University of Kashmir Bags Rs 8.5 Cr ANRF Grants for Climate, Cancer, Earth Science Research | Kashmir Life

SRINAGAR: The University of Kashmir has secured research funding worth Rs 8.5 crore under the Advanced Research Grant (ARG) Scheme of the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF), Department of Science and Technology, Government of India, marking a major boost to its research and innovation capabilities.

The grants have been awarded for projects spanning key areas of Biological, Medical and Earth Sciences, including climate change and permafrost research, cancer biology, ecosystem restoration, genomics, microbiology, and the development of cold-resistant, high-yield maize varieties. University officials said the funding would significantly strengthen high-impact, region-specific research with national and global relevance.

According to the University, the projects were selected through a competitive national process following a rigorous peer-review mechanism. Research proposals submitted by Prof Ghulam Jeelani, Prof Anzar Khuroo, Prof Nazir Ahmad Dar, Prof Rabia Hamid, Prof Fouzia Rashid, Dr Irfan Rashid, Dr Rifat, and Dr Gulzar Ahmad were approved for funding, with the cumulative sanctioned amount reaching Rs 8.5 crore.

A substantial portion of the funding will be utilised for procuring advanced scientific equipment to enhance research infrastructure across departments. These include Gel Documentation Systems, Conviron Growth Chambers, Ground Penetrating Radar, Automatic Unmanned Aerial Vehicles, and Automatic Weather Stations, aimed at enabling precision-driven and technology-intensive research.

Vice Chancellor Prof Nilofer Khan termed the achievement a reflection of the University’s growing national standing in research and innovation. She said securing the highly competitive ANRF grants underscores the scientific rigour, dedication and innovative capacity of the faculty, and expressed confidence that the projects would contribute meaningfully to addressing pressing regional and global challenges.

Dean Research Prof Mohammad Sultan Bhat also congratulated the awardees, noting that the grants highlight the strength of the University’s research ecosystem. He said the enhanced infrastructure created through these projects would facilitate interdisciplinary collaborations and further elevate the quality and impact of research at the University.