Seminar / Conference / Workshop Proposals

The ICSSR North-Western Regional Centre (NWRC), Chandigarh, offers financial assistance to universities and colleges within its jurisdiction for organizing theme-oriented seminars, conferences, and workshops. These academic events are aimed at  high-quality research in social sciences by facilitating dialogue, collaboration, and exchange of ideas among researchers, faculty members, and policy-makers. Grants of up to ₹1,50,000/- may be awarded per approved proposal, subject to review by the Seminar Grant Committee.

Additionally, the Regional Centre organizes collaborative seminars with academic institutions under its Outreach Programme.

1.1 Objectives:

The objectives of the grant scheme are to:

• Provide partial financial support for organizing academic events of regional, national, or international relevance in the domain of social sciences.
• Encourage research on socially relevant and policy-oriented themes.
• Promote seminars in underrepresented and backward regions.
• Encourage interaction between scholars from diverse backgrounds and disciplines to enhance the quality and impact of social science research.

1.2 Nature and Scope of Proposals:

• Proposals must focus on contemporary and policy-relevant themes within social sciences or interdisciplinary social science areas.
• Themes must reflect coherence, clarity, and research focus. Proposals lacking significant social science content will not be considered.
• The academic credentials of the Convener and participants should align with the proposed theme.
• The Concept Note should include:
  (a) Background
  (b) Objectives
  (c) Research questions
  (d) Main and sub-themes
  (e) Expected academic/policy contributions
• Proposals should demonstrate potential for broad academic participation and regional/national relevance.

1.3 Eligibility Criteria:

The following are eligible to apply:

• Institutions: Public-funded universities, colleges, ICSSR-recognized research institutions, institutes of national importance, and registered academic associations from the North-Western Region (Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, UTs of J&K, Ladakh, and Chandigarh).
• Private Institutions: Must provide valid UGC 12B certification.
• Convener Eligibility: Regular faculty with a Ph.D. degree. Ph.D./PDF scholars may participate in organizing committees but cannot serve as conveners.
• Repeat Grants: Applicants who received a grant for a national/international seminar must wait for two financial years before reapplying.
• Only one proposal per applicant is allowed in a financial year.

Note: Applicants must intend to publish the seminar outcomes (e.g., conference proceedings, edited volumes, or journal papers) with due acknowledgment to ICSSR.

1.3A Broad Thrust Areas in Social Sciences:

Regional Centres will be encouraged to undertake social science research and involve social scientists and scholars of their respective regions to actively participate and contribute in thrust areas of research related to their region under 28 broad domains listed below: 

Contact us via email at [icssrnwrc@yahoo.com]

1.4 Application Process:

Interested applicants must:

1. Download the application form from www.icssrnwrc.org and submit a hard copy of the duly filled form with the following enclosures:
   • Forwarding letter and undertaking from the Head of Institution.
   • Detailed Concept Note (500–1000 words) outlining theme, objectives, research questions, and relevance (Annexure A).
   • Tentative session-wise programme (Annexure B).
   • List of paper presenters/speakers with affiliations (Annexure C).
   • Detailed budget estimate (Annexure D).
   • CV of Convener (3-4 pages) (Annexure E).
   • Caste/Disability certificate (if applicable) (Annexure F).
   • UGC 12B Certificate (for private institutions).
2. Submit the complete application form within the timeline.
3. Ensure that all seminar materials (application, concept note, and final proceedings) are in English, Hindi, or Punjabi.
4. After online submission, send a hard copy to:

The Honorary Director.
Indian Council of Social Science Research.
North-Western Regional Centre.
Panjab University Campus, Sector-14.
Chandigarh – 160014, India.

Incomplete or late applications will not be considered.

ICSSR-NWRC Guidelines for Seminars, Lectures, and Research Projects

1.5 Monitoring & Fund Release:

1. Institutions must disclose financial support received from other sources.
   b. Funds are released in two installments:

• 1st Installment (75%): Upon receiving a Grant-in-Aid Bill (pre-receipt) signed by institutional authorities and an undertaking.
• 2nd Installment (25% or remaining balance): After submission of:
  • Audited expenditure statement
  • Utilization Certificate (GFR 12-A)
  • Final programme schedule
  • Full set of presented papers (hard & soft copy)
  • Summary and day-wise report of the seminar
  • Photographs (5–6 max) and participant list
  • Proof of publication, if any
  • Refund of unspent balance (if applicable)
  • Documents must be submitted within 30 days post-seminar.
• All payments to speakers/participants should be made via cheque or bank transfer.

1.6 Seminar Award Process:

• Applications are scrutinized by the Regional Centre, then evaluated by the Seminar Grant Committee. Final approval comes from the Chairman (Vice-Chancellor) and ICSSR New Delhi.

1.7 Duration & Financial Limits:

• National/International/Collaborative Seminars: Maximum grant of ₹1.5 lakh.
• Final amount depends on proposal quality, relevance, location, and participants.

1.8 Budget Heads:

Grants may cover:

1. Travel (TA/DA, accommodation)
2. Hospitality
3. Printing & Stationery
4. Honorarium (only to keynote/presidential speakers and support staff)
5. Contingencies

1.9 Fund Disbursement:

• 1st Installment (75%): Released after sanction and submission of pre-receipt grant-in-aid bill and undertaking.
• 2nd Installment (25%): Released post submission of:
  • Audited accounts & Utilization Certificate
  • Two hard-bound sets of seminar papers
  • Summary of proceedings
  • Grant-in-aid bill
  • Photographs (soft copy)
  • Proof of refund of unspent funds (if any)

1.10 Seminar/Workshop Requirements:

• Must focus on empirical research in North-Western India (Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, J&K, Ladakh, Chandigarh).
• Include sub-themes, research questions, and impact in the concept note (500 words each).
• Only participants from the North-Western region are eligible for TA (exceptions: 1–2 from Delhi).
• Seminar duration: maximum 2 days
• No honorarium except for keynote/presidential speakers.
• Gifts/mementos are not allowed.
• Use of funds must follow institutional rules; publication costs are excluded.
• Final grant settlement and reports must be submitted within 30 days.
• ICSSR reserves rights to audit, observe, or reject proposals.

1.11 Download forms:

• Forwarding Letter NWRC