Paired Early Career Fellowship in Applied Research
Department Of Science & Technology
Last updated:
Overview
PECFAR is a fellowship to facilitate a two-way exchange of young early-career Indian and German researchers through short visits for networking and exploring avenues for collaboration and innovation in applied research.
Details
Indo-German Science & Technology Centre IGSTC established a joint initiative of the Department of Science and Technology DST , Government of India and the Federal Ministry of Education and Research BMBF , Government of Germany invites applications for “Paired Early Career Fellowship in Applied Research PECFAR ” from early-career Indian and German researchers to explore, connect and network for research collaboration in applied research. Aim of the Fellowship: The Fellowship intends to- - Support Early Career Researchers to network and explore possibilities to grow in applied research. - Enhance the research capabilities and opportunities in the partner country on various aspects of S&T, entrepreneurship, collaborative research, innovation & lab utilization. - Create impetus to expand bilateral collaboration & research among young researchers. - Build well-knitted long-term cooperation with complementary partnerships through networking & interaction. Fellowship Details: - This fellowship is designed to facilitate a pair of Early Career Researchers to have a short visit to India/Germany for networking and explore avenues for collaboration and innovation in applied research. - The pair will be formed by an Indian and a German Early Career Researcher who shall submit a joint proposal. - The paired fellows can jointly plan the fellowship visits to the partner country India/Germany . - The fellows may also utilize this award to connect and travel to other institutions in India/Germany and enhance their networking. Formation of a Pair: - Applicants shall form a pair consisting of one Indian & German Early Career Researcher holding regular positions in academia/research institution/industry or holding long-term nationally recognized fellowships 4 years and above . - Applicants are solely responsible for identifying & forming their respective pairs and acquiring acceptance letters from institutes/organizations of the paired fellows. - PhD students/Post-Docs affiliated with research institutions/industries are also encouraged to form a Pair. Duration of Fellowship: - The duration of the fellowship will be up to 2 months. - Extension in the duration of the fellowship shall not be entertained.
Benefits
• The financial support shall be provided as a time grant and it will be limited to:
• Fellowship: € 2300 per month/fellow on a pro-rata basis.
• Single round trip economy class airfare including visa fees and medical/travel insurance approximately ₹ 1 lakh (for Indian fellow) and € 1500 (for German fellow).
• Note 01: IGSTC grant is only for covering monthly fellowship, round trip fare, visa, and travel/medical insurance.
• Note 02: A one-time grant will be provided to cover the travel, accommodation, and daily expenses.
Eligibility Criteria
1. Early Career Researchers holding regular positions in academia/research institution/industry or holding long-term nationally recognized fellowships (4 years and above) will be eligible to apply.
2. The applicant should possess the minimum qualification as “Masters in Science/Bachelor in Engineering (4 years)”.
3. PhD Students/Post-docs affiliated with research institutions/industries may also apply.
4. The upper age limit of the applicant should be 35 years.
5. **Note 01:** The applicant with institutional affiliation shall submit a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Head of the Institution at the time of the application.
6. **Note 02:** Applicants must define a detailed activity plan mentioning their objective, work plan, and expected outcomes for the duration of the fellowship.
7. **Note 03:** The Pair must complete his/her visits within 12 months from the initiation of the PECFAR Award.
8. **Note 04:** The time gap between the visits of the two Awardees should be less than 6 months.
9. **Note 05:** Any change in the proposed date of travel should be intimated to IGSTC 45 days before the visit is planned.
10. **Note 06:** The fellows will abide by the conduct, rules, and regulations of the Paired organization & the country.
11. **Note 07:** IGSTC will not be responsible for violation of any Rules and regulations by him/her.
12. **Note 08:** Each of the Awardees of the Pair must submit UC/SE along with the Fellowship visit report in the prescribed format at the end of their visits.
13. **Note 09:** Within 4 weeks of completion of the Fellowship, the Awardees must submit a detailed consolidated Fellowship completion report endorsed by the host institutions in the prescribed format along with representative photos to IGSTC. The travel support for both the Awardees will be reimbursed after the Awardees complete both their visits.
14. **Note 10:** The fellows must recognize and acknowledge the IGSTC fellowship in all online/print documents, communications, reports, publications, etc. on work resulting from the fellowship.
Required Documents
• Passport-size Photograph
• No Objection Certificate from the Parent institution
• Invitation Letters certified from the Host Institutions
• Proof of Date of Birth (Scan copy of Passport/Aadhaar Card)
• Proof of Education Qualifications arranged in reverse chronological order
• Proof of Current Employment/Fellowship Award Letter
• Any other document, as required
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the PECFAR?
A: PECFAR is a fellowship to facilitate a two-way exchange of young early-career Indian and German researchers through short visits for networking and exploring avenues for collaboration and innovation in applied research.
Q: Who are eligible?
A: Early Career Researchers holding regular positions in academia/research institutions/industry or holding long-term nationally recognized fellowship (4 years and above).
Minimum Qualification: Masterin Science/Bachelor degree in Engineering (4 years).
PhD Students/Post-docs affiliated with research institutions/industries may also apply.
Q: Is it mandatory to form a Pair to apply for the fellowship?
A: Yes.
Q: What is meant by long term fellowship eligible to avail the PECFAR fellowship?
A: 4 years and above.
Q: I am an Indian working at a German academic/research institute. Can I apply for this fellowship?
A: Not preferred in case you underwent education in India.
Q: Can I submit separate/multiple applications?
A: No.
Q: Will IGSTC provide any assistance in forming the Pair?
A: No. Applicants are solely responsible for identifying & forming their respective pairs and acquiring acceptance letters from institutes/organizations of the paired fellows.
Q: Is it mandatory for both fellows in pairto visit their respective paired institute/organisation?
A: Yes. It is mandatory for both the fellows in the pair to visit their respective paired institution/organisation. The duration of fellowship visit is up to 2 months with mandatory minimum stay of 3 weeks.
Q: Can the fellows in pair travel to India/Germany at different times?
A: The two fellows can choose to travel to India/Germany at different times but within a time gap of 9 months. They should by all means not travel at the same time.
Q: What is the age limit for applying?
A: 35 years.
Q: What is the nature of the support under this scheme?
A: Fellowship: EUR2300 per fellow/month on pro rata basis.
Single round trip economy class airfare including visa fees and medical/travel insurances up to [?] 1 lakh (for Indian fellow) and EUR 1500 (for German fellow).
Q: What do you mean by parent organization and mentor at parent organizations?
A: The parent organization is the organization in which the fellow is working currently. Mentor will be his/her supervisor/ Head of the organization.
Q: How much time does the evaluation take?
A: IGSTC will complete the evaluation process within 8 weeks approximately after the deadline.
Q: Can the fellowship be extended?
A: No.
Q: Can anyone apply for this fellowship while holding another one?
A: Yes, provided the other fellowship doesn't come with any restrictions.
Q: Will IGSTC provide any assistance in the booking of air tickets, visa appointments and accommodation?
A: No
Q: Are there any rules/restrictions in Air ticket booking?
A: The Awardees shall book single round economy class shortest route air tickets within the sanctioned grant. IGSTC will not reimburse the cost of cancellation and re-routing. There is no restriction on the air carrier or travel agents for booking air tickets.
Eligibility Criteria
Early Career Researchers holding regular positions in academia/research institution/industry or holding long-term nationally recognized fellowships (4 years and above) will be eligible to apply.
The applicant should possess the minimum qualification as “Masters in Science/Bachelor in Engineering (4 years)”.
PhD Students/Post-docs affiliated with research institutions/industries may also apply.
The upper age limit of the applicant should be 35 years.
**Note 01:** The applicant with institutional affiliation shall submit a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Head of the Institution at the time of the application.
**Note 02:** Applicants must define a detailed activity plan mentioning their objective, work plan, and expected outcomes for the duration of the fellowship.
**Note 03:** The Pair must complete his/her visits within 12 months from the initiation of the PECFAR Award.
**Note 04:** The time gap between the visits of the two Awardees should be less than 6 months.
**Note 05:** Any change in the proposed date of travel should be intimated to IGSTC 45 days before the visit is planned.
**Note 06:** The fellows will abide by the conduct, rules, and regulations of the Paired organization & the country.
**Note 07:** IGSTC will not be responsible for violation of any Rules and regulations by him/her.
**Note 08:** Each of the Awardees of the Pair must submit UC/SE along with the Fellowship visit report in the prescribed format at the end of their visits.
**Note 09:** Within 4 weeks of completion of the Fellowship, the Awardees must submit a detailed consolidated Fellowship completion report endorsed by the host institutions in the prescribed format along with representative photos to IGSTC. The travel support for both the Awardees will be reimbursed after the Awardees complete both their visits.
**Note 10:** The fellows must recognize and acknowledge the IGSTC fellowship in all online/print documents, communications, reports, publications, etc. on work resulting from the fellowship.
Benefits
The financial support shall be provided as a time grant and it will be limited to:
Fellowship: € 2300 per month/fellow on a pro-rata basis.
Single round trip economy class airfare including visa fees and medical/travel insurance approximately ₹ 1 lakh (for Indian fellow) and € 1500 (for German fellow).
Note 01: IGSTC grant is only for covering monthly fellowship, round trip fare, visa, and travel/medical insurance.
Note 02: A one-time grant will be provided to cover the travel, accommodation, and daily expenses.
Required Documents
| # | Document |
|---|---|
| 1 | Passport-size Photograph |
| 2 | No Objection Certificate from the Parent institution |
| 3 | Invitation Letters certified from the Host Institutions |
| 4 | Proof of Date of Birth (Scan copy of Passport/Aadhaar Card) |
| 5 | Proof of Education Qualifications arranged in reverse chronological order |
| 6 | Proof of Current Employment/Fellowship Award Letter |
| 7 | Any other document, as required |
Frequently Asked Questions
PECFAR is a fellowship to facilitate a two-way exchange of young early-career Indian and German researchers through short visits for networking and exploring avenues for collaboration and innovation in applied research.