The Ministry of Culture, Government of India initiated the Scheme for Award of Senior/Junior Fellowships to Outstanding Individuals in the Fields of Culture to help those who are committed to saving, studying, and revolutionizing in the cultural sector. For artists, academics, and scientists from suburban and rural areas, this plan offers financial support that enables them to undertake research projects on traditional and current art forms.
CCRT- Center of Cultural research and training -The program awards annually 200 Senior Fellowships and 200 Junior Fellowships. For a two-year term, senior fellows get 20,000 dollars a month whereas junior fellows get 10,000.
Fields/Areas Covered
- Performing, Literary, and Plastic Arts:
- Performing Arts: Music, Dance, Theatre, Folk Traditions, Puppetry
- Literary Arts: Travelogues, History & Theory of Literature
- Plastic Arts: Graphics, Sculpture, Painting (including Folk and Traditional Art), Creative Photography
- New Areas Related to Culture:
- Indology
- Epigraphy
- Sociology of Culture
- Cultural Economics
- Structural and Engineering Aspects of Monuments
- Numismatics
- Scientific and Technical Aspects of Conservation
- Management of Art and Heritage
- Application of Science and Technology in Cultural Research
The scheme emphasizes application-oriented and interdisciplinary research, discouraging generic theoretical studies.
Benefits of the Scheme
- Financial Support:
- Senior Fellows: ₹20,000/month for two years (applicants aged 40+ years).
- Junior Fellows: ₹10,000/month for two years (applicants aged 25–40 years).
- Publication Grant:
- Up to ₹20,000 or 50% of publication costs for selected project documents.
- Project Opportunities:
- Fellows undertake projects in research, preservation, and the revival of traditional arts.
Eligibility Criteria
Senior Fellowship:
- Applicant must be 40 years or older (as of April 1 of the application year).
- Applicant should not be receiving a pension under the Ministry of Culture’s indigent artist assistance scheme.
- Applicants who have received a Junior Fellowship earlier can apply, provided five years have elapsed since completing the earlier project.
Junior Fellowship:
- Applicant must be aged 25–40 years (as of April 1 of the application year).
- Applicant must have completed a graduate degree in the relevant field.
General Rules:
- Applicants must not have availed the same fellowship earlier (except Junior Fellowship recipients applying for Senior Fellowship).
- Employed applicants must submit a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from their employer.
- Awardees must submit progress reports every six months and complete the project within two years.
Exclusions
The scheme does not cover:
- Training, workshops, or seminars
- Memoir documentation or autobiography writing
- Fiction writing
Application Process
The application process is conducted online through the official portals of the Ministry of Culture or Centre for Cultural Resources and Training (CCRT).
Steps to Apply:
- Visit the Ministry of Culture Website.
- Click on “MOC Schemes Application” and select the relevant fellowship scheme.
- Register by filling out the required details (name, email, phone number, etc.).
- Log in with the provided credentials and access the application form.
- Complete the form and upload the required documents.
- Submit the application before the deadline.
Post-Application Process:
- An Expert Committee will review applications and shortlist candidates.
- Junior Fellowship applicants may be required to attend an interview/talk.
- Selected candidates will be notified and must complete their projects within two years.
Documents Required
- Identity Proof (Aadhaar, Passport, etc.)
- Proof of Age (Birth Certificate, Aadhaar, etc.)
- Educational Qualification Certificates
- Passport-size Photograph
- Bank Account Details
- Caste Certificate (if applicable)
- NOC/Consent Letter from Employer (if applicable)
- Declaration regarding:
- Employment status
- Previous fellowship awards
Contact Details
- Ministry of Culture:
- Section Officer (S & F): Ph. 011-24642133
- Email: scholar-culture[at]nic[dot]in
- Centre for Cultural Resources and Training (CCRT):
- Address: 15-A, Sector-7, Dwarka, New Delhi-110075
- Phone: 011-25309300, 011-25074256
- Email: dir[dot]ccrt[at]nic[dot]in
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- What is the objective of this scheme?To promote research in traditional and contemporary cultural fields and preserve India’s rich cultural heritage.
- How many fellowships are awarded annually?200 Senior Fellowships and 200 Junior Fellowships.
- What is the stipend for the fellows?₹20,000/month for Senior Fellows and ₹10,000/month for Junior Fellows.
- What are the age criteria for eligibility?Senior Fellows: 40+ years. Junior Fellows: 25–40 years.
- Can an applicant apply for both fellowships?Applicants who have received a Junior Fellowship earlier can apply for a Senior Fellowship after a gap of five years.
- Are employed applicants eligible?Yes, but they must provide an NOC and take leave for the fellowship duration.
- How can one apply for the scheme?Applications are submitted online via the Ministry of Culture or CCRT websites.