Background and Description of International Research Training Groups

International Research Training Groups (IRTGs) are collaborative initiatives between German universities and research institutions in other countries, designed to integrate top-level research with structured training for early career researchers. IRTGs foster scientific cooperation through joint research programs and training for doctoral researchers, involving reciprocal research visits between partner institutions. Only universities and research institutions with the authority to confer doctoral degrees can establish IRTGs.

The Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India, and the German Research Foundation (DFG) have created a joint application and funding scheme to support Indo-German IRTGs.

Structure of Indo-German Research Training Groups

Applications for Indo-German IRTGs are open across all subject areas covered by DST, encouraging interdisciplinary projects. Each IRTG should involve two research teams, one in India and one in Germany, with 5 to 10 members each, who have expertise in the IRTG’s research topic and doctoral supervision. The teams must have complementary expertise and be based at single institutions, though exceptions can be made for multiple institutions.

The research and training program should be jointly formulated, reflecting common interests and objectives. Each team should appoint a spokesperson responsible for proposal and scientific coordination.

Funding Guidelines for Indo-German Research Training Groups

DST and DFG provide funding for various project-specific costs, including:

• PhD positions/fellowships (up to 48 months per doctoral researcher)

• Project-specific costs (e.g., consumables)

• Coordinated research visits (6-12 months)

• Joint workshops, conferences, and seminars

• Short-term visits, lectures, and workshops by researchers

Additional funds are available for preparatory meetings for IRTG applications.

Duration of Funding

Indo-German IRTGs can receive support for up to 9 years, divided into two funding periods with a mid-term evaluation to determine funding for the second period. Joint proposals must be prepared according to DST and DFG guidelines, with separate budget requests for each side.

Application and Evaluation Process

Consortia must submit a joint IRTG draft proposal to both DFG and DST. Deadlines are 1 February and 1 August annually. After independent evaluations, positive consortia are invited to submit a full proposal. Renewal proposals for the second funding period are due 12 months before the end of the first period. Proposals are evaluated separately by DST and DFG based on DFG’s criteria for IRTGs.

Preparatory Workshops

DST and DFG may fund preparatory workshops if research cooperation is established and IRTG plans are consolidated. Funding can be applied for before draft proposal submission or after a positive draft proposal evaluation.

Application Process for Indian Scientists

Indian researchers must submit proposals via the DST-EPMS portal, ensuring the joint proposal is also submitted by German counterparts. Detailed submission formats are available on the DST website.

Application Process for German Scientists

German coordinators will submit the joint proposal on the IRTG website.

Further Information

For comprehensive information on Research Training Groups, visit the DFG website and consult the provided guidelines and forms.

Contact Information

• DFG Contact: Dr. Martin Roatsch, Division Research Careers, Tel. +49 228 885-3157, Email: martin.roatsch@dfg.de

• DST Contact: Dr. Rajiv Kumar, Scientist F, International Cooperation (Bilateral), Tel. +91 11 26862503, Email: rajivarc@nic.in

For More funding Opportunities, Visit Global Funding Opportunities.