The Research Development Office has developed a database of currently available funding opportunities primarily for Indian researchers. This database is constantly being updated. Although most of the available funding comes from the Government of India, there are many other opportunities from India and overseas that can be applied for.

Personal Support (Tenable in India)
Agency Scheme Eligibility Deadline Duration
British Petroleum (BP)/Bird life International/ Conservation International/Fauna and Flora international/ Wildlife conservation society Conservation Leadership Programme (CLP)-Kate Stokes Memorial Award Team based projects for individuals from developing countries who are early in their conservation career and demonstrate leadership potential

To be announced

 Upto 3 years

CIFAR

 Azrieli Global Scholars program Applicants can be from anywhere in the world, must hold a PhD (or equivalent) and be within the first five years of a full-time academic position. Scholars’ research interests must be aligned with the themes of an eligible CIFAR research program. 5th Feb-2020 2 years
DAE Scientific Research Council (DAE-SRC) Award Individual Scientists/Engineers of the DAE constituent units, as well as those outside DAE, working in public funded institutions. Age less than 47 years Rolling Programme 5 years
DBT Tata Innovation Fellowship Age less than 60 years. emplyoment at a research institute. To be announced 3 years with possibility of 2 year extension
DBT Ramalingaswamy Re-entry Fellowship Age less than 45 years. At least 3 years of post-doctoral research  experience with last two  years from an overseas
laboratory.		 To be announced (Jan) 5 years
DST-SERB Ramanujan Fellowship PhD/MD with excellent proven track-record. Age less than 40 years. Rolling programme 5 years
DST-SERB J C Bose national Fellowships PhD, less than 68 years. Needs to be nominated by the institute Rolling programme 5 years
DST Swarnajayanti Fellowships PhD, Age 30-40 years To be announced (April) 5 years
International Brain Research Organisation (IBRO) Return home Fellowship Scientists who are developing a successful basic/clinical research career in a developed country and wish to return to their country of origin or to a less developed country 1 September  
Lady Tata Memorial Trust Young Researcher Award Strong scientific leadership with more than 10 years experience running an independent lab To be announced 3+2 years based on review of progress
SERB Science and Technology Award for Research (STAR) To recognize and reward outstanding performance of Principal Investigators (PIs) of SERB Projects. 27-July-2020 3 years
SERB POWER Grant To create a funding framework for empowering women researchers in Science, Technology and Innovation(STI) 31 Dec-2020 3 years
DBT-Wellcome Trust India Alliance Margdarshi Fellowship Strong scientific leadership with more than 10 years experience running an independent lab No longer accepting applications to this scheme 5 years
DBT-Wellcome Trust India Alliance Intermediate Research Fellowship 4-7 years PD experience

30 July-2020 (Prelim)

 

 5 years
DBT-Wellcome Trust India Alliance Senior Research Fellowship 7-15 years PD experience 30 July-2020 (Prelim) 5 years
DBT-Wellcome Trust India Alliance Intermediate Fellowships for Clinicians and Public Health Researchers in India 4-7 years of post-MD/post-MS/post-MPH/post-PhD or equivalent research experience To be announced (January) 5 years
DBT-Wellcome Trust India Alliance Senior Fellowships for Clinicians and Public Health Researchers in India 7-15 years of post-MD/post-MS/post-MPH/post-PhD or equivalent clinical research experience To beannounced (January) 5 years

 

 

Personal Support (tenable abroad)
Agency Scheme Eligibility Deadline Duration
Alexander Humboldt Foundation Fellowship for experienced researchers (Germany) Independent PI (Assistant Professor/ Junior Research GL) with < 12 years experience Rolling programme 6-18 months, can be divided into 3 blocks of minimum 3 months each in 3 years.
Alexander Humboldt Foundation International Climate protection Fellowships (Germany) Min Master's level education, first degree less than 12 years ago, practical experience in climate protection/ nature conservation,with leadership potential

1-March-2020

 1 year
American Cancer Society International Fellowships for Beginning Investigators (ACSBI, USA) Beginner Independent investigator or clinician To be announced 6-12 months
       
Indo-US Science and Technology Forum ASM-IUSSTF Indo-US Professorship in Microbiology Microbiologists with significant experience in research or teaching in the field, who have obtained a Phd within past 10 years 15 December each year short term
Union for international cancer control (UICC) Yamagiwa-Yoshida Memorial international study grants (any country overseas) PhD/MD with min 2 years postdoc experience To be announced (March) 3 months
US-India Educational Foundation Fulbright-Nehru Academic and Professional Excellence Fellowships Indian faculty/researchers with at least 5 years teaching experience, preferably below 50 years of age To be announced (July) 4-9 months

 

 

Research Grants
Agency Scheme Eligibility Deadline Duration
British Petroleum (BP)/Bird life International/ Conservation International/Fauna and Flora international/ Wildlife conservation society Conservation Leadership Programme (CLP)-Conservation Follow-up Awards Minimum team of three  with at least 50% involved in previous CLP project and additional new team members with no more than 5 years of paid experience  in the conservation sector To be announced in September Upto 2 years
CSIR CSIR Sposnsored Research Grants PhD, regular appointment in a research institute Rolling Programme 3 years
DBT Project grant PhD, regular appointment in a research institute Rolling Programme 3-5 years
DBT Small Business Innovation Research Initiative (SBIRI) Public-Private Partnership Programme of DBT supports research initiatives of Indian Biotech Industry solely or in collaboration with academic partners. Operated through BIRAC To be announced  
DBT BioCAre Research Grant opportunity (RGO) PhD (age limit 55 years) Women Scientists who are employed or unemployed or are desirous of coming back after a break. To be announced 3+2 years
DBT Accelerated Translational Grant for Commercialization (ATGC)

The primary applicant should be the Project Coordinator with established proof-of-concept ready for validation with proven expertise in the proposed area, demonstrated through                      publications/patents and earlier executed research projects.

 

 To be announced 18-24 months
DST (SERB) Core Research Grant (CRG) PhD, regular appointment in a research institute  9th March-2020 3 years
DST(SERB) Start-Up research Grant (SRG) PhD,  must hold a regular academic/research position in a recognized academic institution/ or national laboratories or any other recognized R&D institutions and must apply not later than the first two years of their regular service  2nd March-2020 3 years
DST (SERB) High risk high reward research The applicant(s) must hold a regular academic/research position in a recognized institution   3 years (extendable to 5 years)
DST (SERB) Industry Relevant R&D The academic partner must hold a regular academic/research position in an academic institution. All industries (including MSME & industrial R&D Centres) are eligible. Rolling programme 3 years
DST (SERB) SERB POWER Fellowship Ph.D. degree in any branch of science and engineering, age limit: 35-55 years of age working in institutions in India. Rolling Programme 3 years
DST Woman Scientist scheme (WOS-A) for unemployed women scientists Rolling programme 3 years
DST Woman Scientist scheme (WOS-B) For unemployed women scientists whose age limit is below 57 years To be announced 2 years
DST Cognitive Science Research Inititative Scientists/academicians  should have a research  background  in  Cognitive  Science  and hold a regular  position To be announced (June) 3 years
DST Nano Mission For research in the field of Nano science and technology, online application Rolling programme 3 years
DFG – German Research Foundation Temporary Position for P.I. Any researcher with Ph.D Rolling programme 3 years
DBT-Wellcome Trust India Alliance Team Science Grants A minimum of three investigators (investigators should have PhD/MD/MBBS-MS/MPH or equivalent, with at least 5 years of experience in running an independent research group or lab). To be announced (April)    5 years
EARTHWATCH Institute US/International Research Grants Advanced scholars and professionals of any nationality, covering any geographic region. EARTHWATCH supports doctoral and post-doctoral researchers, or researchers with equivalent scholarship or commensurate life experience 18 Months prior to reseach initiation Grants renewed annually, long-term research projects are encouraged. Principal investigators to indicate their projected research term.
Gates Grand Challenges Explorations Pump-priming funding for initial ideas. To be announced 1-6 years* (with extension)
ICGEB Collaborative Research Programme Should hold positions at Universities or Research Institutes in any of the ICGEB Member States. To be announced (April) 36 months
James McDonnell Foundation (USA) 2016 Scholar Awards in Complex Systems Science 5-15 years post PhD with a  regular position in a non-profit research institution. No nationality restrictions To be announced 3-6 years
Simons Foundation Autism Research Initiative (SFARI) SFARI Explorer Awards PhD, MD or equivalent with faculty position in research or educational institute. No citizenship or country requirements Rolling Program 1 year
Sree Padmavathi Venkateswara Foundation (SreePVF) Research Grant in the area of Biological Sciences To support research in the area of biological Sciences for individuals and groups engaged in the broad areas of biological and chemical sciences. 31st-Aug-2020 3 years
USAID/NSF Partnership for enhanced engagement in Research (PEER) PIs in developing countries collaborating with a PI in US having a NSF grant active for the duration of the  award To be announced (Jan) 1-3 years
WWF-India Small Grants Program for individuals based in India to carry out conservation research or undertake a conservation project grants are provided twice a year. phase I applications to be submitted by 30 June and Phase II applications by 31-Dec 6-12 months
HHMI/ Gates/ Wellcome Trust/ Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation) International Research Scholars Program Applicants having outstanding scientific training records and exceptional potential for significant in their independent careers and are trained in the United States or United Kingdom at the doctoral, medical, or postdoctoral level for at least 1 year. To be announced 5 Years

 


Infrastructure Grants
Agency Scheme Eligibility Deadline Duration
DBT Creation of Center of excellence and Innovation in Biotechnology (CEIB) PIs with strong track record, permanent position at a non-profit research institution To be announced 5 years, (extendable by maximum 5 years)
DBT SAHAJ

Public and deemed institution/university or private UGC recognized institution/University (including deemed universities) certified for doing Research and Development activities by DSIR

To be announced Upto 5 years
DST Fund for improvement of S&T infrastructure (FIST) All Science Centres having strong postgraduate teaching and research programs which have existed for at least 3 years. To be announced 5 years

 

 


International Collaborations
Agency Scheme Eligibility Deadline Duration
AISTDF ASEAN-India collaborative R&D program

Faculty member at eligible Indian/ ASEAN MS universities/ publicly funded research institutes. The total number of participants on each side should not exceed two.

 Rolling scheme. Formal processing of the proposals shall start wef 1st Jan, 1st April, 1st July, 1st Oct each year.

24-36 months
BRICS Coordinated call for BRICS multilateral projects Pilot call 2016 Should consist of partners from at least three of the BRICS countries. All applicants must fulfil their respective national eligibility rules for research grant applications
Budget: Research funding and exchange visits		 To be announced (Nov) 3 years
DST-CEFIPRA Industry Academia Research & Development Programme  one industrial partner and one research institutes each from India & France (2+2 Model). 1st Feb &1st July each year 3 years
DST-CEFIPRA

Collaborative Scientific Research Programme

At least two scientists, one each from India and France as Principal Collaborators. Principal Collaborators and Joint Collaborators should have permanent position in an Indian or French University/R&D Institution.

15th Jan & 15th July each year

 3 years
DBT/CDTI, Spain Joint Call For Proposals For Technological Co-Operation In The Field Of Biotechnology To support collaborative research projects between scientists in Spain and India in all areas of biotechnology e.g. health biotechnology, industrial biotechnology, nano-biotechnology, agro-biotechnology, biofuels and bioenergy, marine biotechnology, bioinformatics and biomedical engineering To be announced 4 years
DST/JSPS (Japan) Indo-Japan Cooperative Science program (IJCSP) Scientists/ faculty members working in regular capacity in UGC recognized Universities/ Deemed Universities/ Academic Institutes and National Research & Development Laboratories/ Institutes. To be announced 2 years
DBT-BMBF Indo-German Joint Call for Proposals in the area of Biotechnology Scientists/faculty members working in regular capacity in universities, national R&D laboratories/ institutes/universities and private R&D institutes /companies To be announced 2 years
DST- DeitY India-UK Collaborative Industrial Research & Development Programme The Indian Project Lead must be a commercial company. Academic institutions, research hospitals, other R&D institutes can participate in the projects as co-investigators. To be announced  
DST-RFBR Indo-Russian Joint Research Call for Proposals The team leaders must hold a full-time position at a university or research institute in their respective countries. To be announced 2 years
DST Indo-Belarus Joint Research Programme The applicant should be a Leader of a team of scientists in each country and should hold a full-time position at a University or Research Institution To be announced 2 years
Human Frontier in Science Program (HFSP) Young Investigator's grants Junior Independent PI, within 5 years of obtaining an independent position 30th March 2020 (LOI) 3 years
Human Frontier in Science Program (HFSP) Programme grants Independent PI To be announced (March) 3 years
Human Frontiers in Science Program (HFSP) Career Development Award Need to have held one of 2 Feeder Fellowships To be announced 3 years
Indo-US Science and Technology Forum Indo-US R &D Joint Networked Center Needs 2 Indian and 2 American scientists from academia and laboratories (both public and non government) To be announced 2 Years
Indo French Centre for the Promotion of Advanced Research IFCPAR Indo-French Collaborative research projects PhD, permanent appointment in a research institute To be announced (Jan) 3 years
INNO INDIGO Partnership Programme Indo-European Innovation Joint Call for proposals in the field of Bioeconomy Public and/or private entities are eligible according to their respective national/regional regulations. At least three partners of which two partners must be from two different European countries participating in the call, and one from India To be announced 2-5 years (DBT), 3 years (DST)
National Geographic Conservation trust  No restriction on educational qualification. applicants must provide a record of prior research or conservation action as it pertains to the proposed project. at least 8 months prior to anticipated field dates  1 year
NSF-SERB Partnership for International Research & Education (PIRE) Individual scientists  and  research  groups  from  academic  institutions, research laboratories and non-profit  R&D  institutions, which  are  eligible  for normal DST/SERB grants. To be announced 5 years

DBT/DIIS, Australia

Indo-Australian Biotechnology Fund

Applicant should be from Indian not-for- profit research organization/education institution/ public/private research company. Have at least one Australian partner and confirmation from the implementing Australian  agency that a corresponding application from that Australian partner has been received.

 

 To be announced (Jan) 3 years

DBT/EU,                  Europe

H2020 call

To support collaborative research proposals between scientists in India and Europe on projects related to broad thematic areas including Health, biotechnology, food security, sustainable agriculture and forestry, marine, maritime and inland   water research and the bioeconomy.

 

The deadlines vary for the different themes. 22nd Jan, 2019 (Biotechnology), 23rd Jan, 2019 (food security, sustainable agriculture and forestry, marine, maritime and inland  water research and the bioeconomy); 5th March, 2019 (Biotechnology); 24th April, 2019 (Health)

 

 3-5 years

DBT/DFG, Germany

Funding Opportunities for Indo-German Fundamental Research
Projects in the Life Sciences

Applicants must be from Government of   India supported or recognised (Public or Private) academia; research organizations and  urban or other local bodies.

 

Proposals accepted any time of the year

 3 years

DST/RCN, Norway

Indo-Norway Joint Research Projects in S&T

Applicants must be from Government of    India supported or recognised (Public or Private) academia; research organizations and  urban or other local bodies.

 

 22-Feb-2019 3 years

DBT/CRDF/NIH

CRDF Global Request for Proposals

To create single network CRDF consisting of multiple clinical and laboratory research sites and  a multidisciplinary team of Indian and U.S. investigators that addresses an array of TB research questions of importance to India in the global context.

Applicants must be from Government of    India supported or recognised (Public or Private) academia;    research organizations and  urban or other local bodies.

 

 

 28-Feb-2019 5 years
Wellcome-DBT India Alliance Team Science Grants

To support collaborative research projects that address an important health challenge for India. 

 

 17-June-2019 5 years

 

 


International Exchange
Agency Scheme Eligibility Deadline Duration
BBSRC (UK) India Partnering Award Promotes scientifc exchange especially of early career scientists between India  and UK  To be announced (Nov) 4 years
Cambridge -India Hameid visiting fellowship

 

Academics at Indian universities with an existingacademic relationship with colleagues at the University of Cambridge or vice versa

 

 

 Rolling Scheme 1-2 weeks
CEFIPRA-DST Raman-Charpak Fellowship Program Students registered for PhD in an Indian/French institution 15-May-2019 3-6months
DST/ DAAD (Germany) DST-DAAD Project based personnel exchange programme collaborative travel for upto 4 visits on either side To be announced 2 years
DAAD, Germany Research Stays University academics and scientists from India on active duty To be announced 1-3 months
DBT/ MCTI (Brazil) Indo-Brazil-Joint call for proposals in the field of Biotechnology Needs Brazilian collaborator, regular position in research institute To be announced 3 years

DST/BELSPO, Belgium

Call for Proposals: Support of Networking Activities/                Topping-up grant

Academicians who already have an on-going project grant with Belgium collaborator are eligible to participate. Indian scientists, who are presently implementing more than one research project supported from the International Division of the DST are not eligible to apply.

 

 To be announced  
INSA

Indo-Australia Early and Mid-Career Researchers (EMCR) Fellowship Programme 2016-2017

PhD (<10 years of post-PhD experience), Indian   national,   residing   in   India, holding   a   regular   position   in   a   recognized   S&T Institution/University.

 To be announced 3-9 months
IUSSTF

Research Internships In Science and Engineering

US/Indian citizens. PhD and Master students currently enrolled at a regionally accredited institution of higher education in U.S.

 

 To be announced 3 months
Matsumae International Foundation (Japan) MIF Research Fellowship PhD, permanent appointment in a research institute.Needs to work in Japanese institute. 31-July-2019 3-6 months
Royal Society, UK International Exchange scheme Postdoc or holding independent position in research institute/university 30-May 2019 variable from 3months, 1 year or 2 years

 

 


Organising Meetings/Symposia/Workshops
Agency Scheme Eligibility Deadline Duration
DST-SERB Financial Assistance for organising Conference/Seminar/Symposium/Workshops Applicant must hold regular position, must be Indian Citizen residing in India Application should be submitted not earlier than 180 days and not later than 60 days, before the date of the event.  
DST-SERB Accelerate Vigyan      
CSIR Symposium Grants Faculty or scientists working in Government of India recognized institutions 3 months before the event  
Company of Biologists Scientific Meetings Grant Organiser must have a PhD and must be in the organising group for the meeting. No nationality or geographic restrictions but preference given to events where organisers have sought maximal feasible diversity in speakers in terms of geography, gender and age. 4 Jan, 2019; 25 March, 2019  
Company of Biologists Small Meetings grant Organiser must have a PhD and must be in the organising group for the meeting. Rolling scheme  
Indo-French Centre for the Promotion of Advance Research (IFCPAR) Grant for organizing Seminars and Workshops Needs French collaborator 15-Jan and 15- July every year  
DST/Royal Society and Department for Business, Innovation & Skills (BIS) UK India-UK Scientific Seminars PhD with regular appointment at a research institute in India or UK To be announced  
EMBO EMBO Courses and Workshops program Funds conferences, workshops, practical courses and symposia that promote collaborations and exchange in the latest life science advances.Funding priority is given to events held in an EMBC Member State or cooperating country To be announced  
EMBO/Wellcome Trust/DBT India Alliance

India | EMBO Symposia

Symposia must take place in India, but scientists from anywhere in the world are eligible to apply, independent of their nationality.

India | EMBO Symposia must cover frontier, pioneering and interdisciplinary areas of life sciences that are underserved in India, and include speakers with interdisciplinary expertise.

15 Feb 2017 and 15 July 2017

  
Indo-US Science and Technology Forum Indo-US  Bilateral Workshops/ Symposia/ Conferences Qualified scientist from all science disciplines working at Indian and American institutions To be announced  
TWAS International Scientific meetings Organiser must be developing country To be announced  

 


Travel 
Agency Scheme Eligibility Deadline Duration
DBT Travel Support for attending International Conference/ Seminar/ Symposium PhD, Age less than 50 years At least 8 weeks prior to travel date  
DBT CREST Award Applicant must have a permanent job To be Announced 1-12 months
DST International Travel support Scheme open to all researchers. Senior researchers (> 35 years) cannot apply to Int Council of Scientific Unions (ICSU) sponsored events Rolling programme. App. to reach two months prior to the event  
International Brain Research Organisation (IBRO) International Travel Grants For participation in international Neuroscience meetings To be announced  
ICMR International Travel by Non-ICMR Scientists Biomedical scientists engaged in R&D. Senior Scientist (above 35 yrs of age) are eligible to apply only to international scientific events which are not sponsored by international Council of Scientific Unions (ICSU). 6 weeks before the commencement of the event  
INSA-CSIR-DAE/BRNS-DOS/ISRO CICS Travel Fellowship Programme PhD, Indian nationality committee meets six times/year with specific deadline for each meeting  
Ratan Tata Trust and Navajbai Ratan Tata Trust

 

Education grant- Travel grants

 PhD with regular position in research institute, Indian nationality at least 3-4 months prior to departure. 31-May every year  

 

 


Entrepreunership/Technology Development grants
Agency Scheme Eligibility Deadline Duration
Wellcome Trust (UK) Affordable Healthcare in India The PI should be based in India with regular employment in Not-for-profit institutions, governmental or non-governmental organisations and international organisations operating within India.  To be announced  
Wellcome Trust (UK) Biomedical resource and technology development grants applicants in the UK who have a track record in obtaining grant funding. Researchers in low- or middle-income countries  eligible to apply if they have a track record of Trust funding or can demonstrate a strong track record of independent research accomplishment. To be announced upto 5 years

 

 


Others
Agency Scheme Eligibility Deadline Duration
British Ecological Society (BES) Outreach grant Individuals or organisations interested in organising public engagement events in ecology. This includes, but is not limited to, members of the BES, researchers, schools, museums, libraries and community groups To be announced (March)  
BIRAC Contract research and service scheme to facilitate Academia-Industry Collaboration One academic (primary applicant) + private company partner To be announced (March)  
CEFIPRA-BIRAC Red Biotechnology up to pre-commercialization stage The proposals must involve at least two French partners (one academia and one industry) and two Indian partners (one academia and one industry) To be announced 2 years
DBT BioCAre (Research Grant Opportunity) PhD (age limit 55 years). Women currently unemployed, temporarily employed or looking for change in career path To be announced 12 months
DST Utilisation Of The Scientific Expertise Of Retired Scientists(USERS) Age upto 67 years  

2 years
Rolex Awards Young Laureates Will support projects in the field of science and health, applied technology, exploration and discovery, the environment, and cultural heritage To be announced 12-18 months