Call for Proposals 2026: Indo-Swiss Joint Research Programme (ISJRP)

Call for Proposals 2026: Indo-Swiss Joint Research Programme (ISJRP)

The Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR) and the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF) are proud to announce the 2026 call for Joint Research Projects (JRPs). This bilateral initiative is designed to foster high-level academic collaboration between researchers in India and Switzerland, supporting projects that address pressing social, ethical, and economic challenges.

Strategic Research Themes for 2026

To be eligible, proposals must fall under one of the following four thematic areas in the field of social sciences:

1. Digital Governance & AI Ethics: Focusing on the social impact of Artificial Intelligence and frameworks for ethical digital governance.
2. Inequality, Justice, and Inclusion: Researching systemic inequalities and mechanisms for social justice.
3. Mobility and Social Integration: Studying migration patterns, urban mobility, and the integration of diverse social groups.
4. Economic Transformation: Analyzing the shifts in global and local economies due to technological and social changes.

Funding and Duration

The programme provides substantial financial support to facilitate long-term collaborative research:

• Project Duration: Exactly 36 months (3 years).
• Indian Side (ICSSR): Up to ₹25 Lakhs per project.
• Swiss Side (SNSF): Up to CHF 300,000 per project.
• Capacity: A total of 10 joint projects will be funded under this call.

Eligibility Criteria

• Partnership: Each proposal must be led by at least one Principal Investigator (PI) based in India and one PI based in Switzerland.
• Qualifications: Indian applicants must hold a Ph.D. and be employed in a recognized academic or research institution.
• Restrictions: Each applicant may submit only one proposal as a Principal Investigator for this call.

Important Dates & Deadlines

• Call Opening Date: January 8, 2026
• Submission Deadline: April 8, 2026 (17:00 CEST / 8:30 PM IST)
• Funding Decision: Expected by the end of 2026.
• Earliest Project Start: January 1, 2027.

How to Apply

The application process requires coordination between both the Swiss and Indian partners:

1. Joint Submission (SNSF Portal): The primary proposal must be jointly prepared and submitted via the SNSF Portal by the Swiss PI. All Indian team members must also create an account on the portal.
2. Indian Submission (ICSSR): The Indian PI must submit the complete proposal (identical to the one on the SNSF portal) as a single consolidated PDF to ICSSR via email at adinchargeics@gmail.com.
3. Hard Copy Requirement: One (1) hard copy of the final proposal must be sent to the ICSSR office in New Delhi via Speed Post.

Contact Information:

• ICSSR (India): Mr. M.P. Madhukar, Senior Consultant (Research) – adinchargeics@gmail.com
• SNSF (Switzerland): International Cooperation Division – international@snf.ch

Official Portals:

• ICSSR Official Announcement

Advance your research on a global stage. Apply for the ISJRP 2026 today!