ICSSR–NSTC Bilateral Collaborative Research Grant Program (India)

Deadline: 03-Aug-2026

Applications are invited under the joint initiative of the Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR) and the National Science and Technology Council (NSTC), Taipei, Taiwan to promote bilateral cooperation in social sciences through scholar exchanges, academic collaboration, and jointly developed research projects.

The programme aims to strengthen academic and cultural ties between India and Taiwan by supporting research on emerging themes of mutual interest and facilitating mobility between researchers from both countries.

About the Program

The ICSSR–NSTC Joint Research Programme encourages collaborative research partnerships between Indian and Taiwanese scholars through jointly designed and jointly implemented projects.

The programme focuses on:

• Bilateral social science cooperation
• Exchange visits
• Scholar exchanges
• Joint research projects
• Academic collaboration
• International research partnerships
• Knowledge exchange
• Capacity building
• Strengthening academic relationships
• Promoting cultural understanding

The initiative seeks to foster long-term cooperation between research institutions in India and Taiwan.

Program Objectives

The programme seeks to:

• Strengthen bilateral cooperation in social sciences
• Encourage joint research initiatives
• Promote academic exchange between India and Taiwan
• Support emerging areas of mutual interest
• Enhance international scholarly collaboration
• Facilitate researcher mobility
• Build sustainable institutional partnerships
• Encourage interdisciplinary research
• Promote cultural understanding through academic engagement
• Generate high-quality research outputs

Projects should demonstrate clear collaborative value and academic relevance.

Research Areas

The programme supports research in the following areas:

• Economic Commerce Management and Business Administration
• Sociology
• Social Anthropology
• Social Work
• Demography
• Gender Studies
• Political Science
• International Relations
• Geography
• Public Administration
• Psychology
• Education
• Criminology
• Law
• Linguistics and Literature
• Cultural Studies
• Arts
• Area Studies
• History
• Buddhist Studies
• Philosophy
• Artificial Intelligence and its social impact
• Other emerging technologies with social impact

Proposals addressing new and emerging themes of mutual importance are encouraged.

Funding Information

Under the programme:

• Financial support of up to Rs. 12,00,000 is available per project.
• Support is limited to five jointly selected projects under the current call.

Funding primarily supports:

• International travel
• Domestic travel related to the project
• Researcher mobility activities

The host institution is responsible for:

• Local hospitality
• Accommodation
• Intra-city transportation of visiting scholars

These arrangements should be agreed upon by both collaborating parties.

Eligible Applicants

Applicants must:

• Hold a PhD or equivalent qualification
• Be employed in a recognised academic or research institution
• Demonstrate strong academic standing
• Have relevant research experience
• Possess publications and scholarly contributions in the proposed field

Eligible institutions include:

• Publicly funded universities
• UGC-recognised deemed universities
• Publicly funded research institutions
• ICSSR-recognised institutes

Applicants should have the expertise necessary to undertake international collaborative research.

Collaboration Requirements

Each proposal must:

• Be jointly developed by Principal Investigators from India and Taiwan
• Be jointly submitted by both collaborating investigators
• Include one Indian Principal Investigator applying through ICSSR
• Include one Taiwanese Principal Investigator applying through NSTC
• Follow the designated bilateral cooperation mechanism of both agencies

Projects should demonstrate active collaboration between both research teams.

Intellectual Property and Research Outputs

Collaborating Principal Investigators are expected to:

• Mutually agree on intellectual property rights
• Establish arrangements regarding ownership of research outcomes
• Determine dissemination and management procedures before project implementation
• Ensure transparency regarding the use of research outputs

Clear agreements should be in place prior to the commencement of the project.

Publication Requirements

All resulting publications and outputs must:

• Acknowledge the support received from ICSSR
• Acknowledge the support received from NSTC
• Comply with agreed dissemination arrangements
• Reflect the collaborative nature of the research

Proper attribution is required for all project-related outputs.

Expected Outcomes

Supported projects should contribute to:

• Stronger India–Taiwan academic partnerships
• Increased international research collaboration
• High-quality scholarly outputs
• Enhanced researcher mobility
• Greater knowledge exchange
• Development of emerging research areas
• Interdisciplinary cooperation
• Strengthened institutional relationships
• Improved understanding of shared social challenges
• Long-term academic engagement

The programme encourages collaborations that generate meaningful academic and societal impact.

Assessment Criteria

Applications are assessed based on:

• Academic quality of the proposal
• Relevance to the identified research areas
• Strength of bilateral collaboration
• Research experience of the Principal Investigators
• Scholarly contributions and publications
• Innovation and significance of the proposed research
• Feasibility of implementation
• Potential impact of the expected outcomes

Projects demonstrating strong collaborative potential and academic excellence are encouraged.

Why This Program Matters

International collaboration enables researchers to address complex social challenges through diverse perspectives and shared expertise. By bringing together scholars from India and Taiwan, the programme creates opportunities for innovation, knowledge exchange, and the development of long-term academic partnerships.

The ICSSR–NSTC Joint Research Programme strengthens bilateral relationships while advancing research that contributes to policy development, cultural understanding, and societal progress.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the purpose of the ICSSR–NSTC Joint Research Programme?

• The programme promotes bilateral cooperation between India and Taiwan through scholar exchanges and jointly developed social science research projects.

How much funding is available?

• Selected projects may receive funding of up to Rs. 12,00,000 per project.

How many projects will be supported?

• Financial assistance is limited to five jointly selected projects under the current call.

Who is eligible to apply?

• Applicants must hold a PhD or equivalent qualification and be employed in eligible academic or research institutions.

How should proposals be submitted?

• Proposals must be jointly developed and co-submitted by Principal Investigators from India and Taiwan through ICSSR and NSTC respectively.

What expenses are covered under the funding?

• Funding primarily supports international and domestic travel related to researcher mobility, while host institutions cover hospitality and local arrangements.

Are there requirements regarding intellectual property and publications?

• Yes. Collaborating investigators must agree on intellectual property arrangements before implementation, and all publications must acknowledge support from ICSSR and NSTC.

Conclusion

The ICSSR–NSTC Joint Research Programme provides an important platform for scholars in India and Taiwan to develop collaborative social science research addressing emerging issues of shared interest. Through researcher exchanges, joint projects, and international partnerships, the initiative promotes academic excellence, strengthens bilateral ties, and contributes to the advancement of knowledge with social impact.

For more information, visit ICSSR.