1. INTRODUCTION

The INTACH Research Programme is aimed at fostering multidisciplinary research in the field of heritage that builds knowledge by developing an in-depth understanding of phenomena related to lesser-known heritage resources of India; addressing issues and challenges that confront our heritage; informing further research or a future course of action. Detailed documentation and analysis of lesser-known heritage resources can be undertaken using the case study methodology. The outcomes of the research would be an in-depth, holistic and multi-perspective collection and analysis of data that can add value as an independent body of new knowledge or pave the way for developing appropriate strategies. The research proposals must include a comprehensive coverage of existing studies carried out on the subject matter, identification of research gaps and justification for the study.

2. PROPOSED THEMES FOR INTACH RESEARCH PROGRAMME

Research may be undertaken in the following areas:

• Nature-culture linkages in the context of sacred lakes and tanks¹ , wildlife and heritage, estuarine heritage, biodiversity of built heritage sites, hills and mountains, agricultural landscapes.
• Built heritage typologies such as vernacular architecture, memorial structures, historic water structures, monasteries, dharamshalas (pilgrims’ rest houses), civic and public buildings, industrial heritage, rock-cut art and architecture and historic bridges. This may include study of local habitats of distinctive communities.
• Conserving, safeguarding and sustaining heritage through studies on structural retrofitting and repair-work in historic buildings, retention and adaptation of traditional oral knowledge, intellectual property rightsfor folklore and intangible cultural heritage; or development of devices for preventive and curative conservation of art materials.
• Traditional materials and techniques with focus on technicalities, methodologies, compositions and regional variations in lime mortars and plasters, timber construction, metal work, finishes, terracotta work and elements, mud architecture, stone and brick masonry, wall paintings, wooden art objects, wooden boat building, idol making, handloom textiles, particularly silk² etc.
• Traditional or indigenous knowledge embedded in crafts, social systems and intangible traditions, foodways and practices of local communities that provide learnings for a sustainable forward path. This could also include a study of social systems reflected in practices such as traditional games and agricultural practices, including animal health and wellbeing, and associated oral knowledge.
• Influences across boundaries in the form of species of trees that came to India from other parts of the world, styles of art and architecture that travelled from other regions, traditions that stemmed from India such as the form of Buddhism taken to China by the Pallava Prince Bodhidharma, the Indian diaspora and cultural transformations.
• Heritage tourism in terms of carrying capacities of pilgrimage destinations³ , popular tourist ⁴destinations, vulnerable natural destinations, forest sanctuaries, archaeological and geo heritage sites. The studies may be based on natural-ecological⁵ , economic-political⁶ or socio-demographic⁷ aspects of a specific destination in depth. Use of intangible cultural heritage in responsible tourism and study of impacts of tourism on traditional communities may be taken up.
• Heritage education and its impact on heritage conservation and protection, museums as a learning resource for schools, linkages of volunteerism and cultural literacy, role of government and NGOs in promotion of heritage education, Corporate Social Responsibility and heritage learning in India, folk art education and its significance to local communities and economic prosperity, role of vocational education in sustainability and economic viability of local crafts, heritage as a tool for integrated learning and the National Education Policy, balancing formal and non-formal education in heritage learning, impact of heritage site visits in experiential learning.
• Heritage interpretation and presentation with an emphasis on areas such as digital interpretation, display and exhibition techniques focusing on tangible artefacts like textile collections and costumes, books, printed materials and manuscripts, wood, stone and metal, and intangible cultural heritage in the museum space.

3. APPLICATION PROCESS

All applications have to be filled out using the Google Form (link given below). You will have to upload all your documents mentioned below using the same Google Form.

First, download the Application Form, available as Annexure 1, and fill it out. When filling out the form, kindly choose the category for your application carefully. Ensure that the form is filled clearly and completely since the decision/interview will be based on the information provided in the form. Only applications in the prescribed format would be considered by the Institute.

Second, make a separate file for your research proposal (approx. 2500 words). A candidate can send up to two proposals (in two different Google Forms), however, only ONE will be selected for the programme. The proposal document must follow the guidelines mentioned in Annexure 3 and must include the following sections:

1. Title: The title of the project should be concise (with subtitle, if any) reflecting the scope of the research.
2. Aim: Broad aim emphasising the overall thrust of the proposed research.
3. Overview of literature: The problem identified should be logically linked to other studies on the theme, justifying the need for the present research.
4. Identification of research gap, statement of problem, research question/ hypothesis: The research to be investigated should be clearly contextualised in the theoretical framework of the theme within which to apply. The research questions to be answered/addressed need to be unequivocally stated.
5. Objectives of the proposed research
6. Conceptual framework: The concepts to be used, their relevance and applicability to the study and their operationalisation should be indicated.
7. Methodology indicating the various stages of proposed research
8. Innovativeness in the proposed research
9. Expected potential outcomes of the research
10. Work plan
11. Proposal for budget to conduct the research work (applicable for the entire scholarship amount in categories 5.2 and 5.3 and for INR 1,30,000/- in category 5.1). The budget to be prepared in line with the Financial Assistance Guidelines enclosed as Annexure 2.

The applicant should take note of the Eligibility Criteria mentioned in section 5.

 In relevance to the same, please upload copies of the following documents:

• 1. Updated CV
• 2. Proof of Educational Qualification
• 3. Experience Letter(s)
• 4. Published Research Paper(s)
• 5. Two reference letters (current date) from experts who are familiar with the candidate’s work. These reference letters should be on the expert’s letterhead.
• 6. Proof of Identity (self-attested copy)

Kindly ensure all enclosures are properly uploaded using the following link:

https://forms.gle/GTteFJwJdTJNGg6K8

4. SELECTION PROCESS

The candidates are expected to make sure that the application form and required documents pertaining to the submission are complete in all forms. The research proposals will undergo a detailed scrutiny to verify the inclusion of all essential paperwork. Applications that are found to be incomplete will not be eligible for further evaluation.

A Review Selection Committee⁸ will be constituted for the evaluation of the applications received. The Director of INTACH Heritage Academy will convene the Selection Committee Meeting comprising three academics or domain experts in the field of heritage and two members from INTACH.

5. CATEGORIES OF AWARDS

The INTACH Research Programme for the year 2025 is structured in the following three categories:

5.1. INTACH Research Fellowship

The Fellowship will be awarded to only one individual in the respective research cycle. It is a full-time commitment for a period of one year during which the Fellow will contribute to the academic activities of the INTACH Heritage Academy, in addition to conducting the research.

5.1.1. Eligibility Criteria

Only persons of Indian nationality, domiciled and normally resident in India are eligible. Candidate for the Research Fellowship must have the following qualifications:

1. A Master’s degree with first division and a minimum of six years of work/research experience (including M.Phil./PhD) in the discipline or domain of research to be conducted
2. Minimum two publications in peer-reviewed journals

Research proposals of candidates who have been previously awarded a scholarship in the INTACH Research Programme within a period of last three years will not be considered.

5.1.2. Terms of Engagement
The INTACH Research Fellow shall be expected to remain in residence for a minimum of six months. The period and time at INTACH will besubject to the applicant’s respective application and scope of research. The INTACH Research Fellowship is designed as an exclusive research opportunity that requires full-time commitment and cannot be undertaken simultaneously with any other form of full-time or part-time employment, including stipend programmes.

The period of study would not be extended except in rare cases, due to unforeseen circumstances, with the approval of competent authority. During their time at INTACH, the Fellow will also contribute towards the INTACH Heritage Academy’s academic development activities. This will include two presentations of the research at IHA, one in-process, and one before final report, to get public feedback prior to report finalisation. INTACH will not be responsible for the Fellow’s accommodation and transport during the residency period.

5.1.3. Release of Funds for the Fellowship Programme
The INTACH Research Fellowship will be awarded to the Fellow in four stages⁹ :

5.3. Capacity Building Research Scholarship for INTACH Staff

The Capacity Building Research Scholarship is a platform for INTACH staff to develop their research abilities in the field of heritage. The proposals may build on work being conducted in the respective Division/ Chapter/ Centre of INTACH or stem from individual research interests that align with the themes outlined in the Research Programme. The term of the Scholarship is for a period of one year.

5.3.1. Eligibility Criteria

5.3.2. Submission of budget proposal and release of funds
Candidates are expected to submit a detailed budget estimate along with their research proposal outlining the number of site visits, travel expenses, accommodation, assistance, miscellaneous support and some expenses towards approved institutions or professional assistance¹² subject to a prior approval of INTACH administration.

The candidates are expected to submit a budget estimate in accordance to the Financial Assistance Guidelines enclosed in the Annexure 2. The Scholarship will be awarded to the selected scholars in four stages¹³ :

5.3.4. Completion of Study
On completion of the Fellowship, the Scholar should submit the following:

1. Final Report of the research conducted in the stipulated year supported by recommendation of the expert for acceptance.
2. 
   An unpublished research paper between 3500 – 5000 words for INTACH Journal of Heritage Studies. Guidelines enclosed as Annexure 3.
3. Audited statement of accounts.

5.3.5. Other Conditions
The rights of the research work resulting from the Scholarship will be owned by the scholar and INTACH. INTACH has the first right to publication/co-publication of the research work submitted by the scholar. If INTACH does not publish or enter into a co-publishing arrangement and provide support for the actual printing of the work, within one year after completion of the Scholarship, it will be open to the scholar to get the same published through a private publisher duly acknowledging the contribution and rights of INTACH.

6. MONITORING AND REVIEW OF RESEARCH WORK

The research work of the Fellow and Scholars will be monitored and evaluated in the following stages:

1. first at the interim level of four months
2. second evaluation at the next four months
3. blind peer-review on submission of the draft report
4. review of final report to check if the feedback from peer-review is incorporated

The Fellow and Scholars will receive feedback at each stage of evaluation. The Scholars’ draft reports will be evaluated for plagiarism¹⁴. The similarity index should not exceed 15%. The feedback from peer-review will be shared with the Fellow and Scholars for incorporation in the final report.

8. LAST DATE OF APPLICATION

The last date to send a complete application is Monday, 9th December 2024.

9. RESEARCH ARCHIVES

• Research Programme 2022
• Research Programme 2020
• Research Programme 2019
• Research Programme 2018
• Research Programme 2017
• Research Programme 2016
• Research Programme 2015