An FMA-Based Action Research Framework for Blockchain-Driven Scholarship Management: A Diagnostic Perspective

For equity in access to higher education, scholarship schemes play a vital role. This is particularly the case with developing countries, where economic problems may become an impediment to academic betterment. In India, in the state of Maharashtra, the Shikshan Shulk Scholarship scheme was designed with the same goal – of reducing the financial obstacles for eligible students. However, the operation of this scholarship is often seen to be dealing with delays, manual verification issues, and a lack of transparency. Present scholarship portals are centralized, causing central points of failure, lack immutable audit trails, and depend mainly on manual involvement. This causes inefficiencies, a reduction in stakeholder trust, and compromises the outcome of financial assistance. To resolve these challenges, this study proposes an FMA (Framework of Ideas, Problem Solving Methodology, Areas of Application) based Action Research framework for automating the Shikshan Shulk Scholarship Management using blockchain technology. By utilizing an action research approach, the study establishes how blockchain can improve accountability, reduce delays, and improve operational efficiency in scholarship disbursement. This strategy will contribute to streamlining scholarship management as well as to the broader theme of blockchain-based e-governance.