The Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR) and the National Science and Technology Council (NSTC), Taipei, Taiwan, have announced a joint call for research proposals for 2025. This initiative aims to foster bilateral cooperation in social sciences and humanities through joint research projects between Indian and Taiwanese researchers.

Focus and Objectives

The primary focus of this call is to encourage collaboration on new and emerging themes of mutual importance. The goal is to strengthen relationships between Indian and Taiwanese researchers in the social sciences and humanities. Proposals should emphasize topics that benefit both countries and contribute to the advancement of knowledge.

The collaborative research projects must be jointly discussed and submitted by the Principal Investigators from both India and Taiwan. The Indian host must apply to the ICSSR, while the Taiwanese host must apply to the NSTC for "bilateral agreement expansion" under the "Add-on International Cooperation Research Project."

This joint initiative seeks to promote high-quality research and academic exchange between India and Taiwan, fostering a deeper understanding of shared challenges and opportunities.

Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible, applicants must be employed in a research or academic position at a recognized institution. This includes publicly funded universities/colleges, deemed universities recognized by the UGC, publicly funded research institutes, or ICSSR research institutes.

Applicants must hold a PhD or equivalent qualification. They should demonstrate an interest in high-quality research, evidenced by past studies, publications, and academic background.

• Must be employed in a research or academic position
• Hold a PhD or equivalent qualification
• Demonstrate interest in high-quality research

Research Areas

The call welcomes proposals from a wide range of disciplines within the social sciences and humanities. These areas include, but are not limited to, economics, sociology, political science, psychology, and cultural studies.

Specific areas of collaboration include: Economic/ Commerce/ Management/ Business Administration, Sociology and Social Anthropology/ Social Work/ Demography/ Gender Studies, Political Science/International Relations/ Geography/ Public Administration, Psychology/ Education/ Criminology/ Law, Linguistics (literature also included), Cultural Studies (Arts also included), Area Studies, History, Buddhist Studies, Philosophy, AI and Society (social impact).

Proposals that address interdisciplinary themes and demonstrate a clear potential for impact are highly encouraged.

• Artificial Intelligence
• Material Science
• Life Science
• Microbiology
• Environmental Science

Funding Details

A total of five (5) joint research projects will be supported under this call. The financial support is primarily intended for the mobility of researchers between India and Taiwan.

The maximum funding available for each project is Rs. 12,00,000 (Rupees Twelve Lakh only). This amount is intended to cover the costs associated with international and domestic travel.

The visiting party will cover the expenses for international and domestic (inter-city) air travel. The receiving party will cover local hospitality expenses, including boarding, lodging, and local ground transportation.

Important Dates and Submission

The application period is from June 02, 2025 to August 01, 2025. The deadline for submitting proposals is August 01, 2025.

Peer review will be completed by October 14, 2025, and the results will be announced in December 2025. The execution period for the joint projects is from January 1, 2026 to December 31, 2027, a duration of 2 years.

Applications must be submitted electronically and in hard copy to ICSSR by the Indian researchers. Proposals submitted unilaterally will not be considered. The application form and guidelines are available at www.icssr.org.

Key Considerations

Joint research projects will undergo peer review by both ICSSR and NSTC. Applications that do not meet the eligibility requirements, exceed the deadline, or are incomplete will not be accepted.

Principal Investigators from both sides must agree on the ownership and management of intellectual property rights and achievements. A project contract can be signed if necessary.

Due acknowledgement of support from ICSSR and NSTC must be included in any publication resulting from the joint research projects. This is a mandatory condition for receiving the grant.