Scheme For Award Of Senior/Junior Fellowships To Outstanding Persons In The Fields Of Culture
₹20,000/month senior or ₹10,000/month junior culture fellowship · artists · 2-year tenure
The Ministry of Culture offers annual fellowships to outstanding artists, scholars, and researchers in performing arts, literary arts, visual arts, Indology, numismatics, and related cultural fields to undertake two-year research projects. Junior Fellows (age 25–40) receive ₹10,000/month and Senior Fellows (above 40) receive ₹20,000/month. Apply online through the Ministry of Culture website (indiaculture.gov.in) when the annual advertisement is released in Employment News and newspapers.
About This Scheme
The Ministry of Culture offers annual fellowships to outstanding artists, scholars, and researchers in performing arts, literary arts, visual arts, Indology, numismatics, and related cultural fields to undertake two-year research projects. Junior Fellows (age 25–40) receive ₹10,000/month and Senior Fellows (above 40) receive ₹20,000/month. Apply online through the Ministry of Culture website (indiaculture.gov.in) when the annual advertisement is released in Employment News and newspapers.
Full official description
The scheme “Scheme for Award of Senior/Junior Fellowships to Outstanding Persons in the Fields of Culture” was launched by the Ministry of Culture, Government of India. The objective of the scheme is to provide facilities and opportunities to the artists in the fields of creative arts or for the revival of some of our traditional forms of art. The scheme would also cover artistes in rural/tribal areas. The fellowships are awarded for undertaking research oriented projects. Under this Scheme, a maximum of 200 Junior and Senior Fellows are selected every year. Awardees are paid grant money @ ₹10,000/- and ₹20,000/- per month respectively for a period of two years. The focus of this scheme is on “in-depth study/research” in various facets of culture. These include new emerging areas of Cultural Studies. Fields/Area:
- Senior/Junior Fellowships in the Field of Performing, Literary and Plastic Arts.
- Performing Arts ( Music/Dance/Theatre/Folk Traditional & Indigenous Arts including Puppetry)
- Literary Arts (Travelogue/History & Theory of Literature)
- Plastic Arts (Graphics/Sculpture/Painting including Folk Paintings and Research Work on Traditional Paintings/Creative Photography)
- Senior/Junior Fellowships in the New Areas related to Culture: In the ‘New Areas related to culture’, projects are sought in the following fields :
- Indology
- Epigraphy
- Sociology of Culture
- Cultural Economics
- Structural and Engineering Aspects of Monuments
- Numismatics
- Scientific and Technical aspects of Conservation
- Management aspects of Art and Heritage
- Studies relating to application of Science and technology in areas related to culture and creativity. The objective is to encourage analytical application of new research techniques, technological and management principles to contemporary issues in areas related to art and culture. General and theoretical macro-studies will not be considered. The proposal should be innovative and application-oriented and preferably interdisciplinary in nature.
Benefits
- Junior Fellowship: ₹10,000/month for 2 years (for applicants aged 25–40)
- Senior Fellowship: ₹20,000/month for 2 years (for applicants above 40)
- One-time publication grant of up to ₹20,000 or 50% of publication cost (whichever is less), available to up to 20% of awardees
- Up to 200 fellowships (Junior and Senior combined) awarded annually across various fields
💡 Why Startups Should Care
Creative founders in culturaltech or heritage preservation can use this 2-year fellowship to fund artistic research that informs a product — the grant covers living costs and the fellowship legitimizes your cultural credentials for institutional partnerships.
Who Can Apply (Eligibility)
- Junior Fellowship: age 25–40 years as of 1 April of the application year
- Senior Fellowship: age above 40 years as of 1 April of the application year
- Minimum education: graduation in the relevant field
- Must not have received the same fellowship type previously (Junior fellows may apply for Senior fellowship after 5 years of completing the earlier project)
- Senior fellowship applicants must not be receiving an artists' pension from the Ministry of Culture's Indigent Artists scheme
Exclusions
- Does not cover training programs, workshops, or seminars
- Does not cover documenting memoirs or writing autobiographies
- Does not cover fiction writing
How to Apply
- Watch for annual advertisements in Employment News and leading newspapers (also at indiaculture.gov.in)
- Fill out the online application form with all required personal and professional details
- Upload identity proof, photographs, age proof, qualification documents, and bank details
- Submit the completed application online before the deadline
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the objective of the scheme?
The objective of the scheme is to encourage the analytical application of new research techniques, technological and management principles to contemporary issues in areas related to art and culture.
Which ministry has started the scheme?
Ministry of Culture, Government of India
Is this Central Sector Scheme?
Yes, this is a Central Sector Scheme.
What are the benefits of the scheme?
The junior & senior fellows are paid grant money @ [?]10,000/- and [?]20,000/- per month respectively for a period of two years.
What other benefits will be given to the fellows?
There could be also a one-time grant up to a maximum of [?]20,000/- or 50% of the cost of the publication, whichever is less, for the publication of selected Project documents. This will be restricted to 20% of the awardees.
How many numbers of fellowships will be given each year?
The number of fellowships will be up to 400 each year.
What should the minimum educational qualification be required for applying under the scheme?
Graduation is the minimum educational qualification required for applicants applying under the scheme.
What is the age criterion for an applicant applying for junior fellowships?
The applicant applying under the junior fellowships should be between 25 to 40 years.
What is the age criterion for an applicant applying for senior fellowships?
The age of the applicant should be above 40 years applying under senior fellowships.
Can an applicant who is the recipient of a pension from the Ministry of Culture be eligible to apply under the scheme?
No, the applicant should not be the recipient of a pension from the Ministry of Culture under the scheme for the grant of financial assistance to artists in indigent circumstances.
Can an applicant avail of the benefits of the same fellowship more than once?
No, the applicant should not have availed of the same fellowship earlier.
Can an applicant who had been awarded a Junior Fellowship apply for a Senior Fellowship?
Yes, an applicant who had been awarded a Junior Fellowship can apply for a Senior Fellowship, provided 5 years have elapsed after the closure of the earlier project.
When will the review or assessment of performance be carried out?
A mid-term review/assessment of performance in each case will be carried out after one year and further continuance of Fellowship will depend on such review/assessment.
How can an applicant apply under the scheme?
The applicant may apply through online mode. Applicants are required to submit online applications on the Website of the Ministry of Culture or Centre for Cultural Resources and Training (CCRT).
Ready to apply?
Visit the official government portal to apply for this scheme.
Apply on myScheme.gov.inDocuments Required
- Identity proof
- Passport-size photographs
- Age proof (birth certificate)
- Educational qualification documents
- Bank account details (for direct benefit transfer)