Bangladesh University Grants Commission (UGC) has launched an initiative to increase PhD and postdoctoral fellowships to expand high-quality, internationally standard research at the country’s universities. The commission also plans to strengthen research conditions, raise special research-sector allocations and build an effective, sustainable research ecosystem. UGC Chairman Professor Dr Mamun Ahmed outlined the measures while chairing the commission’s 179th full commission meeting on Monday.

UGC has raised the number of its own PhD scholarships from 75 to 100 and plans to increase the total gradually to 500 from the next fiscal year. Opportunities for PhD study abroad have also been increased from 10 to 35. The commission said it is taking steps to increase the number of postdoctoral fellowships as well.

The commission will submit a proposal to the government for special allocations for PhD and postdoctoral research in the next fiscal year. The meeting approved the “UGC Promotional and Academic Staff Development Research Project Policy, 2026.” The chairman said expanded domestic and overseas PhD opportunities are needed to address shortages of quality teachers at universities.