IMPRESS Scheme (Impactful Policy Research of Social Sciences Scheme)

Contents
  1. Overview
  2. Features
  3. Objectives of IMPRESS Scheme 
  4. Implementation 
  5. Eligibility
  6. Research Areas
  7. Frequently Asked Questions

Overview

To strengthen the research ecosystem in the country, Human Resource Development Minister Prakash Javadekar has started the website of Impactful Policy Research of Social Sciences or IMPRESS scheme at New Delhi on 25 October 2018. Under this IMPRESS scheme, almost 1500 exploration projects will be covered and researchers will be provided Rs 20 to 25 lakhs for each project.

Features

To support research of social sciences at the higher educational organizations and to allow research by making policy, the central government has allocated a budget of Rs 414 crore for the next 2 years. Research in the field of social science is important for the development of the country and under the impactful Policy Research of Social Sciences or IMPRESS scheme, it will help to comprehend and resolve the problems faced by the mankind. The Indian Council of Social Science and Research or ICSSR must be the nodal agency for the implementation of the projects.

The central government has approved Rs 414 crore for the implementation of the Impactful Policy Research of Social Sciences or scheme by 31 March 2021. The Impactful Policy Research of Social Sciences (IMPRESS) scheme will identify fund proposals of social science having maximum influence on administration and society. The expert groups will decide the sub-subject areas before issuing the scheme notification and requesting for applications. The Impactful Policy Research in Social Sciences (IMPRESS) scheme will ensure project selection through a transparent, competitive process on the online mode. This scheme will provide opportunity to researchers in social sciences in any institute of the country. All central and state universities and private institutions with 12 (B) status awarded by UGC will be included in the IMPRESS  scheme.

Objectives of IMPRESS Scheme 

  • To identify and provide funding for research proposals in social science having maximum impact on governance and society. 
  • Ensuring the selection of projects through an evident, aggressive process using the online method.
  • To provide opportunities for researchers of social sciences in all universities of both Central and State, including private organizations who have 12 (B) status by the University Grants Commission.
  • Indian Council of Social Science and Research or ICSSR are funded or recognized research institutes will also be qualified to submit the research proposals in specified subjects and sub-disciplines.
  • Conducting surveys and reviews to check the growth of research in social sciences and advising them.
  • Provide financial aid for the associations, institutions and journals involved in the research process.
  • Take on publications and help publications of books and journals related to social sciences.
  • Organize and finance seminars, lectures, workshops and conferences.
  • Help in multi-disciplinary and interdisciplinary research and administration for college and universities.

Implementation 

Four proposals will be announced in the months of October 2018, February 2019, September 2019 and February 2020. The process of project evaluation and selection will have to be completed within 90 days from the date of announcement of the proposals. The experts are for the project evaluation will be selected using the objective criteria. The online portal will help in frequent supervising of the improvement of projects and the progress of projects must be directly given on the portal by the Coordinator of the projects. In March 2021, the third party will evaluate research proposals on projects.

Eligibility

All the institutions and universities both central and state which are funded by the Government, the private universities who possess the status of UGC 129(b) and ICSSR Research Organisations are qualified to apply for this scheme. However, the Project Director must be a normal employee who owns a Ph.D. and has curiosity for high intensity research that is proven by the previous studies, publication and educational background. Even if the scheme has Co-Directors, these people must possess curiosity in research. Retired personnel who have interest in researching are also allowed to apply under this scheme, however they need affiliation. The individual scholars are allowed for applying at least two projects at one time. But the applicant will have to choose only a single project  at the level three. Institutions which have decent infrastructure and resources for research can also apply for this scheme.

Research Areas

State and democracy

  • The Nature of Indian State
  • India as a Welfare State
  • Indian Democracy: The Experience thus far
  • Elections: Participation, Multilevel Cycles and Economics
  • Federalism: Nature and Trends
  • Regionalism: Trends and Challenges
  • Indian Portal Abroad
  • India’s Soft Power: Various Dimensions

Urban transformation

  • India’s Urbanisation Process: Trends and Challenges
  • Cities and Sustainability
  • Resource Pressure and Future
  • Smart City Initiative in India
  • Trans-Generational Urban Development
  • City governance: Issues and Challenges
  • Urban Transportation and Congestion
  • Greening Cities: Issues and Challenges
  • Rural-Urban Migration and Implications

Media, Culture and society

  • Developments in Media: History, Size, Economic etc.
  • Media Types and their Impact on Society
  • Media: Concept Analysis, News Types and their Social Impact
  • Media: Ownership, Control, Marketing, Competition and Pricing
  • Cultural and Historical Inclusiveness
  • Indian Intellectual Tradition and It’s Contemporary Relevance
  • Indian Family System
  • Religion and Cohesion since ages
  • Women: Status and Empowerment
  • Inclusion and Development of Scheduled Caste and Tribes
  • Urban Middle Class: Aspirations and Roles
  • Happiness and Well-Being Issues

Employment, Skill and Rural Transformation

  • Skills and Employability
  • Employment: Trends and Measures
  • Rural Transformation: Issues and Challenges
  • Rural Infrastructure and Transportation
  • Technology and Rural Transportation
  • Demographic Change in Rural Areas

Governance, Innovation and Public Policy

  • Governance: Status at National and State Level
  • Good Governance: Dimensions and Public Welfare
  • Governance and technology
  • Global Governance in India
  • Corporate Governance: Trends, issues and policy

Development in Macro trade and economic policy

  • Informal Sector Issues
  • Make in India Initiative
  • Financial Inclusion
  • Ease of Doing Business
  • Revitalization and Manufacturing
  • Inclusiveness, Poverty and Inequality

Agriculture and Rural Development

  • New Developments in Rural economy
  • Trade and Investment Issues
  • Food Security
  • Rural Credit and Performance
  • Productivity of Land and Crop pricing

Health and Environment

  • Climate Change
  • Clean India Initiative
  • Rural Health and Hygiene
  • Pollution and Quality of Life
  • Health Care Delivery and Resource

Science and education

  • Education, Skills and Employment
  • Digital Learning
  • Scientific Society: Present, Past and Future
  • Standard Setting and educational institution

Social media and technology

  • Social Media Networks and Society
  • Social Media: Ethics, Accountability, Big Data Issues
  • Technology and Social Media

Politics, Law and Economics

  • Politics, Law and Economics: Convergence and Divergence Issues
  • Political Economy: Issues and Challenges
  • Inclusive Society for Sustainable Development
  • Judicial Activism
  • Administration of Law and Justice

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. What is IMPRESS scheme?

Impactful Policy Research of Social Sciences or IMPRESS scheme was launched to support research of social sciences at the higher educational organizations and to allow research by making policy.

You will be able to learn more about IMPRESS scheme on the ICSSR website.

Q. Who launched this scheme?

Human Resource Development Minister Prakash Javadekar launched this scheme.

Q. When was this scheme launched?

The of Impactful Policy Research of Social Sciences or IMPRESS scheme was launched at New Delhi on 25 October 2018.

Q. What are the primary objectives of the scheme?

The primary objective of the is to identify fund proposals of social science having maximum influence on administration and society.

Q. What is the budget of the scheme?

The budget of the scheme is INR 414 crore for the implementation of the Impactful Policy Research of Social Sciences.

Q. Which type of institutions can apply for this scheme?

All the institutions and universities both central and state which are funded by the Government, the private universities who possess the status of UGC 129(b) and ICSSR Research Organisations are qualified to apply for this scheme.