ICSSR Senior Research Fellowship : Indian Council of Social Science Research

Organization : Indian Council of Social Science Research
Fellowship Name : Senior Research Fellowship

Website : https://www.icssr.org/fellowships

Senior Research Fellowship:
1.Senior Fellowships are awarded to established social science scholars for conducting research on specific themes and issues proposed by the applicants.

Related / Similar Fellowship : ICSSR SF 2020-21

These studies are expected to have the potential to contribute to theoretical and conceptual advancement in different disciplines, generate field-work based empirical work and new data, and are policy relevant. The studies could be both, macro or micro in nature.

The broad disciplines of study, within the domain of social sciences, are:
1. Economics/ Commerce/ Management
2. Sociology/ Social Work/Social Anthropology
3. Political Science/International Studies/Public Administration
4. Geography/Demography
5. Psychology/Education
6. Legal Studies
7. Gender/ Marginalized Groups/Human Rights
8. Philosophy
9. Media/ Mass Communication
10. Other Interdisciplinary areas in Social Sciences and areas of its interface with other disciplines of research.

1.2 Within the framework of social sciences, an effort is made to promote interdisciplinary studies. In regard to other major disciplines such as environment and agriculture science, etc., areas of interface between these disciplines and the social sciences are also covered under the Fellowships scheme.

1.3 Despite the fact that the award of Fellowships is — in general– application based and demand driven, the ICSSR may periodically indicate priority areas of research by announcing in its website and by advertising in major newspapers and journals.

1.4 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.
1.5 Scholars who are in regular teaching/reseach faculty positions in publicly funded insttutions may apply under Salary Protection Scheme (condition outlined in 5.2)

2. Eligibility for Award of Senior Fellowship:
2.1 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. There is no age bar for this category of fellowship.
2.2 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.
2.3 Priority consideration will be given to proposals forwarded by public-funded institutions.
2.4 Proposals from only those NGOs and private institutions shall be entertained and considered which have a declared mandate and established track record of engagement with Social Science Research, furthur subject to their fullfiling other eligibility criteria as laid down by the Council from time to time. All such applicants have to mandatorily fill up and submit Annexure V as enclosed with the application form.
2.5 While accepting any fellowships from the Council, a fellow should not accept 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.
2.6 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.
2.7 There shall be a reservation of 3% for differently abled applicants who may be provided additional resources as per their special requirements.
2.8 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.
2.9 Besides, a conscious effort shall be made to favourably consider while sanctioning grants to women, minorities and persons belonging to educationally backward districts as declared by Govt of India.

3. How to apply:
3.1 Applications are invited through advertisements in leading newspapers, Economic and Political Weekly and Association of Indian University (AIU) Newsletter and on the Website of the ICSSR in April and are received till 31st August.
3.2 All applications for Senior fellowship have to be made on the prescribed Application Form, as attached with these guidelines, along with all the Annexure and Enclosures
3.3 All application forms have to be submitted in soft copy either through e-mail <rfs@icssr.org> or online as the case may be. Subsequently, a hard copy of the application along with two hard copies of the proposal, duly forwarded on the prescribed format with signatures and seal of the Head of the Institution where the fellowship is to be financially administered, should be sent to: RFS Division, Indian Council of Social Science Research, Aruna Asaf Ali Marg, New Delhi 110067.
3.4 Incomplete applications and those not duly forwarded shall not be considered for fellowship.

4. Procedure for Award of Senior Fellowship :
4.1 All applications are initially short-listed by the ICSSR. The applications are thereafter evaluated by a committee of experts, set up by the ICSSR, for each social science discipline. The Committee may invite the scholars for interaction if necessary. The recommendations of the Expert Committee are placed before the Research Committee/Council for approval.

5. Conditions of the Fellowship:
5.1 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.
5.2 Salary protection may be availed in the case of scholars employed in the publically funded institution. A fellow is entitled to salary and allowances admissible at the parent institution. Also, the leave salary and pension contribution/ employer’s share of CPF contribution will be borne by the Council. The allowances and salary protected would not be more than the equivalent Central Govt./State Govt. and UGC scales / allowances.

5.3 In addition, a contingency grant of Rs. 40,000/- p.a. is admissible during the entire period of fellowship to a fellow, irrespective of whether a Fellow is employed or not.
5.4 The duration of fellowship is 2 years. It may be extended for up to six months to one year in special circumstances only for SC/ST/Differently Abled /women scholars and will depend on availability of funds.

5.5 The sanction of the fellowship is issued initially for one year effective from the date of joining. Each year’s grant is released in three installments amounting to 40%, 40% and 20%. The third installment is released only on receipt of the annual progress report and the duly audited Statement of Accounts. The same procedure is followed for the second year.
5.6 The last installment is released on receipt of the final report, a Summary of the report (2000 to 5000 words), and Audited Statement of Accounts and Utilization Certificate in the prescribed GFR-19-A format.