ICSSR SENIOR FELLOWSHIP

ICSSR Senior Fellowship

The ICSSR Senior Fellowship, offered by the Indian Council of Social Scientific Research under the Ministry of Education, supports accomplished Indian researchers aged 45 to 70 with a monthly fellowship of Rs. 45,000, a contingency grant of Rs. 40,000 per annum, and recognition through API points. Eligible applicants must hold a Ph.D. in a social science discipline and have a strong publication record.

Central Cash

States / UT: All India

Ministry / nodal: Ministry of Education

Nodal department: Department Of Higher Education

Scheme for: Individual

Scheme profile

DBT (direct benefit transfer): No

Categories: Education & Learning

Sub-categories: Universities and higher education

Target beneficiaries: Individual

Tags: ICSSR Fellowships, Senior Fellowship, Social Science Research, Research Promotion, Social Scientists

Details

The Senior Fellowship Scheme is specifically designed for senior researchers who are between the ages of 45 and 70, affiliated with a UGC-recognized university, deemed university, institute of national importance, or ICSSR-recognized research institute, have a PhD and has made significant academic contributions in their fields through books, journal articles, or research initiatives. The fellowship is for two years with progress reports to be submitted every six months. An annual contingency grant of ₹40,000 and a monthly stipend of ₹45,000 are included in the fellowship to help with research-related costs. The applications for the fellowship are invited through advertising on the ICSSR website and social media platforms. The scheme covers a wide range of disciplines under the discipline of social sciences, with 26 major areas including priority research topics. All the scholars must submit a book-length final report, and at least two published research papers at the end of two years. The fellowship program supports dedicated academics to generate noteworthy research with national priorities and international academic standards with precise guidance on grant disbursement, monitoring, reporting, and the responsibilities of both the fellow and the affiliated institution. Given India's social science ecosystem, it seeks to promote research excellence, evidence-based research, and scholarship that is also relevant to policymakers.

Benefits

  • 1) Monthly Fellowship amount @ Rs.45 000 per month 2) Contingency Grant @ Rs.40 000 per annum 3) API points as per the UGC Guidelines in force at the point of time
  1. Monthly Fellowship amount @ Rs.45,000 per month
  2. Contingency Grant @ Rs.40,000 per annum
  3. API points as per the UGC Guidelines in force at the point of time

Eligibility

  1. The applicant must be an Indian citizen.
  2. Must have a Ph.D. in any Social Science discipline.
  3. Age: Between 45 to 70 years as on the last application date.
  4. Must have an established publication record in reputed journals or books.
  5. Must be affiliated with a UGC-recognized or ICSSR research institute.
  6. Should not be availing any other fellowship concurrently.
  7. Must not be a defaulter of ICSSR funds.

Exclusions

  1. Those who are not fulfilling the edibility criteria.

Application Process

Online

Step 01: Visit ICSSR website - www.icssr.org - and navigate to Fellowships section.
Step 02: Click on Senior Fellowship Scheme.
Step 03: Register/Login to the ICSSR portal.
Step 04: Fill the online application form.
Step 05: Upload documents and submit.

Clarifications

Additional points from the scheme information published on myScheme (not legal advice).

What is the monetary benefit of the Senior Fellowship?
The fellowship provides ₹45,000 per month and a contingency grant of ₹40,000 per annum.
How is the fellowship amount disbursed?
The amount is disbursed in instalments through the affiliating institution upon submission of the required reports and bills.
What is the contingency grant meant for?
It covers research assistance, books, stationery, fieldwork, and computer-related expenses.
Who can apply for the Senior Fellowship?
Indian citizens aged between 45 and 70 years with a Ph.D. and a strong publication record in social sciences.
Can a candidate currently holding another fellowship apply?
No, concurrent fellowships or research projects from other institutions are not allowed.
What are the educational qualifications required?
1. Ph.D. in any field of social sciences or allied disciplines is mandatory.
Is affiliation to an institution mandatory?
Yes, applicants must be affiliated with a UGC-recognized or ICSSR-recognized institution.
What are the educational qualifications required?
Ph.D. in any field of social sciences or allied disciplines is mandatory.
How can one apply for the Senior Fellowship?
Applications must be submitted online through the ICSSR website during the open call period.
Can I submit multiple applications under different ICSSR schemes?
Yes, but only one application under the Senior Fellowship scheme is allowed per call.
What documents are required at the time of application?
Ph.D. certificate, age proof, list of publications, formatted research proposal, plagiarism report, institutional affiliation letter and other essential documents mentioned in the call.
What language can the research proposal be submitted in?
Proposals can be submitted in either English or Hindi (using Unicode UTF-8 font).
Can I submit a hard copy of the application?
Only if explicitly required in the call; otherwise, submission is online only.

References

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Documents Required for Government Schemes

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How to Apply for Government Schemes?

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