The French Institute in India (IFI), the educational, scientific, and cultural wing of the Embassy of France in India, allocates grants annually for the mobility of young and senior Indian researchers to France for a short visit to a French laboratory. This visit would be within the framework of an existing collaboration with the French laboratory that the Indian researcher is already engaged in. Through the SSHN programme, IFI aims to nurture and strengthen Franco-Indian research networks by funding research trips involving faculty and researchers from eminent Indian and French Higher Education and Research Institutions (HERI).

Out of the 554 applications received in 2023, 51 were selected based on the excellence of the research project proposed and its importance for bilateral scientific cooperation, in addition to the reputation of the French and Indian Higher Education and Research Institutions involved.

This year again, the French Institute in India (IFI) will be supporting SSHN scientific grants, inviting applicants from across India.

The package offered is composed of:

  • 1 return flight ticket from India to France and back to India.
  • Stipend of up to €1027.5 for senior researchers (PhD attained more than 5 years before the launch of this call) and up to €852 in total for young researchers (PhD attained less than 5 years before the launch of this call and under 45 years old), according to the duration of the trip.
  • Social security benefits.
  • Priority assistance in finding subsidized accommodation, subject to availability.
  • Exemption from visa fees (for research visa).

  • The research trip must occur between August 26th and December 31st, 2024, allowing for administrative processing and visa clearance delays.
  • The trip’s duration should be between 10 and 15 days, starting from the arrival date in France. For trips lasting less than 15 days, the stipend will be prorated accordingly.
  • IFI will cover the cost and booking of a return flight from India to France and back, along with a stipend for 10-15 days (maximum €1027.5 for senior researchers and maximum €852 for junior researchers), adjusted based on the travel dates provided. The stipend will be issued as a lump sum upon the researcher’s arrival in France.
  • Although assistance will be provided to find subsidized accommodation, availability cannot be guaranteed, and IFI will not cover accommodation expenses. Candidates are strongly advised to arrange their own accommodation with the help of their French host, considering the high demand for such accommodations.
  • Applications (including the candidate’s CV, a description of the current collaboration between Indian and French teams, and a presentation of the objective of the stay in France and its contribution to strengthening the collaboration) should be submitted here: https://forms.gle/qfc6BgqM3WAPkGsh9.
  • The host institute in France must issue an invitation letter, which should be included in the application. After the results are announced, a research agreement with the French host institute (using this model: https://www.formulaires.service-public.fr/gf/cerfa_16079.do) and a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Indian Institute must be ready by July 8th. It is advisable to request these documents from the French lab well in advance, considering potential administrative delays.
  • The program should reserve one third of the fellowship amount for young researchers (PhD attained less than 5 years before the launch of this call and under 45 years old).
  • A wait-list of candidates will be maintained in case a seat becomes available from the main list of awardees. Such candidates will be notified personally by IFI.

  • Only Indian nationals residing in India are eligible to apply.
  • Only faculty and researchers holding a permanent position at Indian HERIs can apply, with preference given to those affiliated with HERIs ranked in the top 100 of the NIRF India Rankings (Overall or in any other category), or those listed in the 2023 tables of the Nature Index for any sector and any subject/journals, or those with a proven record of world reputation from other credible sources/rankings [https://www.nature.com/nature-index/annual-tables/2023/institution/all/all/countries-India].
  • PhD students or postdoctoral fellows without a permanent position at Indian HERIs are not eligible to apply.
  • There are no restrictions in terms of the research field or seniority of the faculty/researchers.
  • Preference will be given to applications resulting from viable ties with French researchers, faculty, universities, or research units (such as co-publications, missions, faculty exchange, joint supervision of students, joint research programs, etc.).
  • Applicants must demonstrate the value that such a visit to French labs, colleagues, libraries, etc., holds for their research project and goals.
  • The decision of the selection committee is final and non-negotiable.

  • 3rd May 2024: Launch of the call for applications.
  • 3rd June 2024 (11:59pm): Deadline for applications.
  • 26th June 2024: Announcement of the selected candidates, following evaluation by a selection committee from the French Institute in India (IFI).
  • 8th July 2024: Deadline for submitting the administrative file, including the NOC from the Indian institution and the research convention agreement from the French institution.
  • From 26th August to 31st December 2024: Mobility period in France (with the latest arrival in France by the 16th of December).
Apply here

** For any urgent queries, contact: [email protected]