ISOLA RESEARCH GRANT PROGRAM TO PROMOTE RESEARCH IN THE FIELD OF LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE

VISION
The ISOLA Research Grant Program aimed at strengthening research activities in the realm of Landscape Architecture and is designed to provide financial support to dedicated researchers and scholars who are striving to make significant contributions to the understanding, preservation, and knowledge building in the field of landscape architecture and allied fields. By facilitating research projects, ISOLA aims to promote a deeper appreciation for the intricacies between nature, culture, and the built environment.

WHO CAN APPLY?
Any ISOLA member in good standing from Practice/ Academia at any stage of their career can apply for the grant. There is no age limit for eligibility.
▪ The applicant/s should be ISOLA member in good standing up to the end of the research timeline.
▪ The applicant/s should not be enrolled in any courses/ PHD research during the period of research.
▪ It is advisable that the Applicant works Full time on the Research project in the said duration. However, if he/she is working as a professional in the field as an individual or as a part of an Office/ Organisation during the Research project, he / she must be able to dedicate time to the Research work, meet the deadlines and achieve the deliverables, both stage wise and final to be eligible for funding.
▪ If the Applicant is a part of an office/ organisation, he/she must ensure that his/ her research work is not directly a part of the work being done in professional capacity.
▪ The Applicant will conduct this research as an individual. He may seek help from other individuals as he/she may deem fit, but the Grant will be awarded only to one individual and not to a team.

WHAT RESEARCH AREAS/THEMES MAY BE CONSIDERED?
Research areas/Themes may be related but not limited to:
▪ Landscape Practice and Design
▪ Landscape Pedagogy
▪ Ecology, Ecosystem, Eco-design
▪ Environmental psychology – Empirical research in understanding spaces and their impact on human behaviour
▪ Landscape Urbanism
▪ Landscape history, theory, and criticism
▪ Cultural landscapes
▪ Rural landscapes
▪ Climate change and Landscape Architecture
▪ Sustainable development goals and Landscape Architecture
▪ Landscape policy – effect on indigenous communities, livelihood, resources

The above list only includes broad themes within which a Researcher may propose a specific topic.

The scale and scope of Research should be defined keeping in mind the total duration of the Research project. The theme proposed by the scholar should be original and not previously or currently ongoing elsewhere/ in collaboration with other organisations/institutions/ Government and non- government organisations/individuals. The proposed research should pertain to the area encompassed by the borders of India, both land and maritime and the study area needs to be identified in the proposal. The research should necessarily contribute to the profession and enhance the understanding, preservation, and knowledge building in the subject area. Proposals will be reviewed by the Research Grant Committee and selected on basis of merit and alignment to ISOLA’s vision and objectives.

PROGRAM DURATION AND SCHEDULE
The Research work is to be carried out in a period of 9 months with periodic reviews and deliverables. The broad schedule will be as follows:

FUNDING
The Research Grant will comprise of two annual scholarships of up to 2.5 lakhs each. Funding will be made available to the scholar stage wise in instalments as per pre-determined stages of work and on submission of expected deliverables, on approval by the Research Grant Committee.

SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS FOR THE RESEARCH PROPOSAL
(To be submitted by August 25th 2024)
The applications will be made online in the template provided. Documents to be submitted along with the application are as follows:
▪ Research Abstract (300 words) on the necessity of the topic of research and its relevance, identified study area (location), methodology, expected outcomes and impact (300 words)
▪ Preliminary Research Budget
▪ Brief profile of the Applicant
▪ NOC from the organisation (if working as an employee)

REVIEW AND SELECTION PROCESS
The Review and selection will be a two-stage process, depending on the number of applications.

Stage 1: The Selection Committee will review proposals based on written abstract submitted by the scholar. The proposals will be evaluated based on pre stated criteria and eligible scholars will be short listed for stage 2. This will strictly be a Blind review process.

Reviewer’s comments will be put across to the Applicant, and the same will need to be addressed in the detailed Research proposal (1500 words) to be submitted by the Scholar before Stage 2. This will include the following
▪ Introduction/ Background/ Context of the Research
▪ Aim and Objectives
▪ Scope and limitations
▪ Methodology
▪ Stage wise schedule
▪ Stage wise funding requirement
▪ Expected outcome

Stage 2: Scholars selected for stage 2 will appear for Personal interviews (online) Final selection will take place based on a written proposal + interview.

RESEARCH OUTCOME
The Outcome may be in the form of a book/ booklet/ report/ research Essay/presentation as per the nature of Research and as suggested by the Research Grant Committee.

Click Here for the ISOLA RESEARCH GUIDELINES PDF.

Click Here for the ISOLA RESEARCH PROPOSAL FORMAT PDF.

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