Introduction

The Department of Science and Technology (DST), India, and the Centre for the Development of Technology and Innovation (CDTI), Spain, have launched a joint call for proposals for R&D&I projects. This initiative aims to foster collaboration between Indian and Spanish organizations on market-driven research and technology development. The program encourages partnerships and business-led collaborative projects, funding ambitious joint R&D projects of a high international standard. Successful projects will receive funding from DST through TDB in India and CDTI in Spain.

Scope of Work

This call focuses on collaborative R&D projects in several thematic areas: circular economy and sustainability (including water technologies), digital transformation, digital health and medical devices, artificial intelligence, advanced materials, and other sectors of mutual interest. Industry-driven, market-oriented projects are prioritized, focusing on new or substantially improved products, processes, or services. Projects must demonstrate clear added value from the collaboration and have a civilian purpose.

Eligibility

Eligible Indian applicants must be for-profit companies registered under the Companies Act 1956/2013, headquartered and operating in India. Academic institutions and research centers are encouraged to partner with industry leads. The Indian Project Lead (IPL) company must be at least 51% owned by Indian citizens. Sole proprietorships and partnerships are ineligible. Preferences are given to companies with in-house R&D centers recognized by DSIR and MSMEs. Eligible Spanish applicants must include at least one company; participation of research institutes/universities is welcome.

Budget and Duration

The total project funding as a grant for Indian applicants is up to 50%, with a maximum of ₹150.00 Lakhs per project. Indian industry may receive up to 50% of their eligible costs on a reimbursement basis. Indian R&D organizations/academic institutions may receive up to 100% of their costs in advance. DST funding must be matched equally by Indian industry. The Spanish company's funding is determined by CDTI's conditions and budget availability. Project duration is up to two years.

Additional Information

The call emphasizes the importance of a well-balanced consortium, clear added value from collaboration, and a strong commercialization plan. Applicants must possess basic infrastructure/test beds and a developed Proof of Concept (PoC). The application process involves a two-stage evaluation: a common international phase and a national-level phase.

Key Dates

• Launch of Call for Proposals: December 19, 2024

• Deadline for Submission: May 20, 2025 (17:30 IST – 14:00 CET)

• Eligibility feedback to applicants: May 27, 2025

• Announcement of awarded projects (estimated): November 2025

Application Process

Joint proposals must be submitted to both CDTI and TDB by the deadline. Indian participants submit online through the TDB portal (http://tdb.gov.in/), while Spanish participants use the CDTI website (https://sede.cdti.gob.es/). Required documents include a joint project proposal, consortium agreement, and additional supporting documents specified by TDB for Indian applicants.

Selection Process

Projects undergo a two-stage evaluation. The first stage assesses eligibility. The second stage involves peer review and independent processing by both India and Spain. DST/TDB and CDTI jointly decide on funded projects based on national-level evaluations considering technology maturity, technical capability, financial capacity, project balance, and commercialization potential.

Contact Information

For Spain: Ms. Pilar de Miguel (mariapilar.demiguel@cdti.es) and Ms. Patricia Sánchez (patricia.sanchez@cdti.es; india@cdti.es). For India: Dr. Nagaboopathy Mohan (dst-icd@gov.in) and Dr. Somnath Paul (somnath.paul@tdb.gov.in, 011-26511184, +91 8013730408).

Reporting Requirements

Participants submit financial and technical reports to their national funding organizations as requested. Progress and final results are monitored by the respective national funding organizations. Both parties conduct international follow-up until project completion.

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