Tagore National Scholarship for Cultural Research

Description
The Scheme “Tagore National Scholarship for Cultural Research” has been introduced to invigorate and revitalize the various institutions under the Ministry of Culture MoC and other identified cultural institutions in the country, by encouraging scholars/academicians to affiliate themselves with these institutions to work on projects of mutual interest. With a view to infusing fresh knowledge capital into the institutions, the scheme expects these scholars/academicians to select specific resources of the institutions to use in their projects and take up research works that are related to the main objectives of these institutions. It is also expected that the research work would enrich the institution with a new creative edge and academic excellence. Nodal Institutions Participating Institutions : The Scheme shall cover the institutions under the Ministry of Culture MoC , as listed in the Guidelines https://www.indiaculture.gov.in/sites/default/files/Schemes/TNFCR%20Guidelines 14-07-2023 17072023.pdf , and may cover other such institutions in the future. The scheme will also cover Non-MoC institutions with cultural resources like manuscripts, artifacts, antiquities, books, publications, records, etc., and seek to take advantage of the scheme by engaging distinguished Scholars to work on its resources and also known for its rich publications. The nodal institutions both MoC and non-MoC are classified into four groups broadly based on their different areas of specialization, focus, and resources. The classification is as follows: 1. Group-A: Archaeology, Antiquities, Museums & Galleries 2. Group-B: Archives, Libraries and General Scholarship 3. Group-C: Anthropology & Sociology 4. Group D: Crafts, Performing/Visual/Literary Arts Scope of the Scheme: The scope of the Scheme is to enable the identified cultural institutions to engage Scholars of outstanding merit, to work on research projects in order to unravel their unexplored resources. For purposes of convenience, monitoring, accounting, and responsibility, one of the institutions listed above would be the ‘Nodal Institution’ for each project, and the Scholars will be attached/anchored to that institution. Duration of the Scholarship: - The duration of the Tagore Scholarship is up to 2 years. - In exceptional cases, the institution may recommend to the NSC an extension for a period of up to one more year, or a reduction to somewhat less than two years, if it is supported by its assessment of the quality of the work undertaken. However, in the case of extension, the Scholar won’t be eligible for any remuneration including contingency. - The award of the Scholarship will commence from the date of joining and the ‘months’ and ‘years’ will be reckoned accordingly. Number of Scholarships: - The scheme envisages the granting of up to 25 Scholarships in a year. - Each nodal institution can be awarded 1 Scholarship or a maximum of 2 scholarships in a year. However, the MoC has the discretionary power to relax these numbers. Administration of the Scheme: The total number of Scholarships administered by the institutions may be decided by the Ministry of Culture from time to time, in consultation with the participating institutions. This will be based on certain criteria such as the size of its untapped holdings, physical facilities already existing in the institution, the capacity of the institution to guide and inspire the Scholars to get the best out of them, its past record in publication and research, need for research/study in a particular area, etc. An amount of up to 2% of the total allocation may be set aside for meeting expenses related to the administration of the scheme including monitoring, implementation, inspection, review, etc. of the research work carried out by the Scholars, through outsourcing or Consultants.

Benefits
• Infrastructural support will be provided by the Nodal Institution to the Scholars to enable them to conduct their research. This may include the provision of a computer with peripherals and connectivity, working space in the institution’s premises, providing a congenial atmosphere to carry out research, etc. Other facilities, like appropriate seating arrangements, library facilities, etc., will also be made available.
• One important advantage of this scheme will be the access of the Scholars to national institutions for study and avail original and rare research material. In respect of foreign Scholars engaged under this scheme, necessary political/security clearances from the concerned Ministries/Departments shall be obtained by the Ministry of Culture.
• Encouragement and financial support may also be given to enable the Scholars to present papers at conferences hosted by the concerned institution or other related organizations and institutions, which will be met out/reimbursed, on an ‘actuals’ basis, with a ceiling of ₹1.00 lakh per annum, provided adequate academic interaction is arranged.

Eligibility Criteria
1. A scholar with good academic credentials at least one publication, either a book or a research paper in reputed journals, and 2 years of research/teaching experience will be eligible to apply for the Tagore National Scholarships.
2. This scheme also gives opportunities to young artists/performers to apply for the scholarship.
3. The scholars also need to identify a nodal institution from the list given in [Appendix B](https://www.indiaculture.gov.in/sites/default/files/Schemes/TNFCR%20Guidelines_14-07-2023_17072023.pdf) according to their preferences/expertise to conduct original research preferably by using the sources of the same institution. The research work may also include the identification and cataloging of sources available with the institution or the archiving and creation of new sources that the institution should have. (Guidelines for preparing research proposal are given in [Appendix A](https://www.indiaculture.gov.in/sites/default/files/Schemes/TNFCR%20Guidelines_14-07-2023_17072023.pdf))
4. > **Areas of Research and Eligible Projects:**
5. The selected Scholars will normally work on a project that benefits the Nodal Institution in terms of unraveling its resources. The subject of research should be one that can be usefully pursued with the resources and facilities of the Nodal Institution awarding the Scholarship, though he/she will be free to draw on the resources and facilities of other institutions, as well.
6. If the subject of research extends to more than one institution or the Scholar otherwise needs to draw upon the resources and facilities of other institution(s), the Nodal Institution awarding the Scholarship would recommend the Scholars to such other institution(s). In rare cases, where two institutions appear to be of almost equal importance to the Scholars, the second institution may be deemed to be the ‘Co-institution’ and the two may sign a Tripartite MoU regarding Intellectual Property, Publication, Credit sharing, facilities, etc. but accounting shall be with the Nodal Institution.
7. Since the Scheme is focused on unraveling the cultural resources of the Nodal Institution, the project must be driven in that direction, that is, to use substantially the resources of the Nodal Institution. The inputs required for the project should have a very strong linkage with the resources available with the Nodal Institution and (in rare cases) the Co-institution.
8. At the end of it, the project outcome must be beneficial for the Nodal Institution or co-institution, if any, and must add to the existing knowledge of the institution/subject.

Required Documents
• Identity proof i.e. Aadhaar Card
• Passport-size Photograph
• Qualifications certificates
• Caste certificate, if applicable
• Disability certificate, if applicable
• Details of Publications, if any (including publication presentation of papers, performances, awards, recognitions, etc., if separately)
• A write-up/synopsis of proposed research work
• A short write-up along with application - How the proposed research project is going to be beneficial to the Nodal Institution.
• NoC, if a regular Central/State Government Employee
• Any other document, as required

Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the “Tagore National Scholarship for Cultural Research” Scheme?
A: The Scheme has been introduced to invigorate and revitalize the various institutions under the Ministry of Culture (MoC) and other identified cultural institutions in the country, by encouraging Scholars/academicians to affiliate themselves with these institutions to work on projects of mutual interest.

Q: Which is the implementing agency of this scheme?
A: Institutions under the Ministry of Culture, Government of India

Q: Who are eligible to apply under the scheme?
A: A scholar with good academic credentials at least one publication, either a book or a research paper in reputed journals, and 2 years of research/teaching experience will be eligible to apply for the Tagore National Scholarships.

Q: What is the number of Scholarships awarded annually?
A: The scheme envisages the granting of up to 25 Scholarships in a year.

Q: What is the scope of this Scheme?
A: The scope of the Scheme is to enable the identified cultural institutions to engage Scholars of outstanding merit, to work on research projects in order to unravel their unexplored resources. For purposes of convenience, monitoring, accounting, and responsibility, one of the institutions listed above would be the 'Nodal Institution' for each project, and the Scholars will be attached/anchored to that institution.

Q: Can young artists/performers apply for the scholarship?
A: Yes, this scheme also gives opportunities to young artists/performers to apply for the scholarship.

Q: Can a candidate apply again for a Scholarship under this scheme, Once awarded a Tagore National Scholarship?
A: No, the scholarship shall not be awarded again to the same candidate.

Q: How much will the monthly Scholarship be given to the eligible Scholar?
A: The scholarship honorarium will be [?]50,000/- per month. However, if the scholar is from a University, College, Research Institute, or Government set-up in India, he/she would be entitled to the same pay, including grade pay, etc., which he/she would have drawn had he/she continued in his/her parent organization.

Q: How much will the contingency grant to be paid to the eligible Scholars?
A: In case of scholars selected as Tagore Scholars under Non-MoC institutions, will also be paid a contingency grant by the Ministry on an 'actuals basis' up to a maximum ceiling of [?]10,000/- per month and such other allowances/benefits provided in this scheme depending on the nature and the duration of the project subject to the verification of the bills by the Nodal Institutions.

Q: What is the duration of the Scholarship?
A: The duration of the Tagore Scholarship is up to 2 years.

Q: Will the Scholars be entitled to receive a House Rent Allowance?
A: Yes, the selected Scholar will be entitled to receive a House Rent Allowance of up to 30% of the honorarium.

Q: How can an applicant apply for the scheme?
A: The applicants may submit their application form, prepared according to the prescribed guidelines of the Scheme, to any one of the Nodal Institutions of his/her choice depending upon the area of research proposed to be undertaken.