Proposals must be written in English and clearly marked as DBT-DFG proposals. They can be submitted at any time of the year but have to be submitted to both DFG and to DBT in parallel in accordance with the proposal preparation requirements of each side, respectively. While conforming to the different respective regulations, forms and submission procedures of the two agencies, the project descriptions must be identical in their substance. As the projects must be fully integrated Indo-German research projects, it is expected that the proposals contain detailed information about the mode and essentiality of collaboration between the Indian and the German side.
German researchers can only apply for funds for the German side of a joint project; Indian researchers can only apply for funds for the Indian side of a joint project. It is important for applicants to note that DBT and DFG have not earmarked a special budget for the joint projects to be funded within this funding opportunity. The proposals will be evaluated separately by DBT and DFG within the respective national competitions on the basis of the projects’ scientific merit/quality, the justification for scientific-collaboration and the qualifications as well as the compatibility of the participating team members.
The results of the review process will be shared between the agencies. Funding will be granted for only those proposals where both DBT and DFG recommend funding. Unilateral funding of only one part of a joint initiative will not be possible. DBT and DFG aim to review each proposal within nine months from submission.
