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RFPs: Indo-French Emerging Project Partnerships Programme

Deadline: 28-Feb-2026

The Indo-French Emerging Project Partnerships Programme (2026) is a bilateral funding initiative by India’s Department of Science and Technology (DST) and France’s Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs. It provides up to Rs. 45 Lakhs (€50,000) to support international mobility for scientists and students across all STEM fields. The program specifically targets new collaborations to expand the Indo-French S&T Network.

The Indo-French Emerging Project Partnerships Programme is administered through the Centre for Franco-Indian Promotion of Advanced Research (CEFIPRA). This initiative facilitates high-quality scientific and technological exchanges by funding the international travel and subsistence of research teams from both nations.

Why It Matters: Strengthening Global S&T Networks

This program acts as a catalyst for long-term international research by:

  • Seeding New Collaborations: It focuses on scientists who have not previously worked together, creating fresh nodes in the global scientific network.

  • Supporting Early-Career Researchers: By mandating the inclusion of PhD students and post-docs, it builds future capacity for bilateral research.

  • Mobility-Focused Funding: It removes the financial barrier of international travel, allowing for deep, in-person knowledge exchange that digital communication cannot replicate.

  • Strategic Priority Alignment: It directs resources toward global challenges like decarbonization and AI.

Key Concepts and Definitions

  • CEFIPRA (IFCPAR): The Centre for Franco-Indian Promotion of Advanced Research, the primary platform facilitating this cooperation.

  • Principal Investigator (PI): The lead scientist from an academic institution responsible for the project’s scientific and administrative conduct.

  • Young Scientist: Refers to PhD students, post-doctoral researchers, or junior faculty members involved in the mobility exchange.

  • Institutional Overheads: Funds provided to the host institution for administrative support, capped at 5% of the grant.

Who is Eligible?

The program requires a balanced bilateral consortium.

Required Team Structure:

  • Academic PIs: At least one Indian Academic PI and one French Academic PI.

  • Team Size: Minimum of two scientists per side (the PI plus at least one young scientist/PhD student).

  • Industrial Participation: Startups and established industries are encouraged to participate as partners.

Eligible Subject Areas: While all STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) fields are eligible, including transdisciplinary projects involving social sciences applied to STEM, priority is given to:

  • Decarbonized Hydrogen

  • Applied Mathematics and Artificial Intelligence (AI)

  • Health Sciences

  • Marine Sciences

Funding Details and Restrictions

The grant is strictly dedicated to international mobility costs.

  • Total Budget: Max Rs. 45 Lakhs (~€50,000) for both sides combined.

  • Allowable Expenses: International airfare, daily allowance (per diem), accommodation, and approved miscellaneous travel expenses.

  • Institutional Overheads: Capped at 5% for each side.

  • Ineligible Costs: The grant does not cover fellowships, salaries, recurring lab expenses, or equipment.

  • Project Duration: 1 to 3 years.

How to Apply: Step-by-Step

  1. Identify a Partner: Establish a new collaboration with a counterpart in India or France.

  2. Formulate a Proposal: Define clear scientific objectives and a mobility schedule for scientists and students.

  3. Register on Portal: All PIs and Co-PIs must register on the CEFIPRA online portal.

  4. Prepare Documentation: Draft the research proposal, Joint Submission Agreement, Institutional Certificates, and Curricula Vitae (CVs) in English.

  5. Submit Joint Proposal: Submit the complete package via the portal by 28th February 2026.

Evaluation and Selection Timeline

  • Initial Scrutiny: Conducted by CEFIPRA for administrative compliance.

  • Expert Evaluation (March – June 2026): A joint Indo-French Scientific Expert Committee reviews merit based on novelty, team complementarity, and potential impact.

  • Notification (June – July 2026): Selected projects are officially notified of their grant status.

Tips and Common Mistakes

  • Lack of “Newness”: The program is for emerging partnerships. Proposals between teams with a long history of joint funding may be deprioritized.

  • Missing Young Scientists: Failure to include a PhD student or Post-doc on both sides is a common reason for disqualification.

  • Vague Travel Plans: The duration of stays must be clearly linked to scientific objectives; arbitrary travel dates may lower the score.

  • Overhead Errors: Ensure the 5% overhead cap is calculated correctly within the total budget of Rs. 45 Lakhs.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Can the grant be used to buy lab equipment? No. Funding is exclusively for international travel and subsistence. It does not cover equipment or recurring research costs.

2. Is there a limit on the number of participants? No, but all participants must be listed in the proposal, and the total budget must remain within the Rs. 45 Lakhs limit.

3. Does the Indian PI have to be from a government institution? The PI must be from an academic research organization or institution of higher education. This includes both public and recognized private academic institutions.

4. How often are the projects reviewed? Selected projects undergo an annual review by the joint Scientific Expert Committee.

5. Are social sciences eligible? Only if they are transdisciplinary and applied to STEM fields (e.g., the ethics of AI or the sociology of climate change).

6. Who manages the funds? CEFIPRA acts as the platform for managing the cooperation and dispersing funds according to approved norms.

7. Can a PhD student be a Principal Investigator? No. A PI must be a senior academic faculty member, though the project must include a PhD student as a team member.

Conclusion

The Indo-French Emerging Project Partnerships Programme is a vital instrument for scientists looking to broaden their international reach. By focusing on mobility and the inclusion of the next generation of researchers, it ensures that the scientific bond between India and France remains innovative and sustainable. Interested researchers should prioritize forming their bilateral teams and preparing their English-language proposals before the February 28, 2026 deadline.

For more information, visit CEFIPRA.