ICSSR International Collaboration Scheme 2026: Travel Grant & How to Apply
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Quick answer
The ICSSR International Collaboration scheme provides financial assistance to Indian social science researchers and faculty members invited to present papers at international conferences abroad. Eligible applicants can receive travel reimbursement covering airfare, visa fees, registration charges, and maintenance allowance. Applications must be submitted online at least three months before the conference date.
At a glance
| Main benefit | Travel assistance for presenting papers abroad |
| Ministry / department | Ministry of Education |
| Level | Central Government |
| Application mode | Online |
About the scheme
Administered by the Indian Council of Social Science Research under the Ministry of Education, this programme promotes academic ties between Indian social scientists and global peers. It offers researchers an opportunity to gain new insights, expand their research horizon, and disseminate knowledge in social science disciplines. The scheme supports regular faculty members as well as advanced PhD and postdoctoral scholars from recognised public institutions who have received an invitation to present their original papers overseas.
Benefits
- Airfare reimbursement as per actual expenditure
- Visa fee reimbursement as per actual expenditure
- Travel insurance coverage as per actual expenditure
- Conference registration fee support up to US$200
- Daily maintenance allowance as per Ministry of External Affairs notifications
- Full financial assistance for SC/ST faculties, Persons with Benchmark Disability, and Doctoral/Post-Doctoral scholars without pay protection
- Up to 50% financial assistance of total visit cost for regular faculty members
Who can apply (eligibility)
- The applicant must be a citizen of India
- Regular service faculty members must hold a PhD degree
- PhD and Post-Doctoral fellows in the advanced stage of their research are eligible
- Must be affiliated with public-funded Universities, Deemed Universities, Colleges, Institutes of National Importance, or ICSSR Research/Recognised Institutes
- Paper must belong to a broad discipline within the domain of social sciences
- Must have an invitation to contribute and present an accepted paper at an international conference abroad
- For co-authored papers, priority is given to the first author, and a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from co-authors is mandatory
- Application must be submitted at least three months prior to the conference date
Who cannot apply
- Applicants not meeting the defined educational or institutional criteria
- Scholars invited solely for poster presentations
- Scholars invited to chair a session or act as conveners/rapporteurs
- Scholars invited to attend workshops, training programmes, refresher courses, or summer/winter schools
Documents required
- List of documents as prescribed in the official call guidelines
- Official invitation letter from the conference organisers
- Accepted research paper
- No Objection Certificate (NOC) from co-authors (if applicable)
- Original boarding passes (for reimbursement claims)
- Attendance certificate from the conference (for reimbursement claims)
- Detailed statement of expenditure (for reimbursement claims)
- Brief report on the seminar, conference, or workshop proceedings (for reimbursement claims)
How to apply
- 1Visit the official ICSSR website at icssr.org and navigate to the International Collaboration section.
- 2Click on the scheme link for Participation in International Conference Abroad.
- 3Register for a new account or log in to the official ICSSR portal.
- 4Complete the online application form with the required research and conference details.
- 5Upload the necessary supporting documents and submit your application at least three months before the event.
Frequently asked questions
Who is eligible for the ICSSR travel grant?+
Indian regular faculty with a PhD and advanced PhD or Post-Doctoral scholars in social sciences from recognised public-funded institutions are eligible.
How much financial support is provided under this scheme?+
Regular faculties receive up to 50% of the total visit cost, while SC/ST faculty, Persons with Benchmark Disability, and PhD/PDF scholars without pay protection can get full support covering airfare, visa fee, insurance, MEA maintenance rates, and registration up to US$200.
Can I apply if I am invited for a poster presentation?+
No, scholars invited only for poster presentations, chairing sessions, or attending workshops are not eligible.
When should I submit the application?+
The application must be submitted online at least three months before the scheduled date of the conference or seminar.
How is the grant money disbursed?+
Expenses are reimbursed after the visit upon submitting original boarding passes, an attendance certificate, a statement of expenditure, and a brief conference report.
NaukriZila is not a government website. Apply only on the official portal; never pay anyone to apply for a government scheme. Source: myScheme (Government of India)