Under its responsive role the Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR) has an elaborate programme of supporting research to individual scholars by offering them fellowships at different levels in social science disciplines. The disciplines /areas recognised for such support are:

(i)        Economics/Commerce/Management/Business Administration;

(ii)     Sociology and Social Anthropology/Social Work/Demography/Gender Studies;

(iii)    Political Science/International  Relations/Geography/Public Administration;

(iv)   Psychology/Education/Criminology;

(v)  Others- Linguistics/Law etc.

 

 The applicants are requested to indicate under which clubbing of disciplines their proposals falls.

 

To provide opportunities to social scientists to engage themselves in full-time research on important themes of their choice or to write books about their research;

To assist young scholars who have the potential and competence for research to work full time on their approved research themes;

To achieve these objectives, four categories of fellowships are offered /awarded to scholars who are at various levels in their profession: National Fellowships, Senior Fellowships, General Fellowships & Doctoral Fellowships.

National Fellowships are offered to eminent social scientists, who have made outstanding contributions to research in their respective fields, to enable them to continue their academic work further. There is no age bar for this category of fellowship.

Senior Fellowships are awarded to social scientists, no age limit, who have done quality research work,  publications and papers in professional journals to their credit. Besides, civil servants, journalists and social workers known for their academic interests are also considered.

General Fellowships are awarded to scholars, preferably below the age of 50 years, who have shown significant promise and competence for research work, have completed their Ph.D. or have done equivalent research work of merit and desire to work on approved research themes at institutions of excellence under the guidance of senior social scientists. 

Doctoral Fellowships are open to doctoral students, preferably below the age of 35 years, who have a Master's degree from a recognized university with a first or second class and are registered for a doctoral degree in social sciences.