The Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR) is offering Major and Minor Research Projects to eligible researchers working in social and human sciences. The programme supports research designed to generate evidence-based solutions to current and future challenges and contribute to national development.
According to the official ICSSR guidelines, eligible researchers can apply for either a Minor Research Project worth Rs.15 lakh for 12 months or a Major Research Project worth Rs.30 lakh for 24 months.
Official ICSSR Research Projects page
About the ICSSR Research Projects
The Indian Council of Social Science Research promotes, sponsors and coordinates research across different areas of the social and human sciences.
Through its Major and Minor Research Projects programme, ICSSR provides funding to researchers whose studies can contribute to national development through evidence-based research and solutions.
The programme is intended primarily for researchers based at eligible Indian universities, colleges, research institutes and institutions of national importance.
ICSSR Research Grant Amount
The programme provides two levels of research funding:
| Research Project | Duration | Grant |
|---|---|---|
| Minor Research Project | 12 months | Rs.15 lakh |
| Major Research Project | 24 months | Rs.30 lakh |
This makes the Major Research Project particularly significant for researchers seeking substantial funding for longer-term social science research.
Eligibility Criteria
The official guidelines establish several eligibility routes.
Permanent or Retired Faculty
Researchers who are permanently employed or retired faculty members from eligible institutions may apply.
These include:
- UGC-recognized Indian universities
- Deemed universities
- Affiliated colleges and institutions under Sections 2(f) or 12(B)
- ICSSR research institutes
- ICSSR-recognized institutes
- Institutions of National Importance as defined by the Ministry of Education
The Project Director and Co-Project Director must hold a PhD degree.
Independent Researchers
In exceptional circumstances, independent researchers with PhDs who are not permanently affiliated with the institutions listed above may be considered as Co-Project Directors.
The guidelines require such researchers to have produced either:
- At least two sole-author books published by reputed publishers; and/or
- Five articles in peer-reviewed journals
They must also collaborate with faculty from an institution that meets the eligibility requirements.
Contractual Researchers
Researchers with PhDs who hold contractual appointments at eligible academic or research institutions may also apply as Co-Project Directors if they meet the specified publication requirements.
The guidelines state that if their contract expires, they may continue as Co-Project Directors until the research project is completed.
Senior and Retired Government or Defence Officers
Senior and retired government and defence officers may also be eligible to participate as Co-Project Directors.
They must have:
- At least five years of regular service
- A PhD in a social science discipline
- At least two sole-author books and/or five peer-reviewed journal articles
They must collaborate with eligible faculty from an institution covered by the guidelines.
Other Research Participants
Non-academic participants, stakeholders and local community members can also participate in the research team as Key Informants.
Research Areas
The ICSSR programme covers research within the broader social and human sciences.
Researchers are expected to develop projects capable of contributing evidence and knowledge that can help address present and future challenges.
The official page does not provide a single exhaustive list of research topics on the page provided, so applicants should consult the current 2025–26 guidelines for the detailed requirements and applicable research framework.
Download the ICSSR 2025–26 Guidelines
How the Application Process Works
ICSSR states that applications are invited through open advertisements published on its website and social media platforms.
The selection process includes evaluation and interaction or presentation of applications before panels of subject experts.
This means applicants should prepare a strong research proposal capable of clearly explaining the research problem, methodology, expected outcomes and relevance of the proposed study.
Grant Release and Project Administration
The awarded grant is released to the affiliating institution in instalments according to the Award Letter.
Before the first instalment is released, the Project Director must complete the required joining documentation. This includes documents such as the required undertaking and declaration, Grant-in-Aid bill and, where applicable, the PFMS Registration Mandate Form.
The guidelines also state that overhead charges for the affiliating institution are released after acceptance of the final report and submission of the required audited Statement of Accounts and Utilisation Certificate.
Monitoring of Funded Research
Funded research projects are subject to monitoring.
Project Directors must submit periodic progress reports in the prescribed format.
ICSSR may discontinue or terminate a project if progress is considered unsatisfactory or if ICSSR rules are violated.
Researchers are also responsible for ensuring that expenditure remains within the approved budget heads and applicable rules.
Research Outputs
Researchers must acknowledge ICSSR support in publications resulting from the funded research.
This includes outputs such as:
- Research papers
- Journal articles
- Articles in edited books
A copy of relevant publications must also be submitted to ICSSR during or after completion of the project.
The final research report is subject to expert evaluation before the final instalment is considered for release.
Research Report and Copyright
The copyright of the manuscript of the final report rests with ICSSR.
ICSSR reserves the right to publish a funded research report where it has been recommended for publication by appointed experts.
Researchers who wish to publish the work themselves must obtain permission from ICSSR.
What Can the Contingency Grant Support?
The guidelines state that the contingency grant may be used for research-related expenses such as:
- Stationery
- Computer typing-related costs
- Specialized assistance
- Data analysis
- Consultation related to field trips
These expenses must be connected to the approved research work.
Important Financial Responsibilities
Project Directors are personally responsible for ensuring that projects are completed on time and that funds are used for the purposes for which they were sanctioned.
The guidelines state that failure to properly utilize the grant or submit the required audited expenditure documentation can result in repayment of the grant with 10% annual interest.
Therefore, researchers should carefully follow ICSSR’s financial and reporting requirements throughout the project.
How to Apply
Applicants should monitor the ICSSR website and official announcements for the applicable application window.
Before submitting an application, researchers should carefully review the current guidelines and required formats.
Applicants should also ensure that they satisfy the relevant eligibility requirements before preparing and submitting a research proposal.
Final Thoughts
The ICSSR Major and Minor Research Projects provide significant research funding for eligible social and human science researchers in India.
With funding of Rs.15 lakh for Minor Projects and Rs.30 lakh for Major Projects, the programme can support substantial research activities over periods of 12 and 24 months, respectively.
Researchers interested in applying should carefully study the official 2025–26 ICSSR guidelines, confirm their institutional and academic eligibility, and prepare their proposals according to the prescribed requirements.
Note: The information above is based on the ICSSR programme information supplied in your source. The page does not state a specific application deadline, so a deadline should not be added unless it appears in the relevant ICSSR call for applications.
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