GENERAL FELLOWSHIPS

 

General Fellowships are awarded to scholars, preferably below the age of 50 years, who have shown significant promise and potential for research. They should have completed their doctoral degree or should have done equivalent research work of merit. They are required to work at an institution of excellence under the guidance of senior social scientists on a theme approved by the Council. 

 

How to Apply

  Applications will be invited through EPW, University News and Website of the ICSSR   in the month of March each year.  Completed applications should reach the ICSSR by   15th June.

Mode of Processing  

      General Fellowship applications will be evaluated by a Committee of experts set up for each social science discipline.  The Committee will meet twice, first in the month of July to shortlist the applications and second in August to give marking on a ten point scale after interacting with the short listed applicants.  The recommendations of the Committee will be placed before the Research Committee for final decision.

 

 

Procedure for Selection

All requests in response to the advertisement must be accompanied by five sets each of a detailed Research Proposal (not exceeding 5000 words) and the curriculum vitae of the scholar in a standardised proforma (see Annexure I) along with two passport size photographs and a summary of Ph.D. thesis or equivalent research work, Forwarding letter by a well established institution/university and no objection  and salary certificate from the employer, Name of a senior social scientist who will supervise the study and his consent letter along with a copy of his Bio-Data.  Guidelines for formulation of Research Guidelines for preparation of Research Fellowship Proposal have been given at Annexure II. The scholar must mention name of the affiliating institute/ organisation and proposed supervisor.

The proposals are examined by a group of experts and its recommendations are placed before the Research Committee/Council for a final decision. No scholar will be considered for a second fellowship unless five years have elapsed from the date of termination of the last fellowship.

 

Affiliation and Overhead Charges

The fellow must be affiliated to an university/college/reputed institute (funded by central or state government) of his/her choice with the prior approval of the Council for distribution and administration of funds. The affiliating institution will provide the requisite research infrastructure to the scholar and maintain proper accounts. For this, the Council shall pay, to the institution, overhead charges at seven and a half percent (7.5%) of the total expenditure incurred.

However, this amount shall be paid only after the conclusion of the fellowship and on receipt of Simple  Statement of Accounts and Utilization Certificate duly certified by the Director/Competent authorities. Audited   Statement of Accounts shall follow in due course.  

 

 
Value and Duration

The value of the fellowship is Rs.6,000/- p.m. (consolidated) in case of unemployed scholars.

In case of employed scholars, salary protection is provided. The fellow will be entitled to allowances as per the rules admissible at the parent institution. The leave salary and pension contribution/employer’s share of CPF contribution will also be borne by the Council.

A contingency grant of Rs.12,000/- p.a. is admissible through the entire period of the fellowship to both unemployed and employed scholars.

The maximum duration of the fellowship will be two years.

 

Mode of Payment

The sanction of the fellowship is issued initially for one year, which is effective from the date of joining. The first year’s grant is released in three instalments. The third instalment consists of 10% of the Ist Year’s grant. The remaining amount is divided into two instalments consisting of 60% as first and 40% as second instalment. 

The third instalment is released only on receipt of the annual progress report. Same procedure is followed for the second year  on receipt of the final report on completion of the fellowship).

 

 

Final Report and Accounts

Fellows are expected to submit the Final Report (in triplicate)   in publishable form, within six months after the completion of their fellowship.

The affiliating body will have to submit an Audited Statement of Accounts and Utilisation Certificate, duly certified by a chartered accountant, for the entire expenditure incurred.