The Department of Science and Technology (DST), Ministry of Science & Technology, Government of India, and the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS) invite proposals for Joint Research Projects and Joint Workshops/Seminars under the India-Japan Cooperative Science Programme (IJCSP). This programme aims to foster bilateral scientific collaboration between Indian and Japanese researchers.

I. Areas of Cooperation

Support is available for the following scientific areas:

• Physical Sciences

• Chemical Sciences

• Life Science & Agriculture

• Mathematics & Computational Science

• Astronomy & Earth Science

• Materials & Engineering

II. Who Can Apply

• Principal Investigators (PIs): Each project must have one Indian and one Japanese PI, responsible for the technical and administrative coordination, and periodic reporting to DST/JSPS.

• Eligibility for Indian PIs: Must be scientists or faculty members working in a regular capacity in universities, academic institutes, national R&D labs, or private non-profit institutions engaged in R&D activities. The PI should not retire or leave the parent institute during the project duration.

• Eligibility for Japanese PIs: Must be full-time researchers employed at universities or research institutions recognized by JSPS.

• Project Team Members: Indian applicants involved in two or more ongoing projects supported by DST that will not be completed by 31st March 2025 are ineligible.

• Proposal Submission: Both Indian and Japanese PIs must submit the same proposal to DST and JSPS, respectively, in English. Only proposals submitted to both sides will be considered.

III. Duration of the Project

Projects are to be completed within two years, with visits completed within one year and ten months.

IV. Kind of Support Available

• For Indian Researchers: DST will cover international airfare, visa fees, airport taxes, overseas medical insurance, and airport transfers in India.

• For Japanese Researchers: DST will cover accommodation, per diem, and domestic travel expenses in India.

• Joint Workshops/Seminars in India: DST may cover local travel costs for Indian participants and organizing expenses as per DST norms.

• Contingency: Rs 25,000 per year for exchange of researchers.

V. Guidelines for Proposal Submission

1. Proposals:

   • Use the application forms provided by DST (available on DST website) and approved by the heads of the institutions.

   • Include curricula vitae of both research teams.

   • Include a letter of intent exchanged between the project coordinators.

2. Submission:

   • Deadline: 3rd September, 2024 by 5 PM.

   • Indian researchers must submit the proposal through the DST e-application system on www.onlinedst.gov.in in the DST format.

   • Ensure the identical proposal title is submitted by the Japanese counterpart to JSPS.

   • Proposals submitted to only one side will not be considered.

VI. Evaluation of Proposals

• Proposals will be evaluated at the national level based on scientific relevance, methodology, qualifications, added value of staff exchanges, bilateral cooperation, societal impact, and dissemination of results.

• Preference is given to applicants with ongoing national projects seeking to connect with Japanese counterparts.

• Proposals will be evaluated independently by DST and JSPS, with decisions based on mutually agreed gradings.

• Results will be announced in April/May 2025, with projects starting in June 2025.

VII. Publication of Results

Selected projects will be listed on the DST website.

VIII. Contact Information

For more details, contact:

Dr. Sibashisa Dash
Scientist ‘D’, International Cooperation (bilateral) Division
Room No. 18 D, S & T Block –I
Department of Science and Technology, Ministry of Science and Technology
Technology Bhavan, New Mehrauli Road, New Delhi-110016
Tel: +91 (0)11 2659 0317
Email: sdash.dst@gov.in

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