Support Scheme for Supervision of Research Degrees (SUSRED) 2020/2021

• 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.

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

Supervisors of students who have completed their postgraduate degree during 2018, 2019, 2020 or 2021.

• Supervisor/supervisory team and student should be citizens of Sri Lanka and registered with the NSF-STMIS database.
• Supervisor/supervisory team members should be residing in Sri Lanka at the time of application.
• Full time postgraduate degrees completed in 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021 will be considered for 2020/2021 awards.
• A PhD should be awarded within a period of 4 years and a MPhil within 3 years from the date of registration for degrees completed in 2018 and 2019.
• A PhD should be awarded within a period of 5 years and a MPhil within 4 years from the date of registration for degrees completed in 2020 and 2021.
• 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.

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

• All applications should be submitted through the Vice Chancellor of the University/ Head of the Institution.
• Application form and other relevant information could be obtained from the National Science Foundation by sending a self-addressed envelope or could be downloaded from the NSF website.
• Completed applications should be submitted to the Director General, NSF on or before 01/03/2022. Please indicate SUSRED on the top left-hand corner of the envelope.
• An electronic version of the application should also be emailed to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
• Incomplete, inaccurate and late applications will NOT be considered.

"Since 01/03/2022 is a public holiday, applications will be accepted until 3.00 pm on 02/03/2022."

The successful applicants will be entitled to the following; 

• A cash award for the supervisor/supervisory team of the postgraduate degree (Rs. 100,000 for a PhD and Rs. 50,000 for a MPhil) subject to availability of funding.
• 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.