Below are some of the Frequently Asked Questions related to BRFST travel assistance for attending conferences outside India.  If your question is not listed below, kindly contact BRFST.This page will be updated routinely.

Please read the FAQ's carefully.

Q. Who can apply for the Travel Assistance ?

A. Any project staff employed in an ongoing BRFST funded R&D project and who has registered for a PhD programme in his/her host institution.

Q. Shoud the work to be presented be a result of the work done in the project ?

Y. YES. This is absolutely essential.

Q. What documents need to be submitted for Travel Assistance ? 

A. The following documents need to be submitted in print (with a forward copy by e-mail) (i) Application in the prescribed format (ii) Details of the conference and copy of the first announcement (iii) Abstract and manuscript of the full paper accepted for presentation.  (iv) acceptance letter from the conference organizer (v) Details of other assurances of partial financial assistance (vi) Document showing round trip airfare. (v) Recommendation from the PI of the project, endorsed by the head of the Institution / Department. (vi) CV of the applicant along with a short writeup about the research work carried out by the applicant.

Q. I am a project staff, but I have not registered for PhD. Can I utilize this assistance ?

A : NO. Registration for PhD programme is mandatory.

Q. I am the PI of the project supported by BRFST. Can I utilize this assistance ?

A. NO. This financial assistance is available ONLY for project staff who have registered for PhD in his/her host institution.

Q. I do not have assurance of financial assistance from any other funding agency. Can BRFST provide complete assistance ?

A. BRFST provides only partial assistance, specially for travel. Assurance from other funding agancies will increase the chances of obtaining the BRFST funding.

Q. Will BRFST remburse the conference registration fee and local transport (in the foreign country) ?

A. NO. BRFST will support ONLY the airfare between India and the closest airport to the conference venue. Registration fee and local transport charges (in the foreign country) will not be rembursed.

Q. When will I be given the assistance ?

A. Once the Board approves the sanction and the quantum of financial assistance, a letter of assurance will be sent to the applicant. The applicant has to make the trip, and within one month of return to India, submit the following documents to BRFST (i) Application in the appropriate format (ii) Original airline boarding passes (iii) Ticket showing total amount in INR (iv) Participation certificate from the organizers of the conference. Based on these documents, the amount will be sent to the person/address provided by the applicant. 

Q. The conference is for 3 days but I am planning to visit a few labs in that country for a week after the conference. Can i still apply for the assistance ?

A. YES. Airfare will be provided ONLY between the closest airport to the applicant's institute in India and the closest airport to the conference venue. No other travel expenditure will be admissible under this scheme. Applicant is free to travel anywhere he/she wishes at his/her own expense.