The Odisha Government has decided to create a ‘Research Fund’ in a bid to enhance the quality of medical education by facilitating research amongst faculties and students.

This will encourage research publications and presentation of research works in conferences within the country, said a senior Health Department official on Monday.

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It will help the faculties to remain updated in the field of advanced treatment and teaching methodologies which in turn will help in providing better health care services to the people.

“With a view to strengthen the quality of medical education and research in the State, Government has decided to provide a ‘Research Fund’, to be placed with the respective Dean and Principals/Directors of all Government Medical I Dental College and Hospitals and Post Graduate Institutes of the State, to meet the expenditure towards research related activities undertaken in these institutions,” a notification issued by the Health and Family Welfare Department stated.

Research assistance can be claimed by a faculty only once per year and only the principal investigator who is in regular government service in the State is eligible for the same. But he or she is eligible to apply for another project only after completing the first with approval of the selection committee, read the notification.

All travel expenses, including flights, trains, buses, or car rentals as per the eligibility under prevailing Odisha TA Rules will be allowed to the eligible candidates.

A total research fund amounting to Rs 1 crore each per annum will be provided to SCB Medical College Hospital, Cuttack, MKCG Medical College Hospital, Berhampur and VIMSAR, Burla; and a total Research fund amounting to Rs.50 lakh each per annum will be provided to the new Government Medical Colleges and SCB, Dental College, Cuttack.

The Post Graduate Institutes will be provided with a total Research fund amounting to Rs 25 lakh each per annum. In case an institute has utilised the allotted fund and requires more funding, then re-allocation can be carried out, keeping the annual limit of the research fund intact, the notification added.