ICSSR Invites Applications for Grant-in-Aid

ICSSR Invites Applications for Grant-in-Aid 2026–2027-development Scheme for Social Science Organisations and Trusts

Details of the Grant-in-Aid Scheme

The Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR) has officially opened the application window for its Scheme of Grant-in-Aid for Professional Associations/Organisations of Social Scientists, Companies and Trusts for the financial year 2026–2027.

Eligible organizations, professional associations of social scientists, and registered companies/trusts looking to support their institutional development and academic outreach are encouraged to review the Guidelines and submit their proposals.

Key Dates & Deadlines

• Portal Opening Date: October 30, 2026
• Application Closing Date: November 20, 2026

Important Guidelines for Applicants

• Prescribed Format: Applications must strictly adhere to the designated format provided within the application portal. No separate or external proposal documents should be attached.
• Online Submission: All applications must be completed and submitted online through the ICSSR Applicant Login portal, following which hard copies are to be forwarded to the concerned division.
• Timely Filing: Applicants are advised to submit well before the deadline to prevent any last-minute technical bottlenecks.

1.General

• 1.1 The Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR) provides Grants-in-Aid for supporting professional associations/ organisations of social scientists Companies and Trusts duly registered under the Companies Act for their Development.
• 1.2 Professional associations/ organisations working on specific activities relating to the professional development of SC/ ST or research activities related to them would be given support under the SC/ ST category for this scheme.

Eligibility for Grant

• 2.1 In case, it’s a privately funded organisation, it should be registered under Societies of Registration Act, 1860.
• 2.2 It should have a nationwide membership of not less than 200.
• 2.3 The Associations/Organisations, Companies and Trusts duly registered under the companies Act should have been involved in national/regional/local socio-economic research objectives.
• 2.4 The Associations/ Organisations primarily engaged in extension/ social welfare work would not be considered as eligible for grant under this scheme.
• 2.5 The Associations/Organisations, Companies and Trusts duly registered under the companies Act should send its List of Members, Annual Audited Accounts and Annual Report for the last three years.

3.Conditions of the Grant

• 3.1 The amount of ad-hoc grant-in-aid shall ordinarily not exceed Rs. 8,00,000/- per annum.
• 3.2 The ICSSR may consider providing one time grant-in-aid to professional associations organisations of social scientists of repute (national importance) for their further development. The grant provided may be in addition to the ad-hoc grant-in-aid being already provided by the ICSSR.
• 3.3 The ICSSR may also consider providing grant-in-aid to professional associations /organisations of social scientists for any other innovative idea which may help social science community in general in their development.
• 3.4 The grant-in-aid in such cases i.e. for Item No. 3.2 and 3.3 and together should not exceed Rs. 8,00,000/- annually.
• 3.5 The grant sanctioned for supporting the association/ organisation should only be used for the following purposes:
• To incur expenditure for running of office i.e. electricity, rent, telephone and other related expenditure.
• Purchase of books/journals for library, postage, computer, furniture, office stationery etc.
• 3.6 The grant-in-aid shall be given on year to year basis for a period of not more than five years. However, proposals(s) approved by the ‘Advisory Committee of Experts’ beyond five years would be placed before the ‘Research Committee’ for further extension.
• 3.7 Ten percent (10%) of total grant-in-aid shall be paid as the last instalment at the end of he year after the Audited Statement of Accounts and Utilization Certificate in respect of the entire amount of the sanctioned grant are received.

4. Procedure of the Award

• 4.1 Each proposal for a grant will be evaluated by an ‘Advisory Committee’ of the Publication and Research Survey Division (PRS) of the ICSSR. The experts in the Committee are expected to examine the organisations/associations’ academic viability, objectives and its contribution towards social science etc.
• 4.2 The Advisory Committee’s recommendation is communicated to the Council for approval.

5. How to Apply

• 5.1 All applications for financial grant have to be made on the prescribed application form for Award of Grant-in-Aid for Supporting Professional Associations/ Organisations of Social Scientists for their Development as attached to these guidelines, along with all the following annexures and enclosures as required there under.:
• Annexure-1 Information about the Association/Organisation/Company/Trust duly registered under the Companies Act.
• Annexure-2 Audited Accounts of the Association/Organisation for the last two years.
• Annexure-3 Annual Reports of the Association/Organisation for the last two years.
• Annexure-4 Brief CV of the Head of the Institute/Organisation/Association.
• Annexure-5 Sources from which the funds of the Association/Organisation/Company/Trust (duly registered under the Companies Act) are met for the last two years.
• 5.2 The applicants need to submit an online application, a hard copy of the same duly forwarded by the affiliating institution along supporting documents, should be sent to: Publications and Research Survey Division (PRS), Indian Council of Social Science Research, Aruna Asaf Ali Marg, JNU Institutional Area, New Delhi- 110067.
• 5.3 Incomplete applications will not be considered for the grant.

Contacts

General & Programme Queries: Reach out via email at abpaliwal[at]icssr[dot]org

Technical Assistance: Contact the technical support desk at cc [at] icssr [dot] org