ICSSR invites applications for Full-Term, Short-Term Doctoral Fellowship and Contingency Grant Scheme

The ICSSR has stated that Doctoral Fellowships shall be awarded to Indian research scholars who are registered for a Ph.D. in UGC recognized Universities and colleges.

The Indian Council of Social Science Research is inviting applications for ICSSR’s Doctoral Fellowship Schemes for the Financial Year 2025-26. The online application date begins from September 22 and the last date to apply is October 21, 2025. 

ICSSR is inviting applications for Full-Term Doctoral Fellowship Scheme (Centrally Administered and Institutional), Short-Term Doctoral Fellowship Scheme and Contingency Grant Scheme. The candidates shall submit an online application on the ICSSR website on the link https://app.icssr.org.

The Council supports and encourages Ph.D. scholars to pursue their doctoral research in social and human sciences. The award of a Doctoral fellowship takes into consideration innovative research proposals having the potential of path breaking addition to the existing body of knowledge. The priority of the ICSSR is to address changing societal dynamics and social challenges through effective evidence-based research to fulfill India’s aspirations to become a global power.

The ICSSR notice states, Doctoral Fellowships shall be awarded to Indian research scholars, who are registered for Ph.D. in UGC recognized Universities / Deemed-to-be-Universities and colleges having approved Ph.D. programmes duly recognized by UGC under 2(f)/12(b), Institutes of National Importance as defined by MoE / UGC, and ICSSR Research Institutes.

“The applications can be filled either in English or in Hindi (Arial/Mangal Unicode font will be used in the Devanagari script to fill the application form in Hindi). The links for detailed guidelines for applying, along with requisite formats, are provided on this web page,” reads the notice.

Duration and Fellowship value:

1. Full-Term Doctoral Fellowship: The value of the Full-Term Doctoral Fellowship is Rs 20,000 per month plus Rs 20,000 contingency grant per annum. The total duration of the Full-term Doctoral Fellowship shall be two years.
2. Institutional Full-Term Doctoral Fellowship: The duration and value of the fellowship will be the same as mentioned under the Full-Term Doctoral Fellowship.
3. Short-Term Doctoral Fellowship: The duration of the Short-Term Doctoral Fellowship is strictly for six months or until the date of Ph.D. submission at the university/ institution, whichever is earlier.

The maximum value of the fellowship will be equivalent to six month fellowship amount of the Full Term Doctoral Fellowship grant plus the contingency grant payable for six months. The value of the fellowship is a consolidated grant of Rs. 62,500.

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