KCHR Fellowships - 2025
The Kerala Council for Historical Research (KCHR) invites applications from eligible scholars for its various fellowship programmes for the academic year 2025–26.
Important Note:
Applications must be submitted online only. Physical copies or email submissions will not be accepted.
Reservation rules are applicable for PhD Fellowships.
The last date for submission of applications is 26 May 2025.
1. KCHR PhD Fellowships (10 fellowships + 2 backlog fellowships for SC/ST candidates)
These fellowships are open to full-time PhD scholars enrolled at any Indian university and working on themes in the Social Sciences. KCHR particularly encourages interdisciplinary research on Kerala’s history and society.
- Fellowship Amount: ₹25,000 per month
- Contingency Grant: ₹30,000 per annum
2. Thematic Post-Doctoral Fellowships (5 fellowships)
These fellowships are open to scholars who have been awarded a PhD within the last five years and are intended to support independent research for a period of one year. The aim of the fellowship is to enable researchers to maintain continuity in their academic careers.
For the year 2025–26, preference will be given to proposals related to the following themes:
- Early Historic Period, with special reference to archaeological investigations on the West Coast, river valleys, and trade routes
- Early Modern period between the 15th and 18th centuries CE, with special interest in Indian Ocean Studies.
- Transformation of Kerala society and culture in the post-independence period
The total fellowship amount is ₹3,90,000, which includes a contingency grant of ₹30,000. Selected scholars are expected to be in residence at KCHR, except during fieldwork or archival visits.
3. Early Career Fellowships (3 fellowships)
KCHR Early Career Fellowships are awarded to scholars in the initial phase of their academic careers to support one year of independent research. Applicants must have completed their PhD within the last ten years and be under 40 years of age.
Preference will be given to research proposals based on the following themes:
- Early Historic Period, with special reference to archaeological investigations on the West Coast, river valleys, and trade routes
- Early Modern period between the 15th and 18th centuries CE, with special interest in Indian Ocean Studies.
- Transformation of Kerala society and culture in the post-independence period
However, early career researchers are also encouraged to submit original proposals on other topics, provided they are relevant to KCHR’s broader research focus in history and the social sciences.
- Fellowship Amount: ₹1,50,000
- Fellowship Tenure: One year
4. Fellowship for Independent Research- Women (3 fellowships)
This fellowship supports women researchers with a strong academic interest in History and the Social Sciences. Selected fellows will be affiliated with the Kerala Council for Historical Research (KCHR).
Applicants may propose their own research topics or choose from the following suggested themes:
- Early Historic Period, with special reference to archaeological investigations on the West Coast, river valleys, and trade routes
- Early Modern period between the 15th and 18th centuries CE, with special interest in Indian Ocean Studies.
- Transformation of Kerala society and culture in the post-independence period
Researchers interested in digitizing original archival materials relevant to historical research are also welcome to apply. (For details on the digitization project, see the section on Financial Assistance for Projects under Conservation of Historical Heritage of Kerala.)
Women fellows who are not currently employed or affiliated with any other institution are encouraged to be based at KCHR during the fellowship period.
- Fellowship Tenure: One year
- Total Grant: ₹3,25,000 (disbursed in three instalments, includes ₹25,000 contingency grant)
5. Fellowship for Transgender Researchers with/without institutional affiliation (1 fellowship)
This fellowship is dedicated to supporting transgender scholars with academic interests in History and Social Sciences.
- Tenure: One year
- Grant Amount: ₹3,25,000 (disbursed in three instalments, includes ₹25,000 contingency grant)
- Note: Applicants must have an institutional affiliation.
Queries may be directed to kchrfellowships@gmail.com