N ationalH um an R ights C om m ission's

G ùidelines for Sponsoring

Shorc ong-term
Research Projects

vs%,

N ational H llm an Rights Com m ission

FaridkotHouse
CopernicusM arg
N ew D eihi - 110 001
W ebsite :m srm nhrc.nic.in
Revised Edition : July. 2007

ISBN 978-81-994411-3-1

NATIONAL HUM AN RIGHTS COM M ISSION

Faridkot House. Copemicus Marg
New Delhi-l10 00l. India
Tel. : 011-23383570. Fax : 23384863
E-mail ; covdnhrc@ rlic.in
Website : www.nhrc.nic.in

(7 2007. National Human Rights Commission

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 G uidelines for Sponsoring
Shorc ong-term
Research Projects
1. Illtroduction

TheNationalHumanRightsCommissionsponsorsresearchprojectsas
perthe provision ofChapter-lll,section 12 ofthe Protection of Human Rights
Act,1993 relating to undertaking and promoting research in the tield ofHuman
Rights.

To fultillthisobligation and mandate,the Comm ission hasestablished a

researchwingcalled Policy,Research,Projectsand ProgrammesDivision.

2. Aims and Objectives

Themajorobjectivesoftheschemeareto promoteresearch,which may
also culminate in addressing thc issues of concern. besides developing and
building database of issues in the Comm ission. The tindings of the research
would also be taken up as issues for organizing seminars workshops and
training programmes inthe:Com mission.

TheCommission may considerpromotingsuch researchprojects which

may be more focuscd along the linesofapplied research.action based rescarch
and also theoreticalresearch. The ultimate aim is to translate the research
findings into an action plan,so asto protectand promote human rights- civil
and polilicalas wellas economic.socialand culturalrights.

J. Thrttstareasfor undertaking research

SeeA nnexure-l
4. Eligibillb Criteria
The research grant would be made available (0 an institution having
adequateinfrastructuretoexecute the research projectts). Aninstitution which
is associated in any manner with any aspectof protection and promotion of
human rights.with good track record,qualified human resources and trained
manpowerand which is notrun forprotit,shallbe eligible to be considered for
entrusting thcresearchproject,suc'h as:
a research and training institution setup and fully funded by the
CentralGovernment/stateGovernment/publicSectorUndertaking;
l an institution/organization registered under the Societies
RegistrationAct,l860 (ActXXlofI860).
,
3. a registered public trust;

4. a registered institution exclusively devoting itselfto the espousal

of the cause of human rights;

5. a university or a deemed university;

aStateliumanRightsCommission'
,
7. a.college covered underSection 2 (9 and 12 B oftheUGC Act:
8. privatecollegecovered underSection 2 (0 ofthe UGC Actand
aftiliated to theuniversity(temporary/permanent).

Duration of Rczearch Projects

(a) The research projectsmay be submitted forboth short-term and
long-term period.

Theshort-term projectwould beforadurationof6to 12months,

and the Iong-term projectforaperiod of I2to 24 months.

4
Note:1. TheShofl-term researchprojectsmaybeextendedbythreemonths
under exceptionalcircumstances with the prior approvalof the
Commission.
Long-term research projectsmay beextended by 3 to 6 months
underexceptionalcircumstances only with priorapprovalof the
Commission.

Theeffectivedateofimplementationoftheprojectwouldbethe
date ofthe release ofthe l>
'installmentofthe graaiorlhe date
oftheimplementationol
-theproject,whicheverisearlier.

& Nature of F/alaclk!AssistanceAvailable

n e maximum IimitofGnancialassistance forshort-term and long-term
projectswould be asunder:
NatureofResearchProjects FinancialAssistance
tRs.in lakhs)
Short-term 1 to 3 Iakhs
Long-term 1 to 6 lakhs

The financialassistance will be provided for non-recuning as weil as

recurring items.The details regarding items covered under the non-
recurring and recuning are given in Annexure-ll.

7. M ethod for inviting applications for Shortzfatnlg-/erzzl

researchprojects
Theapplicationsforshort/long-tenn researchprojectsmay besubmitted
in theGrstweekofApriland lastweekofSeptemberofeachfinancialycar.
The Com m ission m ay also invite rescarch proposals by advenising in
leading newspapersorthrough the NHRC newsletter/website.

5
8. Procedurefor.
% lml9stl?)oftheProject
Thefollowingareeligibletoapplyfortheproject:
The Head of an Institution in case of an NGO/Sta(e Human Rights
Commission/a registered public trust; the Head ofan institution/a permanent
faculty memberin case ofa University/deemed to be a university:Principalof
the College/a permanentfaculty member in caseofa collcge;Head/permanent
staff not helow lhe rank of Deputy Secretary from a research and training
institutionsetupand fullyftlndedbyllleCentralGovernment/stateGovernment/
PublicSectorUndertaking,Incaseofunivefsity/collegeteacher,theHead ofthe
concerned university/principal of the college should forward the proposal.
However, in case of others, the Chairperson/llead of the institution should
forward the same.W hilestlbmitting the projectproposal,.the ProjectDirector
should ensure the following:

A brief outline ofthe projectstating objectives.methodology,

stages of the project, item-wise budget,number ofpersonnel
required,tenureoftheproject,etc.intheprescribed formatgiven.
Altllexure-lll.

9. Procedurefors'eleclf/lloftheProject
TheprojectproposalsubmittedtotheCommissionwillbescrutinizedand,
ifneed be,the ProjectDirectormay be asked to makea presentation.
(a) Afterthescrutinyoftheproject.theCommissionmaycallforany
clarification orsuggestmoditication therein.

(b) lf thc research project meets the crileria Iaid down by lhe
Comm ission from time to time,the Com mission may approve the
proposal.

6
 (c) The decision ofthe Commission to acceptornotto acceptthe
proposalwouldbesubjecttoviabilityoftheprojectandavailability
offand. However.lhedecision of!he Commission eilherway.i-e.
to Suppol'
tornotto supporttlle projectwould be Gnal.

10. ProcedureforRelease P.
JGrants
n e institute to whom thc research would be given willhaveto maintain
aseparateaccountin respectoftheresearch project. Theaccountwillremain
open to inspection by the Commission orits representative.

Theprojectaccountmay beoperatedI)ytheProjectDirectoraswellas
byanominee(notbelow thel'
ankofAccountsOfticer/AdministrativeOfficer)of
theinstitution to whom theprojecthasbeen awarded.
The lV'installmentofthe grantshallcomprise 100% non-recurring grant
and 50% ofthe totalrecuning grantapproved by the Commission forthe total
tenureoftheProjecl,andwillbereleasedimmediately.Theamountrelcasedwill
be spentasperthe approved heads/itemswithin the approved allocation forthe
respective heads/items. Ifthenon-recurring grantisnotutilized within oneyear
from therelease ofgrant,justificationfornon-utilization should be sentto the
Commission and the priorapprovalof the Com mission may be obtained ifthe
grantis utilized forpurchase ofnon-recuning item .

The 2nd installmentof the grant comprising 40% of the totalrecurring

grantallocation would be released ortthe receiptofprogressreport,utilization
certiticate and item-wise statementof expenditure in the prescribed proforma
(Annexure-lv,V and VI),dulycertified bytheRegistrar/principalm eadofthe
Institution.

Theunspcntbalanceunderrecuninggrantorsforihatmatteraundernon-
recurring grant is to be refunded after the com pletion of the financial ycar.
However.itcould also be adtle:lto (hegrantto be released in the subsequent
Gnancialyear.

Theremaining amountof10% approved recurring grantmay be taken as

advancebytheProjectDirectorfrom theinstitute'sownresourcesawhichwould
be reimbursed on the receiptof the following documents:

1. Twocopiesofthedraftfinalreportoftheproject.Thedraftfinal
reporlwillbe scrutinized in tlle Commission and,on the basis of
thescrutiny.the Commission may suggestsome changeswhich in
turn may be incorporated in the finalreport,ifany.

On finalisation of the draft report, the institute'is required to

submit20 copies ofthe finalreportto the Commission.

The 5naIreportshould be comprehensive enough to serve as a

definite record and should generally cover the following points:

(i) The problem studied/objectives.

M ethodology of the study:

(a) The design ofresearch.

(b) The selection of the universe and the units for study,
considefutions thatgoverned the selection of the universe,
size ofthe sampleand the procedure forthe sample drawn.

Tools used: detailed account of the exercise of tool

construction.specialcontribution made by the project in
devising new tools orsharpening existing one.

(d) Field work:the mannerin which field work wasconducted

includingdivisionofIabouramongtheprojectstaff,problems
encountered.

8
 (e) Theschedtlle(?f!heprcject.
Organizationalstructure and problems.

(g) Methodologicalgains.
(h) Limitationsofthe study.
(i) Other observations.

(iii) Descriplion and analysisofdala.

Findings and conclusion:

(a) Summaryoffindings.
(b) Conclusicn.
(c) lmplicationsforfurtherresearch.
(d) Recommendations.

Executive summary ofthe project.

4. A detailed statementofitem-wise expenditure.

5. Audited utilization certiticate ofthe fullamountapproved under

theproject.
The reportof the research willbe the exclusive proa rty ofthe
Commission.

n eun-utilizedgrantpifany,may berefunded immediatelythrough

demand draftin favourofthe Seerefary Genelul,NalionalHuman
Rights Commission,payable atNew Delhi.

8. Any expenditure incurred priorto the issue ofapprovalIetterand

aftertheexpiryofthetenureoftheprojectwillnotbeadmittedby
theComm ission.

9
9. The PrcjlctDirector/lnstituteisexpected to Settletheaccounts
immediatelyoncompletionoftheproject.Incase,thegrantisnot
claimed withinthree monthsfrom thedate ofthecomplrtion ofthe
project.thesamewillIapseandnorepresentationwillbeentertained
ia this regard. In case the utilization certificate from statutory
auditor is delayed. the utilization certification from Chartered
Accountantbc submitted within threemonthsaftertbecompletion
oftheproject.

10
 Annexure-l

ThrustAreasfor Undertaking Research

* GenderJustice:
> TfahickinginW omenandChildren.viz Sex-lburism andTrafficking.
Trafticking and Domestic Servitude,etc.
> Case Studies ofCases on Trafticking Dealtin the Com mission.
>' Case Studieson the Issue ofDomestic Violence.
> Human Rights Violations Faced by W omen in the Unorganised
Sector.

* RightsofChildren:
>' Female Foeticide and Infanticide.
>' EnrollmentofChildren in Education.
Issues to Preventand CombatChild M arriages.
> Assessmentofthe Status ofChildren in Conflictwith Law.

* CustodialJustice:
> Deaths in Custody.
> PrisonReforms.

* H eaIth and Hum an ltights:

>' Drinking W atcr asa Health lssue.
>' Status ofAccess to HeaIth Delivery System .

* Environm entand H um an Itights:

> Rights of W orkersin Hazardous lndustries.
TribalR ights and Environment.
 . Human RightsLiteracyandEducation;
> PreparationofDossierson HtlmanRightsEducationforUniversity
Students.
> Evolving M odclSyllabus/cuniculklm onHuman RightsEducation.

* Rightst)fVulnerable:
>' M inorities.
>' Internally Displaced Persons.
> Dalits.

* Statusofthe Disabled& lderly Perstms:

> DevelopmentofCommon Sign Language.
> Ensuring the Rights ofElderly People.

'
* SuèhotherSubjectsComm ission seemsAppropriate:

12
 Annexure-H

Jtem sfor which the linancialassistance willbeprovided:

Non-Recurrl g
1. Equipments(includingcomputerhardware/software).
2. Reprographicfacilities.

Note:TheassetsgeneratedoutofthefundingoftheprojectprovidedbyNHRC
shallremain the property ofthe lnstitution afterthe completion of the
projecl.1f,forsomereason,therearecxceptionalcircumstances,i.e.,the
institute is de-recognized/closed due to any reason,the assets acquired
wouldbetakenoverbytheComm ission/besurrenderedtotheCommission.

Recuning
1. Salary/honorarium ofresearch staff*
..
(
2. Tfavel/field tripsforprojectinvestigatorsand staff**.
Organizingseminam.
4. Stationery.
5. Printing of material/preparation of research questionnaire/report
Writing,etc. '
6. Hiring of secretarialassistance.
7. Telephone,fax,emailcharges(Maximum Rs.2,000/-permonth).

Research Associate - A candidate below the age of 45 years,who has

obtained a doctoraldegree and haspublished research work to hiscredit
inrelatedfeId may beengaged asResearchAssociateandhisemolument
may be Iimited toRs.10,000/-permonth.

Project Associate Project Associate, a person having M A/M.PhiI

degree.55% marksm Grade,respectively and should be below the ageof
40 years,may be appointed. Theemolumentpaid to him may be limited
to Rs.8,000/-Ilerm onth.

13
ModeofSelection:ResearchAssociategrojectAssociatemaybeselected
on open basis lhrough a Committee having the following members:

Head ofthe Institution/chairperson/Director

0nesu 'bjectcxpert.
ProjectInvestigator(PrincipalInvestigator)

The credentialof the candidate selected alongwith relevantdecuments

may be sentto Sccretaly General,NationalHuman RightsCommission,
FaridkotHouse,Copernicus M arg,New Delhi.

Theallowance towardstluvelincaseofResearchAssociateandProject
Associate and also ProjectInvestigatorwould be governed by the TA/
DA rules ofthe concerned State Government.

1.
4
 AM ea re-Hl

FO RM AT FO R SUBM ISSION OF PROPO SAL FOR

RESEARCH PROJECT
PART - A

BroadSubject:
l AreaofSpccialization:
Duration: . .
PrincipalInvestigator:
(i) lîlltrfld):
(ii) Sex:(M/l7):
fliil DateofBirth:
(iv) Qualification:
(v) Designation:
(vi) Address:
()ëœ :

'Residence:
Co-lnvestigatorts):
(i) liI1tl1A(,:
(ii) Sex:( :
tiiil DateofBinh;
(iv) Qualitkation:
D esignation:

15
 (vi) Address:
Office:

Residence:
6. NameoftheInstitutionwheretheprojectwillbeundertaken:
(a) Departmcnt:
(b) University/college:
(PleasementionthenameofaffiliatingUniversityincaseofcollege)

W hethertheUniveaity/collegeinstitutionisapprovedunderSection2(f)
and l2(B)ofthe UGC Act?
Yesm o .
Teaching and Research Experience ofPrincipalInvestigator:
(a) Teachingexperience:
(b) Researchexperience:
(c) Yearofaward ofdoctofaldegree:
(d) Titleofthesisfordoctoraldegree:
(e) Publicationts):
(i) Papers Published:
Accepted:
Communicated:
Books Published:
Accepted:
Com municated:

tpleaseenclosetheIistofprojectscarriedoutandcompleted,papcrsandbooks
puljlished and/oraccepted during lastfiveyears)

16
 PART - B
Pronosed Research W ork

ProjectTitle:
(ii) Introduction:
@ Origin ofthe research problem:
@ Interdisciplinary relevance:

@ Review ofResearchand Developmentin the Subject:

. InternationalStatus:
NationalSutus:
Significance of the study:
tiiil Objective;
M ethodology:
(v) Year-wisePlanofwork and targetsto beachieved:
(vi) Detailsofcollaboration,ifany,intended:
10 FinancialAssistance required:
Itan ' tGIEXIG tUIV
(i) Research Associate
@Rs.10,0(XF-p.m.t5xedl
(ii
) ProjectAssociate
@Rs.8,0œ /-p.:p.
tiii) Hiring services -
(iv) Field work and travel -
Contingency
 (vi) Printing.etc.recuning àead
(vii) Equipment.ifneeded
(glea slr
ecifynarleantlarylox.cœt)
,

Total:

ll. WhetherthePIhasrcceived supportfortheresearch projcctfrom the

NHRC,schemeofsllpportforresearch orfrom any agency? Ifso, please
indicate:

(a) Name oftheagcncy from wlliclltheassistance wasapproved:

(b) Sanction letter No.and date under which the assistance was
approved:

Amountapproved and utilized:

(d) Titleofthrprojectforwhich assistance was approved:

(e) lncasetheprojectwascompleted,whethertheworkontheproject
has been published:

(9 Ifthecandidatewasworkingforthedoctoraldegree,whetherthe
thesiswas submitted and accepted by theUniversity fortheaward
of degree:

(A summ aly ofthe report/thesisin aboutl,000 wordsmay please

be atfached with the application)

18
 (g) Iftheprojecthasnolbeencompleted,pleasestate thereasons

l2. Detailsofthe project/schemecompleted orongoing with the P,I

Name ofthe Year Total Equipment/lnffastructural

Agency facilitiesobtained
Started Completed

(b) lnstitutionaland Departmentalfacilitiesavailablefortheproposed

work:

Equipment:

OtllerInfrastructuralfacilities:

l3. Any otherinfonnation which theinvestigatormay liketo givein support

of thisproposalwhich may be helpfulin evaluating:

To certify that:

TheUniversity/college/lnstitutionisapproved underSection 2(t)

and l2-B of the UGC Actand is 5tto receive grants from the
Central/state Govcrnmentand otherfunding agencies.

(b) Generalphysicalfacilities,suchasftjrniture/space,etc.areavailable
in the DepanmenNcollege/lnstitution.

(c) l/we shall abide by the rules governing the scheme in case

19
 assistance is provided lo me/us from the NHRC for tbe above
project.

(d) l/weshallcompletetheprojectwithinthestipulatedperiod.
we failto do so and ifthe NHRC isnotsatisfied with theprogress

oftheresearchproject.theCommissionmaytenninatetheproject
immediately and ask forthe refund oftheamountreceived by me/
tlS.

The above Research Projectisnotfunded by any otheragency.

Name and Signature

(a) PrincipalInvestigator
(b) Co-lnvestigator
(i)
(û)
Registrar/principal/Head of the Inslitution

(Signaturewith Seal)

20
 Annexure- IV

AnnuaW inalReportofthework doneon theShort-tenn/lum g-term

Research Project.(Reportto be submitted within 6 weeksafter
completion ofeach years)

ProjectreportNo.lNznd/3ru/Final:
NHRC ReferenceNo.:

Period ofreportFrom :

4. Title oftheResearch Project:

(a) NameofthePrincipalInvestigator:

(b) Departmentand University/collegeinstitution where work has

progressed:

6. Effectivedate ofstarting oftheproject:

Effective date ofstarting theproject:
8. Grantapproved and expenditure incurred during the period ofthe repoll:

(a) Totalamountapproved Rs.

(b) Totalexpenditure Rs.

(c) Repon ofthe work done (Pleaseattach a sepacatc sheet)

(i) Briefobjectiveoftheproject:

21
(ii) Workdcmcsofarandresultsachievedandpublications,if
any,resultingfrom thework(Givedctailsofthepapersand
names of thejournals in which ithas been published or
accepted forpublication):

(iii) Hasthe progress been according to originalplan ofwork

andtowardsachievingtheobjective? Ifnot,statereasons:

Please indicate the difficulties, if any, experienced in

implementingtheproject:

lf project has not been completed, please indicate the

approximatq time by which itis likely to be completed. A
summaryoftheworkdonefortheperiod(Annualbasis)may
please be sentto the Commission on a separate sheet:

(vi) Iftheprojecthasbeencompleted,pleaseencloseasummal'
y
ofthe findingsofthe study. Two bound copiesofthefinal
reportof work done may also be sentto the Commission:

4
 (vii) Any other information wkich would help in evaluation of
workdoneon theproject.Atthecompletionoftheproject,
the tirst report should indicate the output, such as (a)
Manpowertrained(b)Publicationofresults(c)otherimpact,
ifany:

SIGNATUREOFTHEPRINCIPAL
REGISTRAR/PRINCPAL
INVFSTIGATOR HEAD OFTHE INSTITW ION

23
 Alm exure- V

UTILIZATION CERTIFICATE

Certitied tlatthe grantofRs.

(Rupees
.
only)
received from the NationalHuman Rights Commission under the scheme of

supportfor Short/l-ong-lerm entitled

vide NHRC IetterNo.F.

dated has been fully utilized forthe purpose

forwhich itwassanctionedand in accordancewiththe termsand conditionslaid

down by the NationalHuman RightsCommission.

SIGNATURE OF THE REGISTRAR/PRINCIPAL STATUTORY

PRINCIPAL HEAD OF THE AUDITOR
INVESTIGATOR INSTITUTION

24
 Annexure- VI

STATEM ENT OF EXPENDITURE IN RESPECT O F SH ORT/

LONG-TERM RESEARCH PROJECT

NameofProjectDirector:
NameofUniversity/college:

NHRC approvalNo.and date:

TitleoftheResearchProject:

5. Effective dateofstartingtheproject: .
6. (a) PeriodofExpenditure:From: to

(b) DetailsofExpenditure:

S.NO. Itan Anxpunt diture

Approve lti IncurredRs.

i. Books & Journals

ii. Equipment
iii. Contingency
iv. Field Workfrravel
v. Hiring Services
vi. Any other items (Please specify) '

(c) Sûlff:

(d) DaEe ofAppointment:

 S.NO. KxlG tUIV Fmm T@ Ametmt Exw nmture
Incurred Agxm '
ul Incue
(RsJ (Rs.)

1. Research Asgociate
@ Rs.10,
000/-p.
m.

l ProjectAssociate
@ Rs.8.000/-p.m.

ltiscertifiedthattheappointmentts)havebeenmadeinaccordancewith
the terms and conditionslaid down by the Commission.

2. If,asa resultofcheck orauditobjective,someirregularly isnoticedat

a later date, action will be taken to refund, adjust or regulari
ze the
objected amounts.

3. Payment@ revised ratesshallbe madewith arrearson theavailability of

additionalfunds.

4. ltis certified thatthe grants ofRs.

(Rupees only)
received from the NationalHuman RightsCommission underthescheme
of support for Shorl/l-ong-term Research Project entitled
vide NHRC letterNO.F. dated
has been fully utilized forthe purpose for which itwas sanctioned and
 in accordance with the tennsand conditions laid down by the Nalional
Human RightsCommission.

SIGNATUREOFPRINCIPAL REGISTRAW PRINCPAU

INVFSHGARDR HEAD OFTHEINSTITW ION

27