The French Institute in India (IFI), the educational, scientific and cultural wing of the Embassy of France in India, allocates grants for young researcher (PhD attained <5 years before the launch of this call) and senior researchers (PhD attained >5 years before the launch of this call). The research stay will be in a French laboratory, within the framework of an existing collaboration. This initiative aims to nurture and strengthen Franco-Indian research networks, through the funding of research trips to France for Indian faculty and researchers from eminent Indian Higher Education and Research Institutions (HERI).

The package offered is composed of:

  • 1 return flight ticket India/France/India
  • Stipend of maximum 1027.5 € and maximum 852 € respectively for senior researchers (PhD attained >5 years before the launch of this call) and young researchers (PhD attained <5 years before the launch of this call)
  • social security benefits
  • priority assistance to find subsidized accommodation, subject to availability
  • visa fee exemption

  • The research trip must happen between 1st September 2023 and 31st December 2023, anticipating administrative processing and visa clearance delays.
  • The duration of the trip must be no less than 10 days and no more than 15 days, starting from the date of arrival in France. For trips of less than 15 days’ duration, the stipend will be determined on a pro-rata basis.
  • IFI will undertake the cost and booking of a return flight – India/France/India and a stipend for 10-15 days (maximum 1027.5 € for senior researchers and maximum 852 € for junior researchers) prorated according to the travel dates provided. The stipend will be issued as a lump sum.
  • Although assistance will be provided to find subsidized accommodation, it will be subject to availability and IFI will not pay for the accommodation. Since these accommodations are highly sought after, candidates are strongly encouraged to arrange for their own accommodation with the help of their French host.
  • The application (containing the CV of the candidate, a description of the research project, an overview of the research collaboration with the French host, a presentation of the objectives of the trip to France and its contribution to the strengthening of the collaboration, and an invitation letter from the host HERI along with details of the host) should be submitted here: https://forms.gle/GkVrhvFCoJ7U1HA38.
  • If there is a delay in obtaining an official invitation from the French host HERI, a proof of correspondence with the host may be attached to the application and the official invitation sent later, before Friday, 7th July, 2023 to [email protected]
  • Application deadline: Thursday, 22nd June 2023
  • A selection committee from IFI will evaluate the applications and name the selected candidates on Monday, 10th July, 2023. The decision of the selection committee will be final. Anticipating a large number of applications coming in, requests from applicants for individual assessments cannot be accommodated.

  • Applicants of every nationality, excluding those holding French passports, are eligible to apply.
  • Only faculty and researchers holding a permanent position at Indian HERI can apply, with preference given to those belonging to HERI ranked in the top 100 of the NIRF India Rankings (Overall or in any other category) or those in the 2022 tables of nature index for any Sector and any Subject/Journals or those which have a proven record of world reputation from other credible sources/rankings.
  • Doctoral students or postdoctoral fellows without a permanent position at Indian HERI are not eligible to apply
  • There is no restriction 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 (co-publications, missions, faculty exchange, joint supervision of students, joint research programmes etc.)
  • Applicants must demonstrate the value that such a visit to French labs, colleagues, libraries, etc. holds in their research project and goals

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