Government to offer grants for research on Liberation War, July Uprising

The Ministry of Liberation War Affairs has taken an initiative to encourage the collection, preservation and research of the lesser-known history and local-level accounts of the Liberation War, offering grants. Both individuals and institutions will be eligible to participate.

According to the guidelines issued by the ministry, researchers or research teams will receive grants ranging from a minimum of Tk 500,000 to a maximum of Tk 2,500,000, depending on the type and scope of research. The initiative also provides scope for research on the July Uprising alongside the Liberation War.

The guidelines outline three categories for grants. Category 'A' provides Tk 1,000,000 to Tk 2,500,000 for team or institutional research with a duration of one year. Category 'B' provides Tk 500,000 to Tk 1,000,000 for individual research with a duration of nine months. Category 'C' provides Tk 500,000 for individual research with a duration of six months.

Alamgir Hossain, Deputy Secretary (Development) of the ministry, said the number of researchers to receive grants annually has not yet been determined. This will be finalised based on the budget. He noted that research opportunities are also included on martyrs and injured individuals from the July Uprising alongside freedom fighters.

Key areas of research on the Liberation War include its history, public participation, verification of lists of freedom fighters and martyrs, genocide, war crimes, human rights violations, martyred intellectuals, killing fields, refugee life, and international support. The collection of regional war event narratives and documents will also fall under the research scope.

Research on the July Uprising will focus on its context, aspirations, rehabilitation of martyrs and the injured, preservation of memories, and accounts of valour.

Government officials, retired officials, university teachers, members of research institutions, and MPhil and PhD researchers with relevant experience will be eligible to apply. However, applicants cannot be engaged in research under another institution at the same time.

Research proposals will be invited by July 31 each year and must be submitted by October 31. Final approvals will be granted by December 31 after evaluation. A fund will be established to manage this initiative, supported by the Annual Development Programme, revenue budget or development partner funding.

A ten-member committee, chaired by an Additional Secretary of the ministry, has been formed to oversee the research activities. Selected researchers must complete their work and submit reports within the stipulated time, with the ministry regularly monitoring progress.

Ministry officials hope this initiative will uncover unknown history of the Liberation War and help preserve authentic information for future generations.