The Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR), operating under India’s Ministry of Education, in partnership with the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS), has formally announced the FY 2027 Joint Call for Research Proposals. The initiative is designed to deepen bilateral academic cooperation between India and Japan through structured joint research projects and academic seminars in the fields of social sciences and humanities. The program continues a long-standing institutional collaboration aimed at fostering sustainable research networks, enhancing scholarly exchange, and supporting the development of early-career researchers in both countries. Program Overview and Strategic Objectives of India–Japan Collaboration The ICSSR–JSPS initiative is structured to promote long-term academic engagement between Indian and Japanese researchers. It focuses on building institutional partnerships that extend beyond short-term academic exchanges and contribute to sustained knowledge production. The key objectives of the program include: Strengthening bilateral research collaboration between India and Japan Supporting high-quality joint research projects in social sciences and humanities Facilitating academic seminars for knowledge exchange and dissemination Promoting participation of young and early-career researchers Enhancing policy-relevant and socio-economic research outcomes The initiative is implemented under formal bilateral agreements and supports both joint research projects and joint seminars hosted in either India or Japan. Eligibility Requirements for Applicants and Research Teams ICSSR has defined strict eligibility conditions for Indian applicants participating in the program. Eligible applicants must hold permanent academic or research positions in recognized institutions, including publicly funded universities, UGC-approved deemed universities, or ICSSR-recognized research institutions. Key eligibility requirements include: Applicants must hold a PhD or equivalent qualification Demonstrated academic and research track record is required Japanese researchers must be affiliated with JSPS-recognized institutions Third-country participation is restricted in joint research projects In seminars, third-country researchers may participate if they bear their own expenses Joint research projects are permitted for up to two years, while joint seminars are limited to a maximum duration of one week. Funding Provisions and Financial Support Structure ICSSR provides financial assistance to Indian research teams through their affiliated institutions, which are responsible for fund administration and compliance with financial guidelines. For joint research projects, funding includes: International airfare between India and Japan Domestic travel costs for Indian researchers Consumables, printing, communication, and meeting expenses Honoraria and other approved research-related expenditures A key guideline recommends that more than 50 percent of the total budget should be allocated to travel-related costs to support international collaboration. For joint seminars, funding provisions differ based on location: Seminars hosted in India: Domestic travel for Indian participants Travel and maintenance support for Japanese researchers Meeting and administrative expenses Seminars hosted in Japan: International airfare for Indian researchers Domestic preparatory meeting costs in India Administrative and meeting expenses for Indian teams Application Process and Submission Guidelines Applications must be submitted by Indian researchers via email and hard copy no later than 3 September 2026. Japanese researchers are required to submit applications separately through JSPS according to their institutional procedures. Submission requirements include: Completed ICSSR prescribed application forms Simultaneous submission to ICSSR and JSPS Detailed research proposal and budget breakdown Disclosure of previous ICSSR-supported international research outcomes, if applicable Applications should be addressed to the ICSSR ICG Division in New Delhi, while Japanese submissions must follow JSPS official guidelines. Selection Criteria and Evaluation Framework The selection process involves independent reviews by ICSSR and JSPS, followed by joint finalization of selected proposals. Evaluation criteria include: Scientific excellence and originality of research proposals Relevance and necessity of India–Japan collaboration Expected socio-economic and policy impact Inclusion of early-career researchers Feasibility and clarity of research methodology Budget justification and financial planning Contribution to academic networking and knowledge exchange Additional considerations include the quality of international collaboration and appropriateness of resource allocation. Compliance, Ethics, and Institutional Responsibilities Selected projects must adhere to strict ethical, financial, and administrative guidelines. ICSSR emphasizes transparency, accountability, and research integrity throughout project implementation. Key obligations include: Proper fund management through recognized institutions Submission of final reports for public dissemination Mandatory acknowledgement of ICSSR and JSPS in publications Completion of research ethics training for project participants Compliance with anti-plagiarism and research misconduct regulations ICSSR reserves the right to terminate funding or recover disbursed funds in cases of misuse or violation of guidelines. Additional Guidelines and Implementation Notes The program includes several operational and legal considerations: Intellectual property generated must be properly managed and protected ICSSR does not provide visa facilitation or accommodation support Travel-related risks remain the responsibility of participating researchers Both Indian and Japanese teams must submit matching applications for eligibility Funding responsibilities are divided such that the sending country generally covers international travel costs, while the receiving country supports domestic expenses and seminar logistics. Conclusion: Advancing India–Japan Academic Cooperation The FY 2027 ICSSR–JSPS Joint Call for Research Proposals represents a strategic effort to strengthen academic diplomacy between India and Japan. By supporting structured research collaboration in social sciences and humanities, the program aims to enhance global knowledge exchange, improve research quality, and foster emerging scholars across both nations. Researchers are encouraged to submit competitive, policy-relevant proposals that demonstrate strong methodological rigor and meaningful international collaboration. VISIT OFFICIAL WEBSITE TO APPLY For more opportunities such as these please follow us on Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, Twitter, LinkedIn and WPChannel Disclaimer: Global South Opportunities (GSO) is not the organization offering this opportunity. For any inquiries, please contact the official organization directly. Please do not send your applications & CVs to GSO, as we are unable to process them. Due to the high volume of emails, we receive daily, we may not be able to respond to all inquiries. Thank you for your understanding.