Indian Council of Social Science Research is pleased to offer two types of fellowships (senior fellowship and postdoctoral fellowships) in the field of social science disciplines or may be of interdisciplinary in nature. Fellowships are available for Indian social scientists for conducting research.

Senior Fellowships are aimed at providing opportunities to outstanding social scientists to engage themselves in full-time research on important themes of their choice or to write books based on their research whereas The postdoctoral fellowships are aimed at assisting young scholars who have the potential and competence for full-time research work on their approved research themes.

Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR) was established in the year of 1969 by the Government of India to promote research in social sciences in the country. The Council was meant to: Review the progress of social science research and give advice to its users; Sponsor social science research programmes and projects and administer grants to institutions and individuals for research in social sciences; Institute and administer scholarships and fellowships for research in social sciences.

Course Level: Two types of fellowships are available i.e. senior fellowship as well as Postdoctoral Fellowships. 

Study Subject: The proposals should be in the field of social science disciplines or may be of interdisciplinary in nature.

Scholarship Award: The fellowships awards the following amount to the fellows: 
Senior Fellowship: The amount of Fellowship is Rs.40, 000/- p.m. for those not currently employed and for superannuated scholars. Pension, if any, shall not be deducted from the fellowship.

Postdoctoral Fellowship: The amount of Fellowship is Rs.28, 000/- p.m. (consolidated) for those not currently employed. In addition, a contingency grant of Rs.20, 000/- p.a. is admissible during the entire period of fellowship to a fellow, irrespective of whether a Fellow is employed or not.

Scholarship can be taken in India

Eligibility: The following criteria must be met in order for applicants to be eligible for these fellowships:

Eligibility for Award of Senior Fellowship

• Senior Fellowships are awarded to social scientists with outstanding research publications. Social workers, journalists and civil servants, known for their academic interests with a record of publications may also be considered. Candidate should not be more than 68 at the time of submitting the application.
• Scholars who are in regular teaching/research faculty positions in publicly funded University or research institutions or ICSSR funded/recognised institutions may apply under the salary protection scheme (see 5.2).
• At least 80% of the Senior Fellowships will be awarded to scholars under the salary protection scheme.
• The selected fellows are expected to do full-time research in India. They could, however, undertake field trip outside India if the Expert Committee finds it to be necessary for their research. In such cases, ICSSR may reimburse travel expenses directly to the scholar as per Council rules.
• While accepting any fellowships from the Council, a fellow should not accept the fellowship from any other organization. A fellow would not be eligible for another fellowship from the Council for five years from the date of termination of fellowship.
• Defaulters of any previous grant of ICSSR under any scheme will not be eligible for consideration until the applicant has obtained the clearance of the relevant administrative division of the ICSSR.
• Besides, a conscious effort shall be made to favourably consider while sanctioning grants to women, minorities, differently abled persons and persons belonging to educationally backward districts as declared by Govt of India.

Eligibility for Award of Postdoctoral Fellowship

• Post-Doctoral Fellowships are awarded to scholars, below the age of 45 years, who have shown significant promise and potential for research. There shall be a relaxation of 5 years in the age limit for SC/ST candidates. They should have been awarded their doctoral degree at the time of their application.
• Scholars who are in regular teaching/research faculty positions in publicly funded University or research institutions or ICSSR funded/recognised institutions may apply under the salary protection scheme
• Not more than 20 % of the post-doctoral fellowships shall be awarded to in-
  service scholars.
• Candidates will be required to be affiliated with public funded university or
  academic/research institution, ICSSR funded/recognized institution.
• The selected fellow has to work under the guidance of a senior social scientist (not below the level of an Associate Professor). The supervisor should not be superannuated and should be in employment at the affiliating institution. The research proposal of the fellow is subject to the approval of the Council.
• The selected fellows are expected to do full-time research in India. They could, however, undertake field trip outside India if the Expert Committee finds it to be necessary for their research. In such cases, ICSSR may reimburse travel expenses directly to the scholar as per Council rules.
• While accepting any fellowships from the Council, a fellow should not accept a fellowship from any other organization. A fellow would not be eligible for another fellowship from the Council for five years from the date of termination of fellowship.
• Defaulters of any previous grant of ICSSR under any scheme will not be eligible for consideration until the applicant has obtained the clearance of the relevant administrative division of the ICSSR.
• Separate allocation under this scheme shall be made for the SC/ST candidates as per allocations made in the ICSSR plan under SCP/TSP Grant.
• Besides, a conscious effort shall be made to favourably consider while sanctioning grants to women, minorities, differently abled persons and persons belonging to educationally backward districts as declared by Govt. of India.

Nationality: Indian social scientists are eligible to apply for these fellowships.

College Admission Requirement

Entrance Requirements: Seniors fellowships are awarded to the candidate who should not be more than 68 at the time of submitting the application and postdoctoral fellowships are awarded to scholars, below the age of 45 years, who have shown significant promise and potential for research.

Postdoctoral Scholarships

Supporting Material: All applications for Senior fellowship have to be made on the prescribed Application Form, as attached with these guidelines, along with all the following Annexure and Enclosures

• Abstract of the Proposal on the Prescribed Format.
• Brief Academic CV of applicant, along with two passport size photos
• Two copies of Summary of Research Proposal in about 750 words
• Two copies of Detailed Research proposal in about 3000 words [Please use the guidelines for research proposals provided in this document.
• Institutional Profile of the forwarding institution.
• Salary certificate and no-objection from the employer, if applying under salary protection scheme
• Forwarding letters from the affiliating institution
• Duly attested SC/ST certificate, if applicable.

All applications for Post-Doctoral fellowship have to be made on the prescribed Application Form, as attached with these guidelines, along with all the following annexures and enclosures

• Abstract of the Proposal on the Prescribed Format.
• Brief Academic CV of applicant, along with two passport size photos
• Two copies of Summary of Research Proposal in about 750 words
• Two copies of Detailed Research Proposal in about 3000 words [Please use the Guidelines for Research Proposal provided in this document.
• Institutional Profile of the forwarding institution.
• Salary certificate and no-objection from the employer, if applying under salary protection scheme
• Forwarding letters from the affiliating institution
• Consent letter from the supervisor and his/her brief bio-data
• Duly attested SC/ST certificate, if applicable.

How to Apply: All application forms have to be submitted in soft copy either through e-mail <rfsdivisionicssr-at-gmail.com> or online as the case may be before 30th June each year.

Senior Fellowship Application Form

Postdoctoral Fellowship Application Form

Application Deadline: The last date for receipt of applications is 31 July 2016 to be addressed to the Incharge, RFS Division, ICSSR.

Scholarship Link