India-Austria Bilateral Call for Joint Research Projects (Exchange Visits) 2026

Indian faculty/scientists at public/private universities, national laboratories, and other legal research entities, in regular employment and active research. Must collaborate with an Austrian partner. Early-career researchers preferred. PIs within 5 years of retirement may apply. One application per PI.

The Department of Science and Technology (DST), Ministry of Science & Technology, Government of India, and the Federal Ministry of Women, Science and Research, Republic of Austria, invite Indian and Austrian faculty/scientists/researchers to submit proposals for Joint Research Projects to promote bilateral scientific collaboration.

Thematic Areas:

1. Digital Research Infrastructures, Research Data Management, Trusted Dataspaces
2. Astronomy, Astrophysics, Astro-particle Physics, Particle Physics
3. Quantum Science and Technology
4. Environmental and Earth System Sciences
5. Life Sciences and Biotech

Project Structure:

• One Indian PI and a maximum of two Indian Co-PIs
• Must collaborate with an Austrian faculty/scientist (joint proposal)
• Research stays in both countries are obligatory
• Project duration: 2 years

Funding (Indian Side - DST): Maximum budget per project up to ₹15,00,000.

• Travel: International air travel + overseas medical insurance for visiting researchers borne by sending side
• Accommodation & per diem: Hosting side provides institutional guesthouse/hotel + per diem as per DST norms
• Consumables & Contingency: up to ₹1,50,000 over the 2-year project (invoice-based)
• Not supported: Manpower/staff costs, instrument costs, institutional overhead

Funding (Austrian Side - OeAD): Max EUR 15,000 over two years per project.

Eligibility (Indian PI): Faculty/scientist working at public/private universities, national laboratories, and other legal entities (higher education and national research institutions) carrying out non-profit-oriented research. Applicants must be in regular employment and active research. PIs within 5 years of retirement may apply, but early-career researchers/faculty will be given preference. Only one application per PI.

Submission: Online via DST e-PMS portal only (https://onlinedst.gov.in/Projectproposalformat.aspx?Id=2175). Physical and email applications will not be considered. Joint consent letters from Heads of Institute (Dean/Registrar/Director/HoD) of both Indian and Austrian PIs are mandatory.

Funding Decision: Joint shortlist prepared based on national evaluations in India and Austria. Final decision by the India-Austria Joint Commission on Scientific and Technological Cooperation, announced presumably by December 2026/January 2027.