ICSSR International Collaboration
Travel grant for international conferences · social science faculty & PhD scholars · 50–100% reimbursement
The ICSSR Travel Grant helps Indian social science faculty and research scholars attend and present papers at international conferences abroad. The grant covers airfare, visa fees, travel insurance, registration fees, and daily expenses, with full funding available for SC/ST applicants, persons with disabilities, and doctoral scholars without pay protection. Apply online through the ICSSR portal at least three months before the conference date.
About This Scheme
The ICSSR Travel Grant helps Indian social science faculty and research scholars attend and present papers at international conferences abroad. The grant covers airfare, visa fees, travel insurance, registration fees, and daily expenses, with full funding available for SC/ST applicants, persons with disabilities, and doctoral scholars without pay protection. Apply online through the ICSSR portal at least three months before the conference date.
Full official description
Through this programme, it promotes academic links amongst the social scientists in India and abroad, provides opportunity to develop new insights and to enlarge their research perspective and contribute to the advancement and dissemination of knowledge in social science subjects. Under this scheme, the financial assistance is provided to Indian scholars, who have been invited to contribute and present papers at International Conference abroad. Invitation received from global subject associations/reputed international organisations/universities are given preference. Applications are invited in all broad disciplines within the domain of social sciences. Faculties with regular service in public funded Universities / Deemed-to-be-Universities/Colleges, Institutes of National Importance as defined by MoE / UGC, and ICSSR Research Institutes/Recognized Institutes having a PhD degree are eligible to apply. PhD/PDF scholars in the advanced stage of their research are also eligible. The applications shall be accepted at least three months before the due date of the Seminar/Conference. Faculties will be eligible for financial assistance up to 50% of the total cost of visit under this scheme. However, the faculties belonging to SC/ST, Persons with Benchmark Disability and Doctoral/Post-Doctoral scholars (without pay protection) will be considered for full financial assistance. The expenditure are reimbursed on submission of the original boarding pass, attendance certificate, statement of expenditure and a brief report on the Seminar/Conference/ Workshop/Proceedings.
Benefits
- Airfare reimbursed at actual cost
- Visa fee reimbursed at actual cost
- Travel insurance reimbursed at actual cost
- Conference registration fee up to US
- Daily maintenance allowance as per Ministry of External Affairs rates
- Up to 50% of total visit cost for general category; 100% for SC/ST applicants, persons with benchmark disability, and doctoral/post-doctoral scholars without pay protection
💡 Why Startups Should Care
If you're an academic founder or researcher-turned-entrepreneur, this grant reimburses up to 100% of international conference costs (airfare, visa, registration up to US$200, maintenance) — it's a practical way to present your research, build global networks, and establish credibility before your startup's commercial phase.
Who Can Apply (Eligibility)
- Must be an Indian citizen
- Regular faculty (with PhD) at a publicly funded university, deemed university, college, institute of national importance, or ICSSR-affiliated institute
- PhD or post-doctoral scholars in an advanced stage of research are also eligible
- Paper must be accepted for active presentation (not poster sessions, chairing, or attending only)
- If the paper is co-authored, the first author gets priority; a No Objection Certificate from co-authors is required
- Application must be submitted at least 3 months before the conference date
Exclusions
- Not available to scholars attending as poster presenters, session chairs, conveners, rapporteurs, or workshop/training participants (must be presenting a paper)
- Scholars not affiliated with public-funded universities, deemed universities, institutes of national importance, or ICSSR research institutes are not eligible
How to Apply
- Visit icssr.org and navigate to the International Collaboration section.
- Click on 'Participation in International Conference Abroad' scheme.
- Register or log in to the ICSSR portal.
- Fill the online application form and upload all required documents.
- Submit the application at least 3 months before the conference date.
- After the conference, submit original boarding passes, attendance certificate, statement of expenditure, and a brief report for reimbursement.
Ready to apply?
Visit the official government portal to apply for this scheme.
Apply on myScheme.gov.inDocuments Required
- Documents specified in the scheme guidelines for each call (check the ICSSR website for the specific list at time of applying)