A Scheme "National Fellowship For Students With Disabilities" was initiated by the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities under the "Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment".

The following students are eligible for the NFPwD scheme: Persons with disabilities (PWDs) as defined under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, with at least 40% disability. Students who have secured admission to an M. Phil. or Ph.D. program in a university/institution recognized by the University Grants Commission (UGC).

The value of the NFPwD fellowship is as follows: 1. Junior Research Fellow (JRF): ₹ 31,000 per month 2. Senior Research Fellow (SRF): ₹ 35,500 per month

The NFPwD fellowship is awarded for a maximum period of five years, including the JRF and SRF periods.

Students can apply for the NFPwD fellowship through the online application portal of the UGC. The last date for applying for the fellowship is usually in the month of June.

1. Disability certificate 2. Mark sheets of all previous qualifying examinations 3. Admission letter to the M. Phil. or Ph.D. program 4. Research proposal 5. Two passport size photographs

The selection criteria for the NFPwD fellowship are as follows: 1. Merit 2. Disability certificate

The UGC will notify the selected students through email.

Students who have not been selected for the NFPwD fellowship can reapply in the following year. They can also explore other funding opportunities for students with disabilities.