ICSSR Major & Minor Research Projects 2025–26 – Applications Open

Grant Amount: Up to ₹30,00,000
Last Date to Apply: 15 December 2025

The Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR) has announced the call for project proposals under its Major and Minor Research Project Scheme for the financial year 2025–26. Eligible scholars, researchers, and faculty members across India are invited to submit proposals focusing on key social science themes aligned with the national vision of Viksit Bharat @ 2047.

About ICSSR

Established in 1969, ICSSR is the Government of India’s premier institution for promoting social and human science research. Operating under the Ministry of Education, it supports high-quality research through:

• Major & Minor research projects

• Doctoral/postdoctoral fellowships

• Training and capacity-building programs

• Grants for publications

• Seminars, conferences & workshops

• National and international collaborations

• Library & research support through NASSDOC

ICSSR’s mission is to strengthen social science research and contribute to evidence-based policy-making in India.

Grant Overview

The ICSSR Research Projects (2025–26) aim to encourage innovative, policy-relevant research across a wide range of social science disciplines. Both Major and Minor projects will be supported based on the strength of the proposal, experience of the researcher, and relevance to national priorities.

Maximum Grant Available: ₹30,00,000

Broad Research Domains

Applicants can submit proposals in any topic under the following research areas:

• Economic Development and Public Finance

• Finance, Accounting & Commerce

• Management & Organisational Studies

• Rural Studies

• Political Science

• Governance & Public Administration

• Public Policy & Programme Evaluation

• International Relations & Geopolitics

• National Security & Strategic Studies

• Legal Studies

• Sociology, Social Work & Community Practice

• Social Anthropology

• Gender Studies

• Divyangjan Studies

• Diaspora Studies

• Social Psychology

• Public Health & Health Systems

• Education & Skilling

• Human Geography & Spatial Planning

• Environmental Studies

• Modern Social History

• Cultural Studies

• Indian Languages, Translation & Linguistics

• Sociolinguistics & Multilingualism

• Sanskrit Studies

• Indian Knowledge Systems (IKS)

• Philosophy & Socio-Philosophical Studies

• Media & Communication Studies

• Library & Information Science

• Social Inclusion Studies

Eligibility Criteria

1. Who Can Apply?

Researchers who are permanently employed or retired from:

• UGC-recognized universities

• Deemed universities

• Affiliated colleges (2F/12(B))

• ICSSR Research Institutes

• ICSSR Recognised Institutes

• Institutes of National Importance (MoE)

The Project Director and Co-Project Director must hold a Ph.D. degree and have proven research contributions (books, papers, or project reports).

2. Independent & Contractual Researchers

The following can apply as Co-Project Directors (with a collaborating faculty from eligible institutions):

• Independent researchers with Ph.D., plus:

  • At least two sole-authored books, or

  • Five papers in peer-reviewed journals

• Contractual faculty with similar publication credentials

Even if their contract ends, they may continue working on the project.

3. Senior Government & Defence Officers

Retired/serving officers with:

• Minimum 5 years regular service

• A Ph.D. in a social science field

• Two sole-authored books or five peer-reviewed papers

They must apply jointly with a faculty from an eligible institution.

How to Apply

• Applications must be submitted online only.

• The portal is open until 15 December 2025.

• Applicants must read the official guidelines carefully.

Download Official Guidelines:
https://icssr.org/sites/default/files/2025-11/Guidelines-Major-Minor-2025_0.pdf

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