a recognized university in the country.

• Submission of a copy of the thesis is mandatory. The thesis will be returned after the selection process.

• All applications should be submitted through the Vice Chancellor of the University/ Head of the Institution.

How to apply

Category A -   Application should be submitted by the Principal Supervisor. All registered supervisors of the student should sign the application. For each postgraduate degree supervised, a separate application should be submitted.

Category B -   Departments/Divisions/Units/Centres of Universities or Public Research Institutes that has produced 3 or more research degrees (eligible for a SUSRED award) per year. The Principal Supervisor/ Co-Supervisor should be permanent staff members of the Institution.

AWARDS

The successful applicants will be entitled to the following;

Category A:

•  A cash award for the supervisor/supervisory team of the postgraduate degree (Rs. 300,000 for a PhD and Rs. 200,000 for a MPhil).
•  A plaque  and a certificate for each member of the supervisory team of the postgraduate degree.
•  One travel grant for one member of the supervisory team/student to present a paper based on the research at an international conference within 2 years from the date of award of the postgraduate degree, subject to satisfying the criteria of the NSF Travel Grants Scheme and availability of funding.
  

Category B:

•  A cash award (Amount to be decided later after finalizing the number of eligible awards) for infrastructure development, to be used only for improvement of research facilities (not teaching) of that Department or Division subject to availability of funding.