1. Applicant's eligibility:
   Applicants (Principal Investigators (PI) and Co-Principal Investigator(s) (Co-PI(s)) should be Indian citizens. Foreign nationals (including OCI and PIO) employed in recognized academic/R&D institution as described under the institutional affiliation category are eligible to apply provided they fulfil eligibility criteria notified by ANRF.
2. Institutional Affiliation:
   The Principal Investigator (PI) and all associated investigators must hold regular academic or research positions in an academic institution recognized by UGC/AICTE/PCI/ or publicly funded organization/laboratory under a ministry/Department, or a Private R&D institution recognized by DSIR-SIRO.
3. Intra-Institutional Collaboration:
   Proposals must involve interdisciplinary collaboration within the institution. Faculty from Social Sciences and Humanities may collaborate with experts in Science and Engineering disciplines within the same institution.
4. Project Leadership:
   The Investigator from the Social Sciences or Humanities with proven track record in the relevant domain will serve as the Principal Investigator, who will lead the proposed project.
5. Role Definitions:
   The investigators from the collaborative departments such as Science Engineering and Technology or from the department of Humanities and Social Sciences will serve as Co-principal Investigators (Co-PIs). One co-PI (s) is mandate from the respective disciplines.
6. Academic Qualifications:
   The Principal Investigator must hold a doctoral degree in Social Sciences or Humanities. Co-Principal Investigator(s) in Science, or Engineering discipline should also hold a doctorate degree. The above criteria is relaxed for co-investigators in the fields of Social Sciences and Humanities. Investigators with Master's degree and atleast 5 years of academic/research experience in the social sciences/humanities are also eligible to serve as co-PI.
7. Research Experience:
   The Principal Investigators and co-Principal Investigator must have considerable research experience in the proposed field of study and having demonstrable research track record in terms of publications in quality peer-reviewed journals, books, reports, etc.. The co-principal investigators (co-PIs) from the field of Social sciences and humanities should have minimum two or more peer-reviewed publications in quality journals, book chapters, reports, etc.
8. Team Composition:
   A team of investigators from different disciplines ( Social sciences / humanities / Science / Engineering) must be collaborated to conduct research. Each proposal should have one Principal Investigators and minimum of two Co-Principal Investigators (Co-PIs). One from the social sciences or humanities and another experts from Sciences, Engineering or technology discipline. The centres can also involve investigators from management science disciplines as a strategic partners to provide practical solutions for implementation in real world condition.
9. Service Requirement:
   The Principal Investigator (PI) and Co-Principal Investigators (Co-PIs) should have at least 6 years of service remaining before superannuation by the time of submission of application.
10. Research Associates, Postdoctoral fellows, Ad-hoc faculty, Visiting Scientists, consultants, project fellow and faculty members whose contract is renewed every year are not eligible as PIs or CO-PIs. ANRF reserves the right to determine the eligibility for the cases not mentioned above.

Recognized academic or research institutions with a demonstrable track record in the Social Sciences and Humanities (SSH) may partner with Research Institutions or Universities. The partnering institution will formally collaborate in the establishment and operation of the centre.

The eligibility requirements for institutions and investigators under the Multi-Institution model are the same as those outlined for the Single Institution model.

• Principal Investigator is eligible to apply one proposal during a call.
• The call for applications will be notified on the ANRF website www.anrf.gov.in and online portal "www.anrfonline.in". Proposals for Convergence Research Centre of Excellence (CoEs) will be considered for evaluation only if submitted through the ANRF online portal. Proposals submitted through any other mode or platform will not be considered for evaluation.
• The selection will be based on the recommendation of the committee constituted for this program by ANRF. If required, the PI and Co-PI(s) may be called for discussion/presentation.

For successful online submission of the application, the following points to be noted:

• PI and Co-PI(s) should first register in the ANRF online portal, www.anrfonline.in Click here to register
• After log-in the applicants are required to fill in all the mandatory fields as specified in that section.
• The key details such as Proposal Title, Project summary, Key words, Aims and objectives, Justification for multidisciplinary research, Expected outcome and output and Budget (Equipment, Research personnel, Consumables, Travel, Contingency, Other cost (if any) and Overheads) have to be entered within the specified character limit at the time of proposal submission.
• The detailed technical document should be uploaded as a single PDF file, not more than 10MB as a Other Technical Document (OTD).Download Template

• The funds will be provided directly to the Lead institution where the Principal Investigator and Co-Principal Investigator(s) (co-PI(s)) are affiliated.
• If the application involves multiple institutes, the funds will be provided to the lead institution where the Principal investigator is affiliated, who will then disburse funds to other partnering institutions associated with the project.
• The exact amount of funding to be given to the each institution will be decided by the ANRF.
• The CoE will get support in two tracks. In track 1, funds will be allocated for first three years and further extension of support (for another 2 years) will be based on performance and the recommendation from the committee constituted for this purpose.

• Other Technical Details. Download Template
• Biodata (under user profile section). Download Template
• Endorsement letter from the Head of the Institution(s). Download Template
• Certificate from the investigator(s). Download Template
• Plagiarism Undertaking Download Template

The indicative thematic areas at the intersection of Science, Engineering, Technology, and Social Sciences & Humanities are listed below. Investigators can also submit the proposal other than the listed thematic areas which will address the complex societal challenges. Support under this Centre of Excellence (CoE) program will be provided through a competitive funding model.

S.No.	Thematic Areas	Sub Areas
1	Digital Humanities	AI- Indian Traditional Music and dance AI-Traditional knowledge systems Social media polarization and public discourse HCI & AI for uplifting a billion people AI-Ethical technology and Soft skills Digital technologies and Indian culture and cultural diversity AI-Centre for governance and regulation Tourism and Experiences amplified by technology Technology for Archaeology AI and Labour market impact AI and cognitive technologies for skilling, capacity building and entrepreneurship Psychological impact of automation on workers Reskilling policies in an AI-dominated economy Ethics of replacing human labour with machine Technology for governance Others
2	Health and Psychology	GIS and Public Health Public Health Informatics and bigdata for inclusive health and well-being Digital Technology-health informatics and AI for care economy Big data and predictive analytics-surveillance and assessment Mental Health: solutions beyond medication (focusing on dance, art and culture) AI and Yoga-life style management Mental Health- Technological world Others
3	Computational Economics	IR 4.0 applications for technological and supply chain disruptions Fintech, financial inclusion and economic resilience AI for creative economy Future of E-commerce and digital trade-platform economy and welfare AI and economy forecasting Digital labour platforms and economics Nudges and Behavioral Economics-Technology Innovation Others
4	Climate Change Resilience	IR 4.0 applications in renewable energy/Green Transition Industrial Ecology, Mining and Explorations and sustainable development Predictive AI, GIS and Space technologies for climate change mitigation Technology and real-world environmental challenges Ecology, Science and Technology AI and Paleontology Others
5	Rural Development	Rural economy Micro-incentives for e-governance adoption in rural settings S&T interface and rural development for empowering farmers Adoption of sustainable and traditional value addition and scientific solutions Digital technologies, post harvest value addition and scientific solutions Digital agriculture and Drones Technology empowerment of farmers Technology for Skill development AI, robotics and labour market transformation Tech solution-rural hygiene Technology and agri-waste management Others
6	Law and Emerging Technologies	AI Ethics and Healthcare AI and Algorithmic accountability Digital privacy, consent and data sovereignty Technology and human rights Ethical framework-Biotech, surveillance tech and autonomous systems Ethics of automation and the future of work Platformization and gig economy governance Others
7	Data Science in Public Policy	Behavioural tech for governance nudges Effective and efficient delivery of public services Applied behavioural economics, mobile nudges to drive sanitation, vaccination and school attendance Geo fenced behaviour interventions using mobile data (urban mobility) Technology-nudge labs at the state level Reimagining information asymmetry with technology Others

Q1. How many departments from the same institute can participate for the CoE program?

A1: Minimum two departments involving social sciences/humanities and Science or Engineering or Technology discipline should participate. The proposal must involve interdisciplinary collaboration within the institution or from other institution.

 

Q2: What is the role of Principal Investigator (PI)?

A2: Principal Investigator (PI) from the social sciences or Humanities will be prime investigator and nodal contact person. PI will be responsible for the overall implementation and management of the project.

 

Q3: How many Principal investigators (PIs) can participate in the program?

A3: One principal investigator from the department of Social Sciences or Humanities will serve as a principal investigator for the project.

 

Q4: How many investigators can associate as co-Principal Investigator (Co-PI) in the program?

A4: There is no specific limit however minimum two co-principal investigators need to be associated with project. One from the social sciences or humanities and another expert from the Sciences or Engineering or Technology discipline.

 

Q5: Whether the departments other than social sciences and humanities discipline can apply for the CoE?

A5: No. The program is specially meant to establish the cross-domain research networks in the field of Social Sciences and Humanities with interdisciplinary approaches involving Science, Engineering and Technology.

 

Q6: Is it mandatory that the Principal Investigator (PI) should have PhD degree?

A6: Yes. The Principal Investigator should have doctorate degree in the field of social sciences or humanities disciplines.

 

Q7: Is it mandatory that co-PI(s) should have PhD degree?

A7: The doctorate degree is not mandatory for the co-PI(s) from the Social Sciences and Humanities disciplines, however the co-PI(s) from other disciplines such as Science, Engineering or Technology must have a doctorate degree.

 

Q8: How many institutes can participate for the CoE program?

A8: Investigators from Single or multiple- institutions can submit the proposal under the CoE program.

 

Q9: If the institute doesn't have suitable interdisciplinary expertise can collaborate with the other institute?

A9: Yes. The institution can bring in suitable expert's from the other institution as a collaboration.

 

Q10: Which department the CoE will be placed?

A10: The CoE will be housed in the department specialized in Social Sciences/Humanities.

 

Q11: Whether the collaborating institute can propose separate budget?

A11: Yes. The collaborating institution can propose a separate budget in consultation with the principal investigator. However, the total budget of the project should not exceed the maximum limit (including the overhead) specified for this program.

 

Q12: Can we choose thematic areas other than those specified by ANRF?

A12: The proposed themes are indicative. The Principal Investigator and co-Principal investigators are encouraged to submit the project that addresses the complex societal challenges that may be regional specific or national in nature. The proposal should be interdisciplinary, including both social science/humanities and natural/applied science.

 

Q13: What is the maximum and minimum budget limit to apply for the project?

A13: The maximum budget limit (including overhead) is upto Rs. 25 crores and there is no minimum budget limit.

 

Q14: Can I apply for short term project, say for two or three years under this program?

A14: The program is structured for fixed five years and there is no provision for short term projects.

 

Q15: How many proposals can be submitted by the Institution or by the department?

A15: The disciplines affiliated with Social Sciences and Humanities department can submit one proposal each. For example, if the social sciences department as three disciplines, anthropology, economics and political sciences. All three disciplines can submit the proposal individually.

 

Q16: How many proposals can be submitted by the investigator?

A16: As a Principal Investigator, one individual can submit only one proposal.

 

Q17: Single or multi-institution can submit more than one thematic area?

A17: Yes.

 

Q18: Can Ad-hoc faculty or consultants eligible to apply the project under this program?

A18: The investigator(s) holding regular academic/research position in a recognized academic institution or public funded R&D institutions/laboratories or DSIR/SIRO-recognized R&D institutions are eligible to apply. The investigator(s) whose contracts are renowned every year or so are not eligible under this program. For more details, please visit detailed eligibility guidelines specified for this program.

 

Q19: Can I involve Industry, foreign academia, and startup as a collaborator?

A19: The accomplished investigators from the above listed organizations can be included as honorary investigators in the proposal, without any budget allocation.

 

Q20: If the study involves field work, the separate budget can be proposed?

A20: Yes. Apart from the travel budget you can propose separate budget for field work. In the online portal, a separate budget provision has been provided for field work under the travel head.

 

Q21: Can I use the contingency funds for paying registration fees for international conferences?

A21: Yes. The contingency funds can be used for registration charges for international conferences.