General Information for PI's

The following information is meant for PI's who have been sanctioned projects under PFRC-BRNS. They are requested to read through this page as well as the FAQ's so that they will be able to run the project efficiently.

Submission of review documents 

PFRC project reviews are conducted TWO times in a year, in July-August and in December-January.  PI's are required to send upload all the required documents related to the review meeting at least one month before the announced date on the BRNS web portal.

Once uploaded, please send a copy of (a) progress report (b) Inventory of equipment to <nfp@ipr.res.in>. There is no need to send other documents.  

Requests for Additional budget, re-appropriation of funds, new project staff etc. should also be submitted to <nfp@ipr.res.in> after obtaining approvals from the PC. These will be taken up during the PFRC Committee meeting. 

Co-PI's of the project

The project can have multiple Co-PI's as long as the Co-PI's are from the same institute as the PI.  In special cases, Co-PI from another institute can be allowed, provided one of the Co-PI is from the PI's institute.

Hiring of Project Staff

After the PI received the funding, PI can select and appoint the project staff. Even though the selection process can be done earlier, the appointment can be done only from the day of start of the project, which is the day the amount is received by your institute. The PI has to follow the selection norms being adopted by his/her affliate institute while advertising for and conducting the selection process. The advertisement for the selection of project staff  should also be uploaded on the BRNS website. Budget for adviertisement should be borne from the Institutional Overheads. The selection committee should also have the PC (or his/her representative) who could be present in person or via video conferencing/ Skype during the interview process.  Once the candidate(s) for the project position(s) are selected and appointment is done, their details have to be uploaded on to the BRNS web portal.

if a project staff quits after joining the project, PI may either select a candidate from the existing rank list (if still valid) or call for new applications (Follow your insitutional norms). An intimation of this needs to be sent to BRNS.

Validation of project Funds

The financial year for the BRNS accounts ends on 31-March 2016, so technically, the first year of the project ends on 31st March of every year, irrespective of when the fund was received by the PI's institiute. For example, if your project has been approved and your have received the first year's funding on 2nd January 2016, it means that the first year of the project has only an effective tenure of ~2 months. PI can do the following ; Request BRNS for a re-validation of the project from 1-April. This will essentially ensure you that your project gets the full 12 months of the first year. PI can use the template on his/her official letterhead and send it to the Programme Officer, PFRC, BRNS in the address given in the template. An email copy can also be sent in advance to the Programme Officer.

Re-appropriation of funds. 

If the PI requires to re-appropriate funds from one budget head to another, a written application for the same, stating the following, to  <nfp@ipr.res.in>. This should have the approval of the PC. This can be done at any time of the year. PI does not have to wait for the review meeting.  

(a) Justification for the re-appropriation (b) Amount and from which budget head to which head the re-appropriation is requested . 

Purchase of new equipment not listed in the original PPA.

For purchase of any new equipment that is not listed and approved in the original project proposal, the PI has to send a written application for the same, stating the following, to <nfp@ipr.res.in>. This should have the approval of the PC. 

 Justification for the new equipment (b) Additional budget required or if the amount is to be re-appropriated from any other head of the project budget.

Since this has to be approved by the PFRC Committee, any application for new equipment (even if additional budget is not required) received during the year will be taken up ONLY during the review meetings. 

Requirement of additional manpower in the project

For any requirement of additional manpower (other than listed in the PPA) has to have the approval ofthe PFRC Committee. PI has to send a written application for the same, stating the following, to <nfp@ipr.res.in>. This should have the approval of the PC. 

 Justification for the new project staff  (b) Additional budget required or if the amount is to be re-appropriated from any other head of the project budget.

Since this has to be approved by the PFRC Committee, any application for new equipment (even if additional budget is not required) received during the year will be taken up ONLY during the review meetings. 

Requesting carry forward of unspent funds

PI can request for carrying forward the unspent amount in their respective budget heads. Request should have appropriate justification and should be approved by the PC. This request has to be made during the review meeting.

Requesting additional funds

PI can request for additional funds / manpower during the review meeting only. Any mid-term request will be considered only during the next review meeting. Request should have appropriate justification and should be approved by the PC.

Publication of scientific data originating from PFRC project

PI has to take explicit approval of the PC for publishing any kind of data in any form (Conference, journal publication etc). 

PI should ensure that the publication should contain name(s) of the PC(s) and acknowledgement to BRNS for the support. 

Patenting the outcome of project

PI has to first take explicit approval of the PC

All patenting of any outcome of the BRNS funded project should be done through the patenting cell of BARC/DAE. 

Communication with PC

This is an integral part of the execution of the project. Many a times, it is seen that the PI communicates with the PC only just before the review meetings.  PI is advised correspond with the PC on a regular basis for both scientific as well as non-scientific issues related with the project. In case the PI faces any difficulty with the PC, PI can contact <nfp@ipr.res.in>. Also, PI can mark a copy of all their communications with the PC to the <nfp@ipr.res.in> email ID. PI's must also note that the Committee can short close the project in the event that they are not be satisfied with the progress of the project.  

Review of projects

Annual review of projects will be held twice a year, ie, in July-Aug and Dec-Jan. It is MANDATORY for the PI to appear for the project review. In special cases, with permission from the Committee, the Co-PI may take the place of the PI.

Project progress reviews are conducted for all projects in its pre-final and final years. That is, if the project tenure is 3 years, then the project is reviewed by the PFRC committee only in the 2nd and 3rd years, and if the tenure is 2 years, then the project is reviewed in both 1st and 2nd years. If the project is given an extension of more than 3 months, then the PI will have to appear for the review, unless otherwise specified by the Committee. This is important as in some cases, the extension of the project will be without additional funds and the date of review could be after the date of completion of the project. Hence, PI is asked to set aside, the required amount for travel and boarding for the review.

PI should be aware when their project would be reviewed next. If by any chance, you do not receive communication from <nfp@ipr.res.in> regarding your project at least 2 months before the progress review, please get in touch with NFP.

Uploading of Project Documents to BRNS web portal

PI should not directly upload project files to BRNS web portal without obtaining approval from NFP / IPR. Project file (PPA) and budget sheet (Excel) should be first submitted to NFP (nfp@ipr.res.in). After obtaining approval from IPR, PI will be asked to upload project files to BRNS web portal.

Queries related to the project

For all matters related to the BRNS web portal as well as for issues related to project funding, the PI has to contact BRNS office. The following person may be contacted at BRNS for Website related issues "Ashwini" <ashwinidg@barc.gov.in> Phone : 022-2559 0867. For financial issues, PI can contact the Programme Officer, PFRC "Shri. D. K. Dalal" <dkdalal@barc.gov.in> Ph. 022-25594683

For any other matter related to the project, PI can contact <nfp@ipr.res.in> 079-23962181