Social Science Research in India and the Role of Donor Agencies.
Abstract
The structure of social science research in India and its funding are first outlined. The support of foreign donor agencies is then examined. Although a number of agencies are involved in funding research this paper has selected the following donors for review as they have had a fairly long association of support to social science research in India and have developed clear programmes and guidelines for funding such research: the Ford Foundation; International Development Research Center (IDRC); and the Shastri Indo-Canadian Institute (SICI). In addition the contribution of the Indo-Dutch Programme on Alternatives in Development largely funded by the Netherlands government and implemented in collaboration with the ICSSR, is considered. The analysis shows that there exists considerable social science research capacity in India in its numerous universities, research institutes and now the NGOs. Yet, major problems remain e.g., the inadequacy of the institutional infrastructure and its geographical spread, relevance of social science research from a policy perspective, and the poor linkages of NGOs engaged in research with the social science research establishment.
Citation
Joshi, B.K. Social Science Research in India and the Role of Donor Agencies. (2001) 26 pp.
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