RESEARCH JOURNAL GRANT

Scheme of Grant-in-Aid for Professional Associations/ Organisations of Social Scientists including Universities, Colleges and Research Institutes for Publication/ Running of their Research Journal(s)

6.9/10

The Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR), under the Ministry of Education, Government of India, provides Grants-in-Aid to professional associations, organisations of social scientists, universities, colleges, and research institutes

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 Grants, Journal Publication Support, Research Promotion, Academic Journals, Research Funding

Details

Journals supported under this scheme must be at least three years old with consistent publication records. The publisher may be a university, college, research institute, or professional association registered under the Societies Registration Act, 1860. The organisation and the journal may be discipline-specific or interdisciplinary. The maximum annual grant is Rs. 5,00,000 for one journal and Rs. 8,00,000 for multiple journals. Where journals are published commercially, financial support is limited to editorial/processing costs (up to Rs. 1,00,000 per journal). Additional funding may be considered for special issues or back volumes. The final 10% of the grant is released after submission of the Audited Statement of Accounts and Utilization Certificate.

Benefits

  • 1) Grant up to Rs. 5 00 000 per annum per journal. 2) Up to Rs. 8 00 000 for multiple journals by a single organisation. 3) Rs. 1 00 000 support for journals with commercial publishers (editorial cost only)with a ceiling of Rs. 2 00 000 if the organisation publishes more than one journal. 4) Additional support for publishing back issues or special issues. 5) Amount is disbursed in two instalments first installment is 90% and second will be 10%
  • which will be released after submitting Audited Statement of Accounts and Utilisation Certificate
  1. Grant up to Rs. 5,00,000 per annum per journal.
  2. Up to Rs. 8,00,000 for multiple journals by a single organisation.
  3. Rs. 1,00,000 support for journals with commercial publishers (editorial cost only)with a ceiling of Rs. 2,00,000 if the organisation publishes more than one journal.
  4. Additional support for publishing back issues or special issues.
  5. Amount is disbursed in two instalments, first installment is 90% and second will be 10%, which will be released after submitting Audited Statement of Accounts and Utilisation Certificate

Eligibility

  1. Must be a university, college, research institute, or registered association.
  2. Journals must follow professional publishing standards (peer review, citations, etc.).
  3. In case it's a privately funded institution or association of social scientists, it should be registered under Societies of Registration Act, 1860.
  4. Must submit audited accounts and annual reports for the last three years.
  5. SC/ST category journals must focus on SC/ST-related research themes.
  6. Grant-in-Aid may be provided to journals being published in regional languages and translation thereof.

Exclusions

  1. Journals without consistent periodicity.

How useful is this scheme?

Public benefit analysis

A practical look at this scheme for citizens

AI-generated insights showing how useful, accessible, and practical this scheme may be — combining deterministic scoring rules with a public-policy LLM analyst.

6.9
/ 10
Public Benefit Score
Accessibility 7.0/10 Good
Rural usefulness 5.0/10 Moderate
Application complexity 6.0/10 Moderate
Financial impact 9.5/10 Good
Literacy barrier 7.0/10 Challenging
Women inclusivity 6.0/10 Moderate
Awareness 7.5/10 Good
Implementation reliability 8.0/10 Good
Bigger shape means a better fit for citizens
  • Accessibility7.0
  • Financial impact9.5
  • Rural utility5.0
  • Awareness7.5
  • Simplicity4.0
  • Inclusivity6.0

What problem does this scheme solve?

The scheme provides essential funding for established academic journals, promoting research and publication in social sciences.

Key challenges addressed

  • Supports the publication of academic research
  • Enhances the quality and accessibility of social science journals

Most beneficial for

  • Universities
  • Colleges
  • Research Institutes
  • Professional Associations

Likely challenges

  • Strict eligibility criteria
  • Need for consistent publication history

Practical insights for citizens

Practical for established institutions but challenging for new or smaller entities

Rural challenges

  • Limited access to online resources
  • Potential lack of awareness among rural institutions

Digital challenges

  • Dependence on internet access for application
  • Need for digital literacy to navigate online processes

Implementation bottlenecks

  • Verification of eligibility may delay processing
  • Strict adherence to publication standards

Awareness challenges

  • Limited outreach to rural and semi-literate populations
  • Need for more information dissemination

Application analysis

Application mode
Online + CSC assisted
Documents burden
Moderate, requires multiple documents including audited accounts
Verification complexity
Moderate, involves eligibility checks and expert review
Office dependency
Low, primarily online process
DBT dependency
No
CSC support
Yes, can assist with online applications
Estimated citizen effort
Moderate, requires preparation of documents and online submission

Estimated beneficiary reach

  • Rural / urban reach Moderate
  • Gender reach Moderate

Benefit analysis

Benefit type
Cash
Benefit frequency
Annual
Benefit practicality
High, as it supports essential operational costs for journals
Financial meaningfulness
High, with grants up to ₹8,00,000 for multiple journals
Long-term impact
Positive, as it encourages sustained research output and academic discourse

Plain-language guidance

This scheme provides financial support for established academic journals in social sciences. Eligible institutions can apply for grants to help with publication costs.

Who should apply
Universities, colleges, and research institutes with established journals.
Who may struggle
Newly established journals and those without a consistent publication record.
Best application route
Apply via the online portal or seek assistance from a local CSC.

This intelligence section is generated by an AI policy analyst combined with rule-based scoring. Scores and narrative are estimates derived from the publicly available scheme information shown on this page; actual experience may vary by state, district, and department. Always confirm details on the official portal before you apply.

Application Process

Online


S. No StepActionDocuments Required1.Advertisement & Receipt of ApplicationsPRS Division publishes advertisements or accepts applications throughout the year.1. Application Form, 2. Organisation Profile2.Preliminary Scrutiny by PRS DivisionVerification of eligibility and completeness.1. Three Years’ Audited Accounts & Annual Reports, 2. Proof of Journal Regularity, 3. (3+ years) Registration Certificate (if association), 4. Peer Review Statement3.Proposal to Member SecretaryPRS Division seeks approval to hold an Expert Committee Meeting.Summary of Eligible Applications4.Expert Committee Meeting for EvaluationCommittee reviews and recommends applications.All documents submitted with the application5.Approval of RecommendationsMinutes approved by Member Secretary and ICSSR Council.Minutes of Expert Committee Meeting

6.Communication to ApplicantsAward letters issued to selected applicants. Request for GIB and PFMS details.1. Award Letter, 2. Grant-in-Aid Bill (GIB), 3. PFMS Details7.Sanction Order – First InstallmentPRS prepares sanctions; sends them to Audit and Finance for release.1. Sanction Order, 2. GIB, 3. Bank Details, 4. Approval Note8.Submission of Utilisation ReportsExpenditure documents to be submitted for the 2nd installment.1. Updated GIB, 2. Audited Statement of Accounts, 3. Utilisation Certificate (UC)

9.Sanction Order – Second InstallmentPRS processes the second installment; sends to Audit and Finance.1. Sanction Order, 2. Final UC & Audit Report


Clarifications

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

What is the maximum annual grant per journal?

Rs. 5,00,000

Can organisations publishing more than one journal apply?

Yes, up to Rs. 8,00,000 may be sanctioned.

Are commercial publications eligible?

Yes, but only editorial costs (up to Rs. 1,00,000 per journal with a ceiling of Rs. 2,00,000 if the organisation publishes more than one journal).

Can special or back issues be funded?

Yes, separate grants may be considered.

Is funding available for regional language journals?

Yes, and translation support is also considered.

Who are the members of the expert committee?

The details and identities of members are kept confidential due to privacy concerns.

Can a newly established journal apply?

No, the journal must be at least 3 years old.

Can journals without peer review process apply?

No, peer review is mandatory.

Can an organisation not registered under the Companies Act, 1860 apply for the grant?

No.

Can journals of science or any other subject area apply for the grant?

The journals of inter-disciplinary nature may apply for the grant.

Is the application online?

both ways.

Where to send the application?

ICSSR, Aruna Asaf Ali Marg, New Delhi - 110067.

When is the last date to apply?

Applications are open throughout the year.

What if documents are incomplete?

Incomplete applications will be rejected.

Is it mandatory to have the Head of Institution’s signature?

Yes.

References

Journal Grants (Publication)
https://icssr.org/journals

Apply

Apply now

Opens the official application or programme portal in a new tab. If in doubt, confirm details on the ministry site.

Frequently asked questions

What is the purpose of Scheme of Grant-in-Aid for Professional Associations/ Organisations of Social Scientists including Universities, Colleges and Research Institutes for Publication/ Running of their Research Journal(s)?
Scheme of Grant-in-Aid for Professional Associations/ Organisations of Social Scientists including Universities, Colleges and Research Institutes for Publication/ Running of their Research Journal(s) is a government welfare initiative designed to support Individual, Individual through benefits related to Education & Learning, financial assistance, subsidies, social welfare, healthcare, education, or livelihood support.
Who can apply for Scheme of Grant-in-Aid for Professional Associations/ Organisations of Social Scientists including Universities, Colleges and Research Institutes for Publication/ Running of their Research Journal(s)?
Eligibility for Scheme of Grant-in-Aid for Professional Associations/ Organisations of Social Scientists including Universities, Colleges and Research Institutes for Publication/ Running of their Research Journal(s) may depend on factors such as income category, age, gender, occupation, state of residence, social category, and government-defined beneficiary criteria.
What benefits are offered under Scheme of Grant-in-Aid for Professional Associations/ Organisations of Social Scientists including Universities, Colleges and Research Institutes for Publication/ Running of their Research Journal(s)?
Benefits under Scheme of Grant-in-Aid for Professional Associations/ Organisations of Social Scientists including Universities, Colleges and Research Institutes for Publication/ Running of their Research Journal(s) may include financial assistance, subsidies, scholarships, insurance support, healthcare benefits, pension support, training assistance, or welfare services depending on the scheme guidelines.
Which department manages Scheme of Grant-in-Aid for Professional Associations/ Organisations of Social Scientists including Universities, Colleges and Research Institutes for Publication/ Running of their Research Journal(s)?
Scheme of Grant-in-Aid for Professional Associations/ Organisations of Social Scientists including Universities, Colleges and Research Institutes for Publication/ Running of their Research Journal(s) is managed by Department Of Higher Education and may be implemented through district offices, online portals, CSC centres, banks, or authorised government agencies.
Can users apply online for Scheme of Grant-in-Aid for Professional Associations/ Organisations of Social Scientists including Universities, Colleges and Research Institutes for Publication/ Running of their Research Journal(s)?
Yes, eligible applicants may be able to apply online for Scheme of Grant-in-Aid for Professional Associations/ Organisations of Social Scientists including Universities, Colleges and Research Institutes for Publication/ Running of their Research Journal(s) through official government portals, authorised service centres, or digital application systems depending on the implementation process.
Is Aadhaar mandatory for Scheme of Grant-in-Aid for Professional Associations/ Organisations of Social Scientists including Universities, Colleges and Research Institutes for Publication/ Running of their Research Journal(s)?
Many government schemes may require Aadhaar verification, identity proof, or linked bank account details for beneficiary validation and direct benefit transfer processing.
Where can users apply for Scheme of Grant-in-Aid for Professional Associations/ Organisations of Social Scientists including Universities, Colleges and Research Institutes for Publication/ Running of their Research Journal(s)?
Applications for Scheme of Grant-in-Aid for Professional Associations/ Organisations of Social Scientists including Universities, Colleges and Research Institutes for Publication/ Running of their Research Journal(s) may be submitted through government departments, official scheme portals, CSC centres, district offices, welfare departments, or authorised service centres.
What documents may be required for Scheme of Grant-in-Aid for Professional Associations/ Organisations of Social Scientists including Universities, Colleges and Research Institutes for Publication/ Running of their Research Journal(s)?
Applicants may need Aadhaar card, income certificate, residence proof, bank account details, caste certificate, photographs, educational records, or occupation-related documents depending on scheme eligibility requirements.
Is income certificate required for Scheme of Grant-in-Aid for Professional Associations/ Organisations of Social Scientists including Universities, Colleges and Research Institutes for Publication/ Running of their Research Journal(s)?
Income certificate requirements may vary depending on beneficiary category, subsidy eligibility, and financial assistance criteria defined under Scheme of Grant-in-Aid for Professional Associations/ Organisations of Social Scientists including Universities, Colleges and Research Institutes for Publication/ Running of their Research Journal(s).
Is Scheme of Grant-in-Aid for Professional Associations/ Organisations of Social Scientists including Universities, Colleges and Research Institutes for Publication/ Running of their Research Journal(s) a central government scheme?
Yes, Scheme of Grant-in-Aid for Professional Associations/ Organisations of Social Scientists including Universities, Colleges and Research Institutes for Publication/ Running of their Research Journal(s) is a central government welfare initiative that may be implemented across multiple states through authorised departments and agencies.
Can students apply for Scheme of Grant-in-Aid for Professional Associations/ Organisations of Social Scientists including Universities, Colleges and Research Institutes for Publication/ Running of their Research Journal(s)?
Eligible students studying in recognised institutions may apply for Scheme of Grant-in-Aid for Professional Associations/ Organisations of Social Scientists including Universities, Colleges and Research Institutes for Publication/ Running of their Research Journal(s) depending on educational qualification, category, income limit, and academic eligibility.
Is scholarship amount provided under Scheme of Grant-in-Aid for Professional Associations/ Organisations of Social Scientists including Universities, Colleges and Research Institutes for Publication/ Running of their Research Journal(s)?
Scheme of Grant-in-Aid for Professional Associations/ Organisations of Social Scientists including Universities, Colleges and Research Institutes for Publication/ Running of their Research Journal(s) may provide scholarship assistance, tuition support, educational reimbursement, or financial aid for eligible students.
Can CSC centres help users apply for Scheme of Grant-in-Aid for Professional Associations/ Organisations of Social Scientists including Universities, Colleges and Research Institutes for Publication/ Running of their Research Journal(s)?
Many government schemes may be accessible through nearby CSC centres, authorised digital service centres, or welfare facilitation offices.
How can users check the latest updates for Scheme of Grant-in-Aid for Professional Associations/ Organisations of Social Scientists including Universities, Colleges and Research Institutes for Publication/ Running of their Research Journal(s)?
Users should verify official notifications, department announcements, application deadlines, and eligibility updates through authorised government portals or implementing agencies.
Can beneficiaries track application status for Scheme of Grant-in-Aid for Professional Associations/ Organisations of Social Scientists including Universities, Colleges and Research Institutes for Publication/ Running of their Research Journal(s)?
Certain schemes may provide online application tracking, beneficiary verification systems, or status-check facilities through official portals.
Where can users get help for Scheme of Grant-in-Aid for Professional Associations/ Organisations of Social Scientists including Universities, Colleges and Research Institutes for Publication/ Running of their Research Journal(s) in All India?
Users in All India may seek assistance through CSC centres, district welfare offices, government departments, agriculture offices, social welfare departments, or authorised facilitation centres.
Which nearby public services may help with Scheme of Grant-in-Aid for Professional Associations/ Organisations of Social Scientists including Universities, Colleges and Research Institutes for Publication/ Running of their Research Journal(s) applications?
Depending on the scheme, users may require support from Aadhaar centres, CSC centres, banks, hospitals, post offices, or government welfare offices for document verification and application assistance.