Research Projects

The ICSSR promotes, sponsors and coordinates research in the various domains of Social and Human sciences to cultivate a dynamic ecosystem of advanced research in the country. In line with this, Major & Minor Research Projects are awarded to Indian Social and Human Science researchers, with the aim of contributing to national development by offering evidence-based solutions to present and future challenges in diverse fields.

ELIGIBILITY

2.1 Researchers who are permanently employed or retired as faculty from UGC Recognized Indian Universities/Deemed to be Universities/ Affiliated Colleges/Institutions under (2) F or 12(B), ICSSR Research Institutes, ICSSR Recognised Institutes and Institutes of National Importance as defined by the Ministry of Education (MoE) are eligible to apply. The Project Director and Co-Project Director must also hold a Ph.D. Degree.

2.2 In exceptional cases, Independent researchers with PhD degrees who are not affiliated permanently with any institution mentioned in Clause 2.1 but have produced at least two sole-author books published by reputed publishers and/or 05 articles in peer-reviewed journals can also be considered as Co-Project Directors. Such scholars will be required to collaborate with a faculty from institutions given in 2.1 above.

2.3 Further, those researchers with PhD degrees who are in contractual appointment in academic/research institutions mentioned in Clause 2.1 and have produced at least two sole-author books published by reputed publishers and/or 05 articles in peer-reviewed journals may also apply as Co-Project Directors. In the event of their contract expiry, they may continue as Co-Project Directors until the completion of the project.

2.4 Senior and retired government and defence officers (having not less than 05 years of regular service) possessing a Ph. D. degree in any social science discipline and having produced at least two sole-author books published by reputed publishers and/or 05 articles in peer-reviewed journals can also apply as Co-Project Directors, in collaboration with a faculty from institutions given in 2.1 above.

2.5 Non-academic participants/stakeholders/local community may also be part of the research team in the capacity of Key Informant.

DURATION AND VALUE

APPLICATION PROCEDURE

• Applications will be invited through open advertisement on ICSSR website and its social media platforms.
• The procedure for the award of the fellowships will include evaluation and interaction/presentation of applications by the panel of subject experts in multiple phases.

IMPORTANT POINTS

Joining and Release of Grants

• The Project Director has to join the project as per the date of commencement notified by the ICSSR by submitting the requisite documents such as an ‘undertaking’ on an Rs.100 stamp paper duly verified by a notary, declaration in prescribed format on a Rs.100 stamp paper duly verified by a notary, Grant-in-Aid bill towards the first instalment on or before the given deadline and Registration Mandate Form of PFMS Account of those affiliating / administering institutions, which have not linked their accounts to PFMS for ICSSR grant. The joining period can be extended only in exceptional circumstances up to a maximum of three months by the ICSSR.
• The total awarded grant for the Major & Minor Research Project will be released to the affiliating institution in instalments as indicated in the Award Letter.
• The Overhead Charges to the affiliating institution will be released after the acceptance of Final Report along with the receipt of the final audited Statement of Accounts and Utilisation Certificate in prescribed formats, which shall be verified by the ICSSR.
• The Project Director will ensure that the expenditure incurred by him/her conforms to the approved budget heads and relevant rules. The Audited Statement of accounts with Utilization Certificate in form 12A of GFR is mandatory for the entire approved amount for the project.

Monitoring of Research Projects

• Research undertaken by a Project Director will be monitored through the submission of periodic progress reports in the prescribed format. The project may be discontinued/terminated if research progress is found unsatisfactory or if any ICSSR rules are violated. In such cases, the entire amount must be refunded with a 10% penal interest.
• The scholar/awardee must acknowledge the support of ICSSR in all their publications resulting from the project output such as Research Papers, Journal Articles, and Articles in edited Books etc., and they must submit a copy of the same to the ICSSR during the course of or after completion of the project.
• The ICSSR reserves the right to change the affiliating institute if it is found that the affiliating institute is not co-operating with the scholar and it is not facilitating timely completion of the study.
• Final report submitted by the Project Director is mandatorily evaluated by an Expert appointed by the ICSSR before considering the release of the final instalment.
• The Project Director shall be personally responsible for the timely completion of the Project.
• If the Project Director fails to utilize the grant for the purpose for which the same has been sanctioned/or fails to submit the audited statement of expenditure within the stipulated period, the he/she will be required to refund the amount of the grant with interest thereon @ 10% per annum.

Research outcome

• The Copyright of the manuscript of final report will rest with the ICSSR. The ICSSR reserves all rights to publish the fellowship report funded by it, provided the work is recommended for publication by Expert/Experts. The scholars can get it published themselves only after seeking permission from ICSSR.
• The scholar shall acknowledge ICSSR’s support in all publications resulting from the research output of the fellowship.

Post sanction requests

• The contingency grant may be utilized for stationery, computer typing related costs, specialised assistance such as data analysis and consultation for field trip etc., related to the research work.