SANGSAD BHABAN, June 14, 2026 (BSS) - Minister for Science and Technology 
Faqir Mahbub Anam today told Parliament that the government has continued 
expanding financial and institutional support for young scientists, 
researchers and innovation-driven activities across the country.

Responding to a starred tabled question from ruling party lawmaker Selina 
Sultana (Women Seat-35), he said the Ministry of Science and Technology has 
been providing National Science and Technology (NST) Fellowships to students 
and researchers pursuing MS, MPhil, PhD and postdoctoral studies in science 
and technology-related disciplines at different universities.

"During the 2025-26 fiscal year, a total of 4,282 researchers received grants 
amounting to Taka 25.45 crore under the NST Fellowship programme," he said.

With Deputy Speaker Barrister Kayser Kamal in the chair, Faqir Mahbub Anam 
said the ministry is also encouraging science-based higher education and 
research through grants for Research and Development (R&D) projects aimed at 
developing new technologies and improving the quality of scientific research.

In the current fiscal year, 358 scientists and researchers received Taka 3.97 
crore in grants under the R&D programme, he added.

The ministry has also provided Taka 30 lakh in grants to 30 science-based 
organisations and institutions during FY2025-26 to support scientific 
activities, development programmes, journal publications and the organisation 
of seminars, symposiums, workshops and exhibitions.

According to the minister, special research grants are being provided to 
teachers, researchers and young scientists from public and private 
universities, as well as researchers from various public and private 
organisations, to promote scientific research and technological innovation.

He said the government has undertaken a range of initiatives to encourage 
research and innovation among young scientists and facilitate the development 
and commercialisation of their projects.

These include financial and technical support for innovative research through 
universities, research institutions and science-based organisations, as well 
as the organisation of science fairs, innovation exhibitions, seminars, 
workshops and training programmes.

The minister said the National Institute of Biotechnology, under the Ministry 
of Science and Technology, is providing training, research facilities and 
access to laboratories for students, researchers and young scientists.

The institute regularly offers research training, internships, thesis support 
and access to modern biotechnology laboratories for undergraduate and 
postgraduate students, contributing significantly to the development of 
skilled researchers in the country, he added.

Highlighting support for research institutions, the minister said Bangladesh 
Council of Scientific and Industrial Research approved 143 projects with 
allocations of Taka 6.62 crore in FY2024-25 while 94 projects received 
allocations amounting to Taka 6.19 crore in FY2025-26.

He also informed the House that the Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission 
awarded 15 special research grant projects to its scientists during FY2025-26 
with a total budget allocation of Taka 80.75 lakh.

"Once implemented, these projects are expected to make significant 
contributions to agriculture, food production, healthcare, nuclear medicine, 
public health, and science and technology sectors," he concluded.