NSF strengthens awareness on funding opportunities
The National Science Foundation (NSF) successfully conducted a three-day “Grant Awareness and Project Monitoring Programme” from 15th to 17th February 2026 at University of Jaffna (UoJ) and University of Vavuniya (UoV). The programme aimed to strengthen the awareness on NSF funding opportunities, improve grant management practices, and provide opportunity to engage with academic staff, researchers, and potential innovators in the Northern Province.
First Grant Awareness Session was conducted at the Faulty of Engineering, UoJ in Kilinochchi on 16th February 2026. This was coordinated by Eng. R. Valluvan, Faculty of Engineering and Dr (Mrs.) A. Shayanthan, Faculty of Agriculture. NSF officials delivered a comprehensive overview of NSF funding schemes to the academics/researchers from Faculty of Engineering, Faculty of Agriculture and Faculty of Technology.
The programme included an overview of NSF funding schemes and support mechanisms by Eng. Mahesh Dissanayake, explanation on different research grant scheme by Dr Inoka Sandanayake, capacity development and research infrastructure grant schemes by Mrs Sumudu Gunasekara and technology grant schemes by Mrs Sarani Meneripitiya. The interactive discussions added more clarity on proposal preparation, milestone reporting, and compliance requirements.
The next session was held at University of Jaffna, in collaboration with the University Business Linkage (UBL), University of Jaffna coordinated by Prof. M. Thanihaichelvan, Director UBL, and Mr Anuraghawan, Manager, UBL. A meeting was organized with the Deans of all faculties at University of Jaffna which provided a great opportunity to interact with the University officials.
Following that meeting, Prof. Punyamoorthi Ravirajan, Dean, Faculty of Science invited academics and researchers from multiple disciplines for the next awareness session. Participants actively engaged in discussions regarding proposal competitiveness, innovation pathways, and research commercialization opportunities.
On the last day, 17th February 2026 following an invitation from Vice Chancellor, University of Vavuniya, Senior Professor A. Atputharajah, the awareness session was extended to academics at University of Vavuniya.
Parallel to the awareness sessions, progress monitoring of the technology grant TG/2025/Tech‑D/14, titled “IoT‑based portable emission management system (PEMS)” led by Eng. V. Mugilgeethan, Senior Lecturer in the Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Jaffna, was conducted successfully. This activity also provided an opportunity to observe several additional innovations developed by the same research team, all of which contribute substantially to the emerging knowledge hub.
The program successfully winded up with enhanced awareness of NSF funding opportunities among regional academics and promoting innovation and start-up development pathways. The three-day outreach programme reinforced NSF’s commitment to expanding research capacity and supporting scientific and technological advancement across Sri Lanka, particularly in regional universities.
