ICSSR Research Journal Grant 2026: Up to ₹5 Lakh Grant, Eligibility & How to Apply

At a glance

About the scheme

Administered under the Ministry of Education by the Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR), the Research Journal Grant aims to sustain and promote high-quality academic publishing in social sciences. The scheme assists universities, colleges, research institutes, and registered professional associations with annual operational grants. It also supports editorial costs for commercially published journals, back volumes, and regional language translations, ensuring that rigorous research remains accessible to the academic community.

Benefits

• Annual grant of up to ₹5,00,000 for a single research journal.
• Combined annual grant of up to ₹8,00,000 for organisations publishing multiple journals.
• Support of up to ₹1,00,000 per journal (capped at ₹2,00,000 for multiple) covering editorial and processing costs for commercially published journals.
• Additional financial assistance available for publishing back issues or special issues.
• Disbursement in two instalments: 90% released initially and 10% after submission of the Audited Statement of Accounts and Utilisation Certificate.

Who can apply (eligibility)

• Must be a recognised university, college, research institute, or professional association of social scientists.
• Privately funded institutions or associations must be registered under the Societies Registration Act, 1860.
• The journal must have been published consistently for a minimum of three years.
• The journal must follow professional academic publishing standards, including formal peer review and citations.
• The applicant organisation must submit audited accounts and annual reports for the previous three years.
• Journals published in regional languages and their translations are eligible to apply.
• Journals applying under the SC/ST category must specifically focus on SC/ST-related research themes.

Who cannot apply

• Journals without consistent periodicity or regular publication schedules.
• Newly started journals that are less than three years old.
• Journals that do not follow a peer review process.
• Private associations or institutions not registered under the Societies Registration Act, 1860.

Documents required

• Completed application form bearing the signature of the Head of the Institution
• Comprehensive organisation profile
• Audited accounts and annual reports of the organisation for the last three years
• Proof of regular publication of the journal for the last three years
• Registration certificate under the Societies Registration Act, 1860 (for associations)
• Peer review process statement and publication guidelines
• Grant-in-Aid Bill (GIB) and PFMS bank details
• Audited Statement of Accounts and Utilisation Certificate (for second instalment)

How to apply

1. 1Download or access the official application format from the ICSSR portal or PRS Division notice.
2. 2Prepare the proposal along with the organisation profile, three-year audited accounts, and peer review statements signed by the Head of the Institution.
3. 3Submit the completed application dossier online or send the hard copy to ICSSR, Aruna Asaf Ali Marg, New Delhi - 110067.
4. 4Await verification by the PRS Division and review by the Expert Committee.
5. 5Upon approval, submit the PFMS details and Grant-in-Aid Bill to receive the 90% first instalment.
6. 6Complete publication obligations and submit the Audited Statement of Accounts and Utilisation Certificate to receive the remaining 10% instalment.

Frequently asked questions