ICSSR National Fellowship 2025: Get ₹60,000/Month Full-Time Research Grant for Social Science Research

The Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR) has released the guidelines for its prestigious National Fellowship. This high-level fellowship is awarded to eminent Indian Social Scientists in recognition of their scholarly contributions. It provides an opportunity to engage in full-time research that advances knowledge in social sciences.

Selected fellows will receive a monthly fellowship of ₹60,000 along with a contingency grant. This program is specifically designed for renowned retired scholars and senior government officers with a strong research background. Importantly, candidates cannot apply directly; they must be nominated by Vice-Chancellors or Directors of research institutes.

Fellowship Overview & Key Details

Who Is Eligible?

The National Fellowship targets experienced professionals who have not availed of this specific ICSSR fellowship earlier. Eligibility falls into two main categories:

• Retired Social Scientists: Renowned Indian scholars with outstanding academic work and a significant record of high-quality research publications.
• Senior Government/Defence Officers: Officers with at least 25 years of regular service in any social science discipline. They must demonstrate research experience through published books, papers, or reports.

Affiliation Requirement

A fellow must affiliate themselves with an ICSSR Research Institute, a university of national importance, or a public-funded university. Funds will be disbursed through this administering institution.

Fellowship Value and Duration

This is a time-bound research opportunity. Fellowship Amount: ₹60,000 per month (irrespective of pensionary benefits). Contingency Grant: ₹60,000 per annum for research-related expenses. Duration: Strictly two years. No extensions are considered.

Nomination Procedure (How to Apply)

Direct applications are NOT accepted. You must be nominated by one of the following authorities:

• Vice-Chancellors of public-funded Central/State Universities.
• Directors of ICSSR Research Institutes/Regional Centres.
• Present and former Council Members or National Fellows of the ICSSR.

Submission Requirements: Nominations must be sent to the In-charge, RFS Division, ICSSR, New Delhi. Each nomination must include: 1. Curriculum Vitae (CV) of the scholar. 2. Abstracts of the 10 best publications. 3. A 1000-word research proposal.

Key Obligations for Fellows

Selected fellows are expected to deliver tangible research outcomes: Publications: You must publish at least two research papers in peer-reviewed journals during the fellowship. Final Report: A final research report must be submitted to ICSSR. The council reserves the right to publish this report.

Official Guidelines Link: Click Here to Read Full ICSSR Fellowship Guidelines