Scheme of Grant-in-Aid for Professional Associations/ Organisations of Social Scientists including Universities, Colleges and Research Institutes for Publication/ Running of their Research Journal(s)
ICSSR provides annual grants to universities, colleges, research institutes, and professional associations to cover the cost of publishing peer-reviewed social science research journals. Up to ₹5 lakh per journal (₹8 lakh for multiple journals from one organization) is awarded after evaluation by an Expert Committee. Apply through the ICSSR's Publications and Research Support (PRS) Division.
About This Scheme
ICSSR provides annual grants to universities, colleges, research institutes, and professional associations to cover the cost of publishing peer-reviewed social science research journals. Up to ₹5 lakh per journal (₹8 lakh for multiple journals from one organization) is awarded after evaluation by an Expert Committee. Apply through the ICSSR's Publications and Research Support (PRS) Division.
Full official description
Journals supported under this scheme must be at least three years old with consistent publication records. The publisher may be a university, college, research institute, or professional association registered under the Societies Registration Act, 1860. The organisation and the journal may be discipline-specific or interdisciplinary. The maximum annual grant is Rs. 5,00,000 for one journal and Rs. 8,00,000 for multiple journals. Where journals are published commercially, financial support is limited to editorial/processing costs (up to Rs. 1,00,000 per journal). Additional funding may be considered for special issues or back volumes. The final 10% of the grant is released after submission of the Audited Statement of Accounts and Utilization Certificate.
Benefits
- Up to ₹5 lakh per year per journal
- Up to ₹8 lakh for multiple journals published by a single organization
- Up to ₹1 lakh for journals with commercial publishers (editorial cost only); up to ₹2 lakh for multiple journals
- Additional support for publishing special issues or back volumes
- Disbursed in 2 installments: 90% first, then 10% after submitting audited accounts and utilization certificate
Who Can Apply (Eligibility)
- Must be a university, college, research institute, or professional association registered under the Societies Registration Act 1860
- Journal must be at least 3 years old with a consistent and uninterrupted publication record
- Must follow professional publishing standards (peer review, proper citations, etc.)
- Must submit audited accounts and annual reports for the last 3 years
- SC/ST category journals must focus on SC/ST-related research themes
- Journals published in regional languages are also eligible
Exclusions
- Journals without consistent periodicity.
How to Apply
S. No StepActionDocuments Required1.Advertisement & Receipt of ApplicationsPRS Division publishes advertisements or accepts applications throughout the year.1. Application Form, 2. Organisation Profile2.Preliminary Scrutiny by PRS DivisionVerification of eligibility and completeness.1. Three Years’ Audited Accounts & Annual Reports, 2. Proof of Journal Regularity, 3. (3+ years) Registration Certificate (if association), 4. Peer Review Statement3.Proposal to Member SecretaryPRS Division seeks approval to hold an Expert Committee Meeting.Summary of Eligible Applications4.Expert Committee Meeting for EvaluationCommittee reviews and recommends applications.All documents submitted with the application5.Approval of RecommendationsMinutes approved by Member Secretary and ICSSR Council.Minutes of Expert Committee Meeting
6.Communication to ApplicantsAward letters issued to selected applicants. Request for GIB and PFMS details.
- Award Letter, 2. Grant-in-Aid Bill (GIB), 3. PFMS Details7.Sanction Order – First InstallmentPRS prepares sanctions; sends them to Audit and Finance for release.
- Sanction Order, 2. GIB, 3. Bank Details, 4. Approval Note8.Submission of Utilisation ReportsExpenditure documents to be submitted for the 2nd installment.
- Updated GIB, 2. Audited Statement of Accounts, 3. Utilisation Certificate (UC)
9.Sanction Order – Second InstallmentPRS processes the second installment; sends to Audit and Finance.
- Sanction Order, 2. Final UC & Audit Report
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the maximum annual grant per journal?
Rs. 5,00,000
Can organisations publishing more than one journal apply?
Yes, up to Rs. 8,00,000 may be sanctioned.
Are commercial publications eligible?
Yes, but only editorial costs (up to Rs. 1,00,000 per journal with a ceiling of Rs. 2,00,000 if the organisation publishes more than one journal).
Can special or back issues be funded?
Yes, separate grants may be considered.
Is funding available for regional language journals?
Yes, and translation support is also considered.
Who are the members of the expert committee?
The details and identities of members are kept confidential due to privacy concerns.
Can a newly established journal apply?
No, the journal must be at least 3 years old.
Can journals without peer review process apply?
No, peer review is mandatory.
Can an organisation not registered under the Companies Act, 1860 apply for the grant?
No.
Can journals of science or any other subject area apply for the grant?
The journals of inter-disciplinary nature may apply for the grant.
Is the application online?
both ways.
Where to send the application?
ICSSR, Aruna Asaf Ali Marg, New Delhi - 110067.
When is the last date to apply?
Applications are open throughout the year.
What if documents are incomplete?
Incomplete applications will be rejected.
Is it mandatory to have the Head of Institution’s signature?
Yes.
Ready to apply?
Visit the official government portal to apply for this scheme.
Apply on myScheme.gov.in