Department of Science & Technology (DST) & German Research Foundation (DFG)

Call for joint research proposals

General Information and Guidelines for Proposals In pursuance of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed in Oct 2004 and subsequently a Programme of Cooperation (POC) signed in Nov 2006 on Scientific and Technological Cooperation between the Department of Science & Technology, (DST) and the German Research Foundation (DFG); both sides now intends to invite new joint research proposals for support under Indo-German (DST-DFG) Programme. ELIGIBILITY / PROJECT PARTICIPANTS AND SUBJECT AREAS: Faculty, Scientists and Academicians belonging to Universities, Deemed Universities and Research Institutes having permanent positions can apply as Principal Investigator (PI). In order to qualify for such funding, investigators are required to have a concrete and sound research proposal in the scientific areas of mutual interest to both sides. The following types of proposals shall not be considered: Already existing collaborative projects where travel and living expenses are financed by some other source; Purely individual visits / training programme; FUNDING: Grants will be offered towards travel and living costs, (normally for 4 visits from each side spread over project duration). Depending upon availability of funds from each side and infrastructure facility already available with the institutes/universities, the project related funding can also be considered within the framework of well-defined and approved DST-DFG research projects. The sending side will bear the travel cost (including overseas medical insurance) between the place of work of the scientists/students in their own country and the place of work in the host country while the receiving sides will provide the local hospitality as per the existing norms of the receiving side. The mutual visits of the scientists must be balanced in number (normally 4 visits from each side spread over entire duration of the 2 year project) and should in general, be only for a short duration of time. For senior scientists, the maximum period of each visit shall be one month per year and for young scientists each visit will be for a maximum period of 3 months per year. The project proposals would be accepted through-out the year in two cycles of 6 months each with last dates being 15th September and 15th March. Ten joint research projects would be supported among the proposals received against each cycle.

PROJECT DURATION:

Initially, support to the project will be granted for duration of two years, however, depending on the success and necessity, it may be extended by one more year. A formal application has to be made for extension. In NO case, support to the project shall exceed three years. APPLICATION PROCEDURE: Proposals in the prescribed format (Annexure-I), duly forwarded by the Head of the Institutions are to be submitted simultaneously by the Indian project leader to the Department of Science and Technology (DST), New Delhi and by the German Project Leader to the DFG, Bonn. Applications received by both the agencies with all necessary documents shall only be considered. Applications will be evaluated independently on both sides by an external peerreview system on the basis of scientific merit, need for co-operation and the composition of project teams. Final decision will be made jointly by DST and DFG. The German project leaders are required to submit the identical project document to Dr. H Leisch, Director, DFG HO in Bonn and the Indian Project Investigators are required to send Seven hard copies of the complete application to: Shri R K Sharma, Scientist-C, International Division (Room No 4 B, Adm. Block) Department of Science and Technology, Technology Bhavan, New Mehrauli Road, New Delhi-110 016, along with a softcopy of the application as attachment to sharma_rk@nic.in

The last date for submission of applications for current cycle is 15th Sep 2007

Annexure-I

INDO-GERMAN (DST-DFG) PROGRAMME OF CO-OPERATION IN SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY (Performa for Application for Joint Research Project) Part-I (PROJECT IDENTIFICATION) 1. 2. 3. 4. Title of the Project: Duration of the Project in months: Field of Science & Technology covered by the proposal: ( Key words qualifying the scope of the proposal ) Project Investigators (PI) & Collaborating Institutions INDIAN Name of PI Designation Date of Birth Institute Contact Address Telephone No. : (O) (R) Fax No. e-mail Name of the Co-Investigator(s) Designation Date of Birth Institute Contact Address Telephone No. : (O) (R) Fax No. e-mail GERMAN

Part-II (TECHNICAL INFORMATION) 1. 2. 3. 4. Objectives of the Project (up-to 200 words) Justification for collaboration & brief information about national and international scenario in the proposed area of research (up-to 200 words) Scientific & technical description of the project including methodology (up-to 400 words) Plan of work Time Schedule 1st Year Indian Responsibilities German Responsibilities

2nd Year

5.

Number of exchange visit required to achieve the Project Objectives (Year wise) India to Germany Number Duration Germany to India Number Duration

Period

1st Year 2nd Year 6. Expected results of this cooperation (e.g. joint publications, patents etc.) Are any of the expected results like to have commercial value? How do you propose to share it? (Up-to 100 words) Bio-data of Indian and German investigators to appended in about 2 pages each. [The description should highlight the expertise of the PI(s) in the proposed field of work supported by citing relevant publications only].

7.

Part-III (ADMINISTRATIVE & FINANCIAL INFORMATION)

(i)

Project Cost (Indian side, in INR only) Year Equipments Consumables Contingency

Exchange Visits India to Germany (Air-travel/ Medical Ins.) Germany to India (Per-diem/ Accomm.)

Total

1st yr 2nd yr Total

(ii) Project cost (German side) Year Equipments Consumables Contingency Exchange Visits India to Germany (Per-diem / Accomm.) 1st yr 2nd yr Total Signatures of the Project Investigators & Co-investigators INDIAN GERMAN Germany to India (Air-travel/ Medical Ins.) Total

Declaration from the Heads of the Collaborating Institutions: It is certified that i) The Institutions agree to participate in the Joint Research Project; ii) The Institutions shall provide infrastructure & necessary facilities for implementing the joint project; iii) The Institutions assume to undertake financial & other management responsibility for the part of the project work to be carried out at their institution; and iv) The back-up funding for manpower, consumable etc. is available to this project. Signature & Seal of the Head of the Institutions INDIAN GERMAN

PART-III (For Indian side only) 1. List of on-going research projects with the Indian project participants: Title of Brief description Duration with dates of Funding available the commencement and and source of funds project completion of the project

2. Infrastructure available/required to implement the project: Facilities List of items required for the If not available presently, project how it is proposed to be procured/recruited. Please indicate the source of funding Equipment Manpower Consummables and Contingencies 3. Certified that the following Indian scientists including, SRF/JRF, Post-Docs are presently affiliated with the University/Institute and will be the official project participants for the entire duration of the project: SNo. Name of the Position held From To project participant 1. 2. 3. 4. Certified that the project involves/does not involve (i) Biological Material Transfer / Use of GMOs / Radioactive materials; (ii) Human / animal trials. The institute would submit necessary clearance of nodal agency / department of GoI, if the project is approved. 5. Please mention Name/Address/Contact details including email address/ area of specialisation of 3 possible peer-reviewers of the project proposal. Signature of the Indian PI Forwarded by the Head of Department/University/Institute/Dean