ICSSR–Japan Bilateral Cooperative Social Science Research Program (India)

Deadline: 03-Sep-2026

The Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR), in partnership with Japan’s academic research institutions under a bilateral cooperation framework, has launched the ICSSR–Japan Bilateral Cooperative Program to support collaborative research and academic exchange between India and Japan. The programme funds Joint Research Projects and Joint Seminars in Social Sciences and Humanities, encouraging long-term partnerships, researcher mobility, and international knowledge exchange.

The initiative aims to build sustainable research networks by supporting Indian and Japanese scholars, including early-career researchers, through joint studies, academic seminars, and institutional collaboration.

Overview of the ICSSR–Japan Bilateral Cooperative Program

The ICSSR–Japan Bilateral Cooperative Program is a research collaboration initiative designed to strengthen academic ties between India and Japan.

The programme supports:

• Joint Research Projects.
• Joint Seminars.
• Exchange of social science researchers.
• Institutional research partnerships.
• Long-term academic cooperation between India and Japan.

The programme operates under a formal bilateral agreement and focuses on advancing research collaboration in Social Sciences and Humanities.

Objectives of the Programme

The main objectives of the ICSSR–Japan Bilateral Cooperative Program include:

• Promoting international social science research collaboration.
• Creating long-term research networks between Indian and Japanese institutions.
• Encouraging mobility and exchange of researchers.
• Supporting early-career social scientists.
• Developing joint academic outputs and knowledge-sharing platforms.
• Strengthening India–Japan academic relationships.

Supported Research Areas

The programme supports research projects and seminars in:

• Social Sciences.
• Humanities.

Researchers may propose studies across different disciplines within these broad fields, provided the projects contribute to meaningful India–Japan academic cooperation.

Funding Opportunities Under the Programme

The programme provides two main funding opportunities:

• Joint Research Projects.
• Joint Seminars.

Both components are designed to encourage collaborative research and academic interaction between Indian and Japanese scholars.

Joint Research Projects

Joint Research Projects support collaborative studies conducted by researchers from India and Japan.

Funding details:

• Number of projects supported: Up to 3 projects.
• Project duration: Up to 2 years.
• Project start date: 1 April 2027.
• Maximum funding for Indian teams:
  • ₹7,00,000 per fiscal year.
  • Maximum ₹14,00,000 over two years.

The projects must involve collaboration between eligible Indian and Japanese researchers.

Joint Research Project Eligibility Requirements

Indian applicants must meet specific academic and institutional requirements.

Eligible Indian researchers must:

• Hold a permanent academic or research position.
• Be affiliated with:
  • Publicly funded universities.
  • Deemed universities approved by UGC.
  • Publicly funded research institutes.
  • ICSSR-recognized institutions.
• Hold a PhD or equivalent qualification.
• Demonstrate research experience through:
  • Publications.
  • Academic research activities.
  • Relevant scholarly contributions.

Japanese researchers must:

• Be affiliated with a university or research institute under the jurisdiction of JSPS.

Joint Research Project Participation Rules

The programme allows flexibility in team composition.

Key participation rules:

• No fixed limit exists on the number of researchers participating.
• Third-country researchers cannot participate in Joint Research Projects.
• Research teams must consist of eligible Indian and Japanese researchers.

The collaboration should directly involve researchers from both countries.

Joint Seminars

The programme also supports academic seminars focused on knowledge exchange and discussion.

Seminar details:

• Number of seminars supported: Up to 2.
• Duration: Up to 1 week.
• Eligible period:
  • 1 April 2027 to 31 March 2028.

Joint Seminars may be organised in:

• India.
• Japan.

Joint Seminar Participation Rules

Seminars allow broader academic participation.

Rules include:

• Researchers from third countries may participate.
• Third-country participants must cover their own expenses.
• Seminars should promote academic exchange between Indian and Japanese researchers.

Funding Support and Eligible Expenses

The programme does not provide a fixed overall grant amount. Instead, ICSSR supports eligible expenses related to Indian research team activities.

Funding support depends on the approved activity type.

Funding Support for Joint Research Projects

Eligible expenses may include:

• International airfare between India and Japan.
• Domestic travel within India for Indian researchers.
• Research-related expenses.
• Consumables.
• Honoraria.
• Printing costs.
• Communication expenses.
• Research meetings and collaboration costs.

Budget guidance:

• More than 50% of the total allocation is recommended to be used for travel-related expenses.

Funding Support for Joint Seminars Held in India

For seminars organised in India, support may include:

For Indian participants:

• Domestic travel expenses.
• Meeting-related expenses.
• Consumables.
• Honoraria.
• Printing.
• Communication.
• Reception expenses.
• Excursion-related costs.

For Japanese participants:

• Domestic travel expenses within India.
• Maintenance allowances during their stay in India.

Funding Support for Joint Seminars Held in Japan

For seminars conducted in Japan, support may include:

• International airfare.
• Maintenance allowance support from JSPS.
• Domestic expenses in India related to seminar preparation and follow-up activities.

How the Application Process Works

Applicants must follow the required submission process for collaborative research proposals.

Step 1: Develop a Joint Research Plan

Indian and Japanese researchers should prepare a collaborative proposal outlining:

• Research objectives.
• Methodology.
• Expected outcomes.
• Roles of participating researchers.
• Collaboration strategy.
• Budget requirements.

Step 2: Confirm Eligibility

Applicants should verify:

• Institutional eligibility.
• Academic qualifications.
• Research experience.
• Partnership requirements.

Step 3: Prepare Required Information

Applicants should provide:

• Research proposal details.
• Research team information.
• Institutional details.
• Publication record.
• Budget plan.
• Previous international funding outcomes, if applicable.

Step 4: Submit the Application

Eligible researchers must submit applications according to ICSSR and JSPS requirements.

Both Indian and Japanese researchers must coordinate to ensure consistency in project objectives and collaboration plans.

Administrative and Financial Management

ICSSR assigns administrative responsibility for funded projects to the institution of the Indian team leader.

The responsible institution must:

• Manage project funds.
• Maintain financial records.
• Follow ICSSR financial regulations.
• Submit required reports.

All expenditure must comply with ICSSR funding guidelines.

Previous ICSSR International Grant Recipients

Applicants who have received support under ICSSR international programmes within the previous five years must provide additional information.

They must report:

• Previous project outcomes.
• Expected results.
• Relevance of previous collaboration experience to the proposed project.

This requirement helps assess the applicant’s ability to successfully manage international research collaborations.

Why This Programme Matters

The ICSSR–Japan Bilateral Cooperative Program strengthens academic relationships between India and Japan through social science research collaboration.

The programme supports:

• International research partnerships.
• Exchange of academic expertise.
• Development of social science knowledge.
• Opportunities for emerging researchers.
• Long-term institutional cooperation.

By connecting researchers across countries, the programme contributes to deeper understanding of shared social, cultural, and policy challenges.

Common Application Mistakes to Avoid

Applicants should avoid:

• Applying without an eligible institutional affiliation.
• Submitting proposals without a Japanese research partner.
• Including third-country researchers in Joint Research Projects.
• Providing incomplete academic records.
• Preparing unclear research objectives.
• Submitting unrealistic budgets.
• Ignoring ICSSR financial regulations.
• Failing to report previous ICSSR-supported projects.

Tips for Preparing a Strong Proposal

Applicants can improve their proposals by:

• Developing a clearly defined India–Japan research theme.
• Demonstrating strong academic collaboration.
• Highlighting the relevance of the research topic.
• Including experienced and qualified researchers.
• Creating a realistic travel and research budget.
• Explaining expected academic outcomes.
• Showing potential for long-term collaboration.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is the ICSSR–Japan Bilateral Cooperative Program?

It is a bilateral research funding programme that supports collaborative Social Sciences and Humanities research between Indian and Japanese researchers.

What types of activities are funded?

The programme supports Joint Research Projects and Joint Seminars involving researchers from India and Japan.

How many Joint Research Projects will be funded?

Up to three Joint Research Projects will be supported.

What is the duration of Joint Research Projects?

Joint Research Projects may continue for up to two years starting from 1 April 2027.

How much funding can Indian research teams receive?

Indian research teams can receive up to ₹7,00,000 per fiscal year, with a maximum of ₹14,00,000 over two years.

Can researchers from third countries participate?

Third-country researchers are not allowed in Joint Research Projects. They may participate in Joint Seminars only if they cover their own expenses.

Who manages the project funds?

The institution of the Indian team leader is responsible for administration and financial management according to ICSSR rules.

Conclusion

The ICSSR–Japan Bilateral Cooperative Program provides an important opportunity for Indian and Japanese researchers to develop collaborative research networks in Social Sciences and Humanities. Through Joint Research Projects and Joint Seminars, the programme promotes academic exchange, international cooperation, and long-term partnerships that contribute to global social science development.

For more information, visit ICSSR.