DBT DFG Programme for Indo-German Fundamental Research Projects in Life Sciences

DBT and DFG resume their open synchronised funding programme for fundamental research projects in all fields of the life sciences

The Department of Biotechnology (DBT) and the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG, German Research Foundation) wish to inform the Indian and German scientific communities that, effective immediately, it is possible for teams of Indian and German researchers to seek synchronised funding for integrated Indo-German cutting-edge fundamental research projects proposing innovative approaches in the academic disciplines covered by the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Ministry of Science and Technology, Government of India, with a duration of up to three years.

Since this programme addresses all fields of the life sciences, interested applicants may note that it is also suitable for Indo-German projects about epidemics or pandemics such as the current SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. Please note that in line with the general orientation of this programme, only proposals describing fundamental research projects will be considered. This excludes, for example, clinical trials or applied diagnostics. If you are unsure about whether a given project would count as fundamental research, please contact DBT and/or DFG before you write and submit a proposal.

Points to remember:

1. Proposals must be written in English and clearly marked as DBT-DFG proposals (as part of the project title).
2. They can be submitted at any time of the year but have to be submitted to both DFG and to DBT in parallel in accordance with the proposal preparation requirements of each side, respectively.
3. While conforming to the different respective regulations, forms and submission procedures of the two agencies, the project descriptions must be identical in their substance.
4. As the projects must be fully integrated Indo-German research projects, it is expected that the proposals contain detailed information about the mode and essentiality of collaboration between the Indian and the German side.
5. German researchers can only apply for funds for the German side of a joint project; Indian researchers can only apply for funds for the Indian side of a joint project. For visits and meetings between both sides, the rule is that the sending side must cover the travel costs while the receiving side covers the complete local hospitality costs. Joint workshops must be financed from the side where they take place.
6. German applicants will detail their budgets both in the proposal file and in the online form on the elan portal. Indian applicants will detail their budgets in the DBT application form.

It is important for applicants to note that DBT and DFG have not earmarked a special budget for the joint projects to be funded within this funding opportunity. The proposals will be evaluated separately by DBT and DFG within the respective national competitions on the basis of the projects’ scientific merit/quality, the justification for scientific collaboration and the qualifications as well as the compatibility of the participating team members.

The results of the review process will be shared between the agencies. Funding will be granted for only those proposals where both DBT and DFG recommend funding. Unilateral funding of only one part of a joint initiative will not be possible. DBT and DFG aim to review each proposal within nine months from submission. 

Last Date:

Submission of proposals under this open funding opportunity will be possible between 11 May 2020 and 28 February 2021. Please note that this is not a deadline – project proposals will be reviewed as soon as they are submitted, and early submissions are encouraged.

DFG and DBT may extend the programme beyond the provisional end date given.

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