Research Study/Seminar (Grant-in-Aid Scheme)

“Research Study/Seminar (Grant-in-Aid Scheme)” has been launched by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MOSPI), Government of India. The scheme aims to promote Research Studies and Seminars in official statistics by way of providing financial assistance and data support under the Grant-in-Aid component of the Scheme Capacity Development. The scheme is implemented by the Central Statistics Office (CSO), Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation, Government of India. The applications for this scheme are accepted by submission to the Additional Director General, Training Division, Central Statistical Organisation.

Financial Assistance

• Financial assistance for Research Studies/Surveys would be up to a maximum of ₹50,00,000/-.
• In exceptional cases, the limit for Research Studies/Surveys could be enhanced up to ₹1,00,00,000/- with the approval of the Secretary, Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI).
• The quantum of financial assistance for National Seminars/Workshops/Conferences will be maximum ₹10,00,000/-.
• The quantum of financial assistance for International Seminars/Workshops/Conferences will be maximum ₹20,00,000/-.
• Financial assistance is provided towards the travel cost and related expenditures for presentation of accepted research papers in Theoretical/Applied Statistics in International Conferences/Seminars/Workshops, etc., held outside India. Such assistance includes airfare, registration fee, airport tax, visa fee, and per diem, as per the Government rules in force.

Conditions

• Research Studies/Surveys: The assistance will be released in three installments in the proportion of 40:40:20.
• Seminars/Workshops/Conferences: The amount will be released in two installments: the First installment of 50% before/during the Seminars/Workshops/Conferences after approval, and the remaining 50% based on actual expenditure as reimbursement.
• Travel Grants Assistance: The return air ticket (to and from) of a national carrier, i.e., Air India, will be provided by the shortest air route for the economy class. Financial assistance towards travel cost will cover all expenditures on travel between the place of work or place of residence and the airport in India, and between the airport abroad and the venue of the conference.

*Release of assistance is linked to specific milestones to be achieved as per the time schedule indicated in the proposal and is aligned to the duration of the project.

For Professional/Research Institutions/Organizations (Grant-in-Aid for Research Studies/Seminars)

• The applicant must be a professional/research institution/organization.
• The applicant must be engaged in the field of official statistics for a minimum period of three (3) years.
• The applicant must possess qualified statisticians, economists, and social scientists.
• The applicant must fall into one of the following categories:

a) Government institutions including Directorates of Economics and Statistics of States/Union Territories.
b) Institutions/organizations receiving annual recurring grants from the Central or State Government Agencies including Indian Statistical Institute, Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), University Grants Commission (UGC), etc..
c) Institutions/organizations registered as a society under the Societies Registration Act.
d) Institutions/organizations registered as 'Trusts' under Trusteeship Act.
e) Institutions/organizations incorporated under the Companies Act.

• The applicant institution/organization shall be "not-for-profit" to be eligible for assistance under the Scheme for National and International Seminars/Conferences/Workshops etc. on official statistics.

For Officials (Travel Grants Assistance - TGA)

• The applicant must be an official of the Central Government/Central autonomous institutions/university.
• The applicant's visit must relate to the area of work of the officer.
• The applicant's technical paper should have been submitted through proper official channel in such event and not out of the officer's own volition.
• The applicant must have an official invitation from the host organization to the administrative Ministry/Department/Organization.
• The applicant must have appropriate documentary evidence of acceptance of the paper for presentation by the agencies organizing the international statistical conferences/seminar/workshop, etc..
• The applicant must have obtained all necessary clearances, including political clearance from the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), and Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) clearance from the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) (wherever required).
• The applicant must not have had more than one proposal recommended for travel grants during the financial year for presenting their paper abroad.

• The applicant will not receive financial assistance for proposals relating to pure theoretical research in statistics.
• The applicant will not receive financial assistance for proposals for holding annual meetings of statistical associations/societies.
• The applicant must know that financial assistance is not available for incurring any capital expenditure.
• The applicant must know that the salary of the Project Director/Experts, if he or she is working as a regular employee of the institute, would not be charged from the project cost during the project period.

Online

Step 1: Application Preparation and Proposal Formatting

• The applicant institution/organization seeking financial assistance should take print of the prescribed format.- For research studies, the proposal must contain four distinct parts: a forwarding letter, a profile of the institution (not exceeding two pages), technical details, and financial details.

*The technical details must be furnished concisely, completely, and logically, detailing the objectives, methodology, specific outputs envisaged, and likely potential and value addition to official statistics.

Step 2: Submission of Application and Supporting Documents

• The proposal should be submitted to the Additional Director General, Training Division, Central Statistical Organisation (CSO), Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI).
• The applications can be sent via email to training-mospi@nic.in (for studies) or training-mospi@gov.in (for Travel Grants Assistance).

Application Deadlines

• For Seminars/Conferences, the proposal must be submitted at least six months in advance from the date of the event.
• For Travel Grants Assistance, the application should reach the Ministry at least six months before the proposed event for consideration.