ICSSR Senior Fellowship 2026: ₹45,000 Monthly Grant & Eligibility
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Quick answer
The ICSSR Senior Fellowship provides financial assistance to senior social science scholars aged 45 to 70 years affiliated with recognised institutions. Fellows receive a monthly stipend of ₹45,000 along with an annual contingency grant of ₹40,000 for two years. Interested researchers can apply online through the official ICSSR website during the open call.
At a glance
| Main benefit | ₹45,000 monthly fellowship and ₹40,000 annual grant |
| Ministry / department | Ministry of Education |
| Level | Central Government |
| Age | 45–70 years |
| Application mode | Online |
About the scheme
Administered by the Indian Council of Social Science Research under the Ministry of Education, the ICSSR Senior Fellowship Scheme supports experienced scholars conducting quality research in social sciences. Aimed at promoting research excellence and policy-relevant scholarship, the programme is open to researchers affiliated with UGC-recognised universities, deemed universities, institutes of national importance, or ICSSR-recognised institutes. The fellowship runs for two years, requiring fellows to submit six-monthly progress reports, at least two published papers, and a final book-length report.
Benefits
- Monthly fellowship amount of ₹45,000.
- Contingency grant of ₹40,000 per annum to cover research-related expenses.
- API points awarded according to UGC guidelines in force.
Who can apply (eligibility)
- The applicant must be a citizen of India.
- Must hold a Ph.D. degree in any social science or allied discipline.
- Applicant's age must be between 45 and 70 years as on the last date of application.
- Must possess a proven record of publications in reputed journals or books.
- Must be affiliated with a UGC-recognised university, deemed university, institute of national importance, or ICSSR-recognised research institute.
- Must not be drawing any other fellowship concurrently.
- Must not be a defaulter of ICSSR funds.
Who cannot apply
- Candidates who do not satisfy the prescribed eligibility criteria.
- Scholars currently availing another fellowship or concurrent research project from other institutions.
- Defaulters of earlier ICSSR funds.
Documents required
- Ph.D. degree certificate
- Proof of age
- List of publications in reputed journals or books
- Formatted research proposal (in English or Hindi UTF-8 font)
- Plagiarism report
- Institutional affiliation letter
- Additional documents specified in the call announcement
How to apply
- 1Visit the official ICSSR website at www.icssr.org and go to the Fellowships section.
- 2Select the Senior Fellowship Scheme from the available options.
- 3Register or log in to the official ICSSR portal.
- 4Complete the online application form with personal and research details.
- 5Upload all mandatory documents and submit the application online.
Frequently asked questions
How much financial assistance is provided under the ICSSR Senior Fellowship?+
Selected fellows receive a monthly fellowship of ₹45,000 along with an annual contingency grant of ₹40,000 for two years.
What is the age limit for the ICSSR Senior Fellowship?+
Applicants must be between 45 and 70 years of age on the last date of application.
Can a candidate holding another fellowship apply?+
No, candidates cannot hold any concurrent fellowships or research projects from other institutions.
What are the required educational qualifications?+
Applicants must hold a Ph.D. in any social science or allied discipline and have an established publication record.
How is the fellowship amount disbursed?+
The grant is disbursed in instalments via the affiliating institution upon submission and verification of required progress reports and bills.
What language can the research proposal be submitted in?+
Research proposals can be submitted either in English or in Hindi using Unicode UTF-8 font.
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