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Education & Learning

Research Study/Seminar (Grant-in-Aid Scheme)

The scheme aims to promote Research Studies, Seminars, and Travel Grants Assistance in official statistics. It provides financial assistance and data support to eligible research institutions/organizations and Central Government officials to bridge data gaps.

Authority

Central

Region

Central Government

Status

Verified 2026

Updated

March 2026

What you get

Financial Assistance | - Financial assistance for Research Studies/Surveys would be up to a maximum of ₹50,00,000/-. | - In exceptional cases, the limit for Research Studies/Surveys could be enhanced up to ₹1,00,00,000/- with the approval of the Secretary, Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI). | - The quantum of financial assistance for National Seminars/Workshops/Conferences will be maximum ₹10,00,000/-. | - The quantum of financial assistance for International Seminars/Workshops/Conferences will be maximum ₹20,00,000/-. | - Financial assistance is provided towards the travel cost and related expenditures for presentation of accepted research papers in Theoretical/Applied Statistics in International Conferences/Seminars/Workshops, etc., held outside India. Such assistance includes airfare, registration fee, airport tax, visa fee, and per diem, as per the Government rules in force. | Conditions | - Research Studies/Surveys: The assistance will be released in three installments in the proportion of 40:40:20. | - Seminars/Workshops/Conferences: The amount will be released in two installments: the First installment of 50% before/during the Seminars/Workshops/Conferences after approval, and the remaining 50% based on actual expenditure as reimbursement. | - Travel Grants Assistance: The return air ticket (to and from) of a national carrier, i.e., Air India, will be provided by the shortest air route for the economy class. Financial assistance towards travel cost will cover all expenditures on travel between the place of work or place of residence and the airport in India, and between the airport abroad and the venue of the conference. | _*Release of assistance is linked to specific milestones to be achieved as per the time schedule indicated in the proposal and is aligned to the duration of the project._

Who can apply

The applicant must be a professional/research institution/organization.; The applicant must be engaged in the field of official statistics for a minimum period of three (3) years.; The applicant must possess qualified statisticians, economists, and social scientists.; The applicant must fall into one of the following categories:; The applicant institution/organization shall be "not-for-profit" to be eligible for assistance under the Scheme for National and International Seminars/Conferences/Workshops etc. on official statistics.; The applicant must be an official of the Central Government/Central autonomous institutions/university.; The applicant's visit must relate to the area of work of the officer.; The applicant's technical paper should have been submitted through proper official channel in such event and not out of the officer's own volition.; The applicant must have an official invitation from the host organization to the administrative Ministry/Department/Organization.; The applicant must have appropriate documentary evidence of acceptance of the paper for presentation by the agencies organizing the international statistical conferences/seminar/workshop, etc..; The applicant must have obtained all necessary clearances, including political clearance from the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), and Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) clearance from the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) (wherever required).; The applicant must not have had more than one proposal recommended for travel grants during the financial year for presenting their paper abroad.

Required Paperwork

  • Aadhaar Card
  • PAN Card
  • Income Certificate
  • Residence Proof (Domicile)

Common Questions

Are there specific government employees or academic personnel who are eligible to seek financial assistance under the Travel Grants Assistance component of the scheme?

Travel Grants Assistance is exclusively available for officials of the Central Government, Central autonomous institutions, or university personnel.

If my institution focuses on research related to official statistics, what minimum staffing capability is required regarding statisticians, economists, and social scientists?

The institution must have qualified statisticians, economists, and social scientists on its staff.

If I have already received assistance for presenting a research paper abroad during this current financial year, can I still submit a separate request for this type of grant?

An applicant official will not be recommended for more than one proposal for Travel Grant Assistance during the current financial year if the purpose is presenting their paper abroad.

What specific areas of statistical inquiry are ineligible for funding, particularly regarding the theoretical nature of the research work?

The proposals relating strictly to pure theoretical research in statistics are not eligible for financial assistance.

For an officer seeking travel grants, must the topic of the paper being presented at the international conference be directly related to the specific duties and responsibilities of the officer?

Yes, the purpose of the visit must be directly related to the area of work of the concerned officer.

What is the minimum operational history required for a professional or research institution working in the field of official statistics to be considered eligible for grant assistance?

The professional or research institution or organization must have been engaged in the field of official statistics for a minimum period of three (3) years.

When submitting a proposal for travel funds to an international statistical conference, what official proof is required to demonstrate that my paper has been accepted for presentation?

You must provide appropriate documentary evidence confirming the acceptance of the paper for presentation by the agencies organizing the international statistical conference, seminar, or workshop.

Are all proposals concerning statistics research eligible for funding, or are there specific types of academic activities that are specifically excluded from financial assistance?

Proposals for holding annual meetings of statistical associations or societies will not be eligible for financial assistance.

If the Project Director or certain experts are regular, salaried employees of the applicant institution, can their existing salaries be covered or charged to the scheme's budget during the project duration?

The salary of the Project Director or Experts, if they are already working as regular employees of the institute, cannot be charged from the project cost during the project period.

What are the mandatory governmental permissions, such as clearance from the Ministry of External Affairs and the Ministry of Home Affairs, that I must secure before submitting my application for travel assistance?

All necessary clearances must have been obtained, including political clearance from the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), and Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) clearance from the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), wherever required.

If my organization is seeking a Grant-in-Aid specifically for hosting a National or International Seminar, Conference, or Workshop on official statistics, what status must the organization hold?

For the purpose of Grant-in-Aid for National and International Seminars, Conferences, or Workshops, the institution or organization shall be registered as "not-for-profit" to be eligible for assistance under this Scheme.

When applying for assistance to present a technical paper internationally, is it acceptable if the paper was developed solely through the officer's independent choice or private endeavor?

No, the technical paper must have been submitted through the proper official channel for the event and not solely out of the officer's own volition.

Since various types of expenses are covered by the scheme, is financial assistance provided for the acquisition of new infrastructure or permanent assets related to the project?

No, financial assistance is explicitly not available for the purpose of incurring any capital expenditure.

If an official receives a direct invitation from the host organization to attend an international event, should this invitation be addressed only to the individual officer, or to a higher authority?

An official invitation must be available from the host organization, and it must be addressed to the officer's administrative Ministry, Department, or Organization.