Call for Applications
Overview
The Shastri Indo-Canadian Institute (SICI) invites applications for the Shastri Scholar Travel Subsidy Grants (SSTSG) 2025–26, a flagship program that strengthens institutional partnerships and scholarly linkages between Canadian and Indian higher- education institutions.
Saskatchewan Partnership
For 2025–26, SSTSG is delivered in partnership with the Ministry of Advanced Education, Government of Saskatchewan under the Saskatchewan–Shastri Engaging Saskatchewan in India (SK-SESKI) initiative. This aligns with the SICI–Saskatchewan Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and advances Saskatchewan’s academic engagement with India.
Key Objectives
The Shastri Scholar Travel Subsidy Grants (SSTSG) are established to facilitate academic exchange and strengthen institutional partnerships. The program seeks to:
- Enable faculty, post-doctoral researchers, and doctoral students to present their work and participate in academic meetings, conferences, workshops, and seminars in Canada or India..
- Support the professional development of Indian and Canadian scholars by broadening their skills, networks, and exposure to international scholarship.
- Advance institutional linkages and contribute to the long-standing academic relationship between India and Canada, fostering sustained collaboration and impactful outcomes..
Awards at a Glance
- Total awards: 15
- 5 reserved for Saskatchewan publicly funded post-secondary institutions
- 10 open to all Canadian and Indian SICI Member Institutions
- Grant value: CAD $1,500 (international, economy-class, round-trip airfare between Canada and India)
- Funding release: To the recipient’s institution after project completion and final report approval
- Travel window: September 1, 2025 – August 31, 2026
Eligible Expenses
Covered: International round-trip airfare (economy).
Not covered: Visa fees, meals, per diem, accommodation, or other related costs.
Who Can Apply
Eligible institutions:
- One SSTSG award (student or faculty) per institution in 2025–26.
- SICI Member Institutions in good standing (2025–26).
- Saskatchewan publicly funded institutions:
- Universities: University of Saskatchewan; University of Regina
- Polytechnic: Saskatchewan Polytechnic
- Regional Colleges: Carlton Trail, Great Plains, North West, Southeast, Suncrest
Eligible applicants:
- Canadian citizens or permanent residents; Indian citizens
- Full-time faculty, researchers, doctoral and post-doctoral students
- Past recipients: must wait 2 full years after submitting their final report before reapplying.
Application Package
Applicants must submit the completed SSTSG Application Form 2025–26 together with the supporting documents listed below, in the specified order. Details on the required submission format are provided in a later section (file requirements) of this application.
Event Description
- A detailed description of the event, including its objectives, key themes/topics, expected scholarly contributions and outcomes, and overall format.
- Clearly indicate how participation will contribute to the applicant’s academic development and strengthen India–Canada linkages.
- Length: up to three (3) pages.
Scholar Profiles and Contributions
- Provide the applicant’s professional background, research profile, and academic contributions.
- Highlight past achievements, outputs, and the ways in which this event will advance scholarly collaboration.
- Length: up to two (2) pages.
Proof of Acceptance
- Official confirmation of acceptance of the applicant’s paper/presentation from the host or organizing institution.
- Must include a formal invitation letter from the host.
- Curriculum Vitae of the Applicant - Maximum of three (3) pages.
- Curriculum Vitae of the Academic Host (for academic visits only) - Maximum of three (3) pages.
Proof of Citizenship/Residency
- A copy of a valid passport (India) or passport/PR card (Canada). Community Certificate (if applicable)
- A copy of the original certificate for Indian applicants from SC/ST/OBC categories.
Evaluation Criteria
- Project/Institution/Event (6 points)
- Scholars Professional Background (5 points)
- Does the applicant have the necessary scholarly background related to the project topic they propose executing?
- Contribution to faculty/student's development and potential institutional linkages (2+2=4 points)
- How far is the proposed project likely to contribute to the applicant's development (personal and professional growth)?
- How far will the proposed project contribute to potential institutional linkages between the applicant's home and host institutions?
- Project/Institution/Event (6 points)
- Scholar’s Background (5 points)
- Development & Linkages (4 points)
- Applicant’s personal/professional growth (2)
- Institutional linkages (2)
Does the proposed meeting/event carry significant weight regarding topics, objectives, scholarly inputs/outputs and rankings (based on the type of meeting/event, intended contributions/ accomplishments, scholarly presence, attending participants, etc.)?
Deadlines & Submission
- Application deadline: October 12, 2025 (11:00 p.m. MDT)
- Submit to: siciapp@ucalgary.ca
- Subject line: “SSTSG Application 2025–26”
- File requirements:
- Application Form as separate PDF
- Supporting documents (items 1–7) compiled into one PDF
- Passport/PR card as a separate PDF
- Late or incomplete applications will not be considered.
Report Submission
Final reports must be submitted by email to maldeen@ucalgary.ca upon completion of the SSTSG project.
Download Forms
- SSTSG Application Form for Faculty Members
- SSTSG Application Form for Students
- SSTSG Final Report Form for Faculty Members
- SSTSG Final Report Form for Students
Contact
Mahmuda Aldeen
Program and Member Relations Officer
Shastri Indo-Canadian Institute
Canada Office, #1418 Education Tower, 2500 University Drive NW, Calgary AB T2N 1N4, Canada
Email: maldeen@ucalgary.ca
Please note: SICI Canada takes no responsibility for missing applications or materials sent by email, post, electronic, or courier.
