ICSSR Senior Fellowship 2025 - Call for Applications

Call for Applications: ICSSR Senior Fellowships 2025

The Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR), Ministry of Education, Government of India, invites applications for the Senior Fellowships 2025. These fellowships are a prestigious opportunity for experienced social scientists to pursue full-time, high-impact research contributing to evidence-based solutions for India’s social, economic, and cultural development.

Objectives of the Fellowship

1. To provide opportunities for outstanding social scientists to engage in dedicated, full-time research on nationally relevant and socially important themes.
2. To promote evidence-based research that addresses current and future challenges for the holistic development of society and the nation.

Who Can Apply?

• Indian citizens between the ages of 45 and 70 years.
• Must hold a Ph.D. in Social Sciences or allied disciplines.
• Should have a proven track record of published research, including books with reputed publishers and papers in peer-reviewed journals.
• Applicants must be affiliated with UGC-recognized universities, institutes of national importance, or ICSSR research institutes .

Duration and Value of the Fellowship

• Tenure: 2 years (no extension will be granted).
• Fellowship Amount: Rs. 45,000/- per month.
• Contingency Grant: Rs. 40,000/- per annum.
• Salary protection may be available in exceptional cases for faculty in regular service in public-funded universities/colleges .

Broad Domains & Priority Areas

The ICSSR Senior Fellowships cover all major domains of social sciences. Applicants may submit proposals in one of the following broad areas (illustrative list):

• Economics & Development Studies: Sustainable Development, Rural Transformation, FinTech, MSMEs, Circular Economy, Informal Economy, Gig Economy, etc.
• Management & Commerce: Human Resource Management, CSR, Corporate Governance, Digital Finance, Ease of Doing Business.
• Sociology, Social Work & Anthropology: Empowerment of vulnerable groups, Ageing, Education & Technology, Culture & Society, Rituals, Ethnography.
• Political Science, Public Administration & International Relations: E-Governance, Democracy, Human Rights, Multilateralism, Global South Diplomacy.
• Gender Studies & Health/Public Health: Gender & Work, Digital Health Services, AI in Public Health, Indigenous Healing Systems.
• Education & Skilling: NEP 2020, Digital Learning, AI in Education, Skilling Youth for Future Jobs.
• Environmental & Rural Studies: Climate Change, SDGs, Biodiversity, Rural Livelihoods, Climate Resilience.
• Legal Studies, Social Psychology, Media & Cultural Studies, Indian Knowledge Systems, Divyangjan & Janjatiya Studies, Modern Social History .

Note: Interdisciplinary proposals and exceptional themes within social sciences will also be considered.

Application Process

• Applications must be submitted online only via the ICSSR website: www.icssr.org.
• Use the prescribed application format (proposals can be in English or Hindi).
• One applicant can submit only one application under the Senior Fellowship scheme.

Important Dates:

• Start of Online Application: 03 October 2025
• Last Date of Online Application: 31 October 2025

Applicants are strongly advised to read the detailed guidelines available on the ICSSR website before applying.

Selection Procedure

• Applications will be evaluated in multiple stages by expert committees.
• Shortlisted applicants may be invited for an interaction/presentation.
• Final selection will be based on the recommendations of ICSSR’s committees.

Expectations from Fellows

• Conduct original, full-time research within the fellowship period.
• Publish at least two research papers in peer-reviewed journals/books during the fellowship.
• Submit a book-length final report (with summary and plagiarism clearance) at the end of the fellowship.
• Acknowledge ICSSR support in all publications .

Why Apply?

The ICSSR Senior Fellowship is one of India’s most prestigious awards in the social sciences, offering:

• A platform to undertake independent, policy-relevant research.
• Financial support for two years, enabling full-time research without academic distractions.
• Opportunities to influence national policy and contribute to evidence-based solutions for India’s pressing challenges.

How to Apply

Interested candidates should apply online at www.icssr.org.

Applications must be complete in all respects; incomplete submissions will not be considered.

📢 For further details, guidelines, and application link: www.icssr.org

Stay Connected

For updates on Faculty & Leadership Jobs, Conferences, Workshops, FDP/MDP, PhD Admissions, Post Docs, Research Jobs, Calls for Papers, and Certification Programmes:

👉 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁𝘀𝗔𝗽𝗽 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗹 | 𝗧𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗺 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗹