Research Study/Seminar (Grant-in-Aid Scheme)
State: Central
Ministry: Ministry Of Statistics and Programme Implementation
Department: null
Category: Education & Learning
Beneficiary Type: University / Institution, Individual

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.

Benefits:
##### ***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._
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Eligibility:
##### ***For Professional/Research Institutions/Organizations (Grant-in-Aid for Research Studies/Seminars)***

- 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: 

a)  Government institutions including Directorates of Economics and Statistics of States/Union Territories.
b)  Institutions/organizations receiving annual recurring grants from the Central or State Government Agencies including Indian Statistical Institute, Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), University Grants Commission (UGC), etc..
c)  Institutions/organizations registered as a society under the Societies Registration Act.
d)  Institutions/organizations registered as &#39;Trusts&#39; under Trusteeship Act.
e)  Institutions/organizations incorporated under the Companies Act.

- The applicant institution/organization shall be &quot;not-for-profit&quot; to be eligible for assistance under the Scheme for National and International Seminars/Conferences/Workshops etc. on official statistics.

##### ***For Officials (Travel Grants Assistance - TGA)***

- The applicant must be an official of the Central Government/Central autonomous institutions/university.
- The applicant&#39;s visit must relate to the area of work of the officer.
- The applicant&#39;s technical paper should have been submitted through proper official channel in such event and not out of the officer&#39;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.

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Application Process:
[Online]
Step 1: Application Preparation and Proposal FormattingThe applicant institution/organization seeking financial assistance should take print of the prescribed format.
For research studies, the proposal must contain four distinct parts: a forwarding letter, a profile of the institution (not exceeding two pages), technical details, and financial details. 
*The technical details must be furnished concisely, completely, and logically, detailing the objectives, methodology, specific outputs envisaged, and likely potential and value addition to official statistics.
Step 2: Submission of Application and Supporting DocumentsThe proposal should be submitted to the Additional Director General, Training Division, Central Statistical Organisation (CSO), Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI). 
The applications can be sent via email to training-mospi@nic.in (for studies) or training-mospi@gov.in (for Travel Grants Assistance). 
Application DeadlinesFor Seminars/Conferences, the proposal must be submitted at least six months in advance from the date of the event. 
For Travel Grants Assistance, the application should reach the Ministry at least six months before the proposed event for consideration.

Documents Required:
During Application For Research Study/Project1. Forwarding Letter Along with An Undertaking From The Head of The Institution (Format I).
2. Profile of The Institution Indicating Its Technical Capabilities (Format II) (Must Not Exceed Two Pages).
3. Technical Details of The Proposal (Format III).
4. Financial Details of The Proposal (Format IV).
5. One Copy Each of The Reports of Three Best Projects Completed By The Organization At The Time of Making The Request.
6. Copy of The Registration Certificate (Required For Institutions Registered Under Societies Registration Act, Trusteeship Act, Or Incorporated Under Companies Act).
7. Audited Annual Reports and Balance Sheets For The Last Three Years (Required For Institutions Registered Under Societies Registration Act, Trusteeship Act, Or Incorporated Under Companies Act; Not Applicable For New Institutions/Organizations).
8. Details of Payment of Service Tax (Required For Institutions Registered Under Societies Registration Act, Trusteeship Act, Or Incorporated Under Companies Act).
9. Details of Professional Staff Regularly Employed By The Institution.
10. Details of Computer and Infrastructure Facility Available.
11. Details of Major Projects Completed During Last Five Years (Experience of Members/Directors For New Institutions/Organizations).
12. Activity Time Schedule (Gantt Chart).
13. Staffing Time Schedule (Gantt Chart).
14. Curriculum Vitae of Each Expert (Including Project Director).
15. Cancelled Cheque/Details of The Organization's Account Number, Indian Financial System Code (IFSC), and Customer Identification Number (CIN) In Whose Name Online National Electronic Funds Transfer (NEFT) Is To Be Made.
 
For Seminar/Conference/Workshop1. Forwarding Letter Along with An Undertaking From The Head of The Institution (Format I).
2. Application For Grant–in–Aid For Holding National/International Seminar/Conference/Workshops (Format IX).
3. Profile of The Institution (Must Not Exceed Two Pages, Including Brief Details of Similar Workshop/Seminar/Conference Conducted During The Last Two Years).
4. One Copy Each of The Proceedings of Workshop/Seminar etc., Conducted By Them At The Time of Making The Request.
5. Document of Acceptance Or Confirmation of Participation By Key Participants Along with The Subject Matter of Their Research Papers Or Lectures To Be Presented (Required For International Seminars/Conferences/Workshops).
6. Copy of Approval From Ministry of External Affairs (MEA)/Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) (Required For International Seminars).
 
For Travel Grants Assistance - TGA1. Application Form In The Prescribed Proforma (Proforma X) Duly Recommended By The Head of The Institution.
2. Certificate of Proof From The Head of The Institution That The Travel Expenditure of The Candidate Cannot Be Met From The Institute Resources.
3. Photocopy of The Certificate In Support of Academic Qualifications In Statistics.
4. Official Invitation From The Host To The Administrative Ministry/Department/Organization.
5. Documentary Evidence of Acceptance of The Paper For Presentation By The Organizing Agencies.
6. Proof That The Technical Paper Was Submitted Through Proper Official Channel.
7. Proof of Necessary Clearance (Political Clearance From Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) Clearance From Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), Wherever Required).
8. Full Copy of The Paper Proposed To Be Presented.
 
For Benefit Disbursal/Continuation/Claiming1. Progress Reports (Quarterly Financial and Physical Progress Reports Are Obligatory).
2. Utilization Certificates (Format VII) (Required For Second and Subsequent Installments).
3. Utilization and Audit Certificates (Format VII and VIII) Certified By Chartered Accountant (Required For Non-Government Organizations, Including Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs)).
4. Bond On A Non-Judicial Stamp Paper of Rupees one hundred only (Format V(A)) (Required For Institutions/Organizations Receiving Assistance, Except Government Institutions and Those Receiving Annual Recurring Grants).
5. Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) (Format V(B)) (Required For Government Institutions and Those Receiving Annual Recurring Grants From Central Or State Government Agencies).
6. Bank Guarantee Equivalent To First Installment (Required For Non–Governmental Institutions Seeking Advance Installment).
7. Statement of Expenditure (Detailed Item-Wise Expenditure) Duly Certified By The Organization (Required For Reimbursement of Second Installment For Seminars).
8. Soft Copies and 3 Printed Copies of Proceeding/Report of The Workshop/Seminar/Conference (Required For Reimbursement of Second Installment For Seminars).
9. Proof of Participation of Foreign Delegates Such As Photocopy of Passport, Visa, Air Tickets and Boarding Pass of All Key Participants (Required For Reimbursement For International Seminar Events).
10. Receipts of Expenditure and Item-Wise Details (Required For Final Adjustment/Settlement For Travel Grants Assistance, Within A Fortnight).
11. Certificate From Organizers Stating The Applicant Presented The Paper (Required For Travel Grants Assistance, Within 30 Days of Conclusion).
12. Hard Copy As Well As Soft Copy of The Presentation Made During The Conference (Required For Travel Grants Assistance, Within 30 Days of Conclusion).
13. Detailed Report On The Presentation of The Paper (Required For Travel Grants Assistance, Within 30 Days of Conclusion).