Deadline: 05-Jun-2026
The Department of Science and Technology India and the Federal Ministry of Women, Science and Research Austria are inviting proposals for joint Indo-Austrian research projects in areas such as quantum science, astronomy, digital infrastructures, and biotechnology. The programme provides up to INR 15,00,000 for Indian teams and up to EUR 15,000 for Austrian teams over two years, with a strong focus on researcher mobility and new bilateral collaborations.
What is the India–Austria Joint Research Programme?
This is a bilateral scientific collaboration initiative designed to strengthen research partnerships between India and Austria.
It supports joint research projects that promote knowledge exchange, researcher mobility, and long-term scientific cooperation between institutions in both countries.
Key Focus Areas
The programme supports collaborative research in:
- Digital research infrastructures
- Research data management and trusted dataspaces
- Astronomy, astrophysics, and astro-particle physics
- Particle physics and quantum science & technology
- Environmental and earth system sciences
- Life sciences and biotechnology
Who is Eligible in India?
Eligible applicants include:
- Faculty members, scientists, and researchers
- Working in universities, national laboratories, or recognized research institutions
- Employment must be regular (not temporary)
- Minimum 5 years remaining before retirement
- Preference for early-career researchers
Additional conditions:
- Must be actively engaged in research
- Must apply with institutional approval
Who is Eligible in Austria?
Eligible Austrian applicants include:
- Researchers in higher education institutions with a PhD
- Researchers in non-university research institutions with at least a Master’s degree
- Doctoral students (as team members only)
Priority is given to:
- Early-career researchers
- PhD students
- Female researchers
- New research collaborations
Project Structure Requirements
Each project must include:
- One Indian Principal Investigator
- Up to two Co-Principal Investigators from India
- One collaborating Austrian research partner
- A new bilateral collaboration (existing partnerships are not eligible)
Additional rules:
- Only one proposal per Indian Principal Investigator
- Maximum of two proposals per Austrian Principal Investigator
Funding Details
Indian Side
- Up to INR 15,00,000 per project
- Duration: 2 years
Austrian Side
- Up to EUR 15,000 per project
- Duration: 2 years
What the Funding Covers
The grant primarily supports researcher mobility, including:
- Travel expenses (covered by sending country)
- Accommodation and daily allowance (covered by host country)
- Limited consumables and research materials
- Contingency and project-related costs
- Small-scale operational expenses
Funding is strictly capped within the approved budget limits.
Key Objectives of the Programme
The initiative aims to:
- Strengthen Indo-Austrian scientific collaboration
- Promote joint research in advanced scientific fields
- Enhance researcher mobility and knowledge exchange
- Support early-career researcher development
- Build long-term institutional partnerships
- Encourage new international collaborations
Why This Programme Matters
This funding call helps:
- Advance cutting-edge scientific research
- Improve global research cooperation
- Support talent mobility between countries
- Strengthen innovation in high-impact scientific domains
- Build sustainable research partnerships
It contributes to both national and international scientific advancement.
How the Programme Works
Step 1: Form a Bilateral Team
Identify Indian and Austrian research partners for a new collaboration.
Step 2: Define Research Theme
Select one of the eligible scientific focus areas.
Step 3: Prepare Proposal
Develop a joint research plan, including mobility activities.
Step 4: Secure Institutional Approvals
Obtain consent letters from all participating institutions.
Step 5: Submit Application
Apply through the official submission channels of both countries.
Step 6: Implement Project
Conduct research exchanges, mobility visits, and joint studies over 2 years.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Submitting proposals based on existing collaborations
- Missing institutional consent letters
- Exceeding eligibility limits for PI submissions
- Weak justification for researcher mobility
- Ignoring focus area alignment
Tips for a Strong Application
- Clearly define joint research objectives
- Emphasize novelty of collaboration
- Strengthen mobility and exchange plan
- Align strongly with priority scientific domains
- Highlight early-career researcher involvement
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- Who can apply from India?
Researchers in universities, labs, and recognized institutions with regular employment. - What is the funding amount?
Up to INR 15,00,000 for India and EUR 15,000 for Austria. - What is the project duration?
Two years. - Is this open to existing collaborations?
No, only new collaborations are eligible. - What is the main focus of funding?
Researcher mobility and joint scientific research. - Can PhD students apply?
They can participate as team members on the Austrian side. - How many proposals can be submitted?
One per Indian PI and two per Austrian PI.
Conclusion
The India–Austria Joint Research Programme under the Department of Science and Technology India and the Federal Ministry of Women, Science and Research Austria offers a valuable opportunity to strengthen international scientific collaboration.
With strong support for mobility, early-career researchers, and cutting-edge science, the programme encourages new partnerships that can drive innovation across key global research domains.
For more information, visit Government of India.
