IGSTC Industrial Fellowship and PhD Industrial Exposure Fellowship

What are the IGSTC Industrial Fellowship and PhD Industrial Exposure Fellowship?

The IGSTC Industrial Fellowship and the PhD Industrial Exposure Fellowship are two research-mobility fellowships offered by the Indo-German Science & Technology Centre (IGSTC). IGSTC is a bilateral body funded jointly by the Department of Science and Technology (DST), under India's Ministry of Science and Technology, and the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) of Germany. It was set up to deepen cooperation between the two countries in science, technology and innovation, with a particular focus on connecting academic research with industry.

According to IGSTC, both fellowships are built around industry exposure. The Industrial Fellowship supports researchers and faculty in spending a defined period in an industrial or applied-research environment, so that academic work is informed by real industry problems. The PhD Industrial Exposure Fellowship is aimed at Indian PhD scholars, giving them hands-on time in an industrial setting, typically in Germany; to broaden their research beyond the university laboratory.

Key features

• Two distinct fellowships under the IGSTC umbrella, both focused on industry-academia linkage.
• Jointly funded by DST (India) and BMBF (Germany).
• Support for a stay in Germany at an industry or research host.
• Awarded through competitive calls, not on a rolling individual basis.
• Aimed at researchers, faculty and PhD scholars, not the general public.

This is a research-funding programme, not a citizen welfare scheme. It does not provide a personal cash benefit that an ordinary member of the public can claim.

Who is eligible for IGSTC fellowships?

You can apply if:

• You are an Indian researcher, faculty member or PhD scholar at a recognised Indian institution.
• Your work fits the science and technology scope defined in the relevant IGSTC call.
• You can secure an accepting host organisation in Germany for the exposure.
• You have an endorsement or no-objection from your current institution or supervisor.

You cannot apply if:

• You are a member of the public not engaged in eligible research — these are not general scholarships or personal grants.
• You do not have a host acceptance or institutional endorsement where the call requires them.
• You fall outside the specific eligibility (field, career stage or institution type) stated in a given call.

Because eligibility is defined afresh in each call, always read the current call document to confirm whether your career stage and field qualify before you apply.

What documents are required?

How to apply for an IGSTC fellowship

1. Monitor the IGSTC website for open calls under the Industrial Fellowship or PhD Industrial Exposure Fellowship.
2. Download the call document and check the eligibility, scope and deadline for that cycle.
3. Identify and secure a host organisation in Germany willing to receive you, and prepare your research plan.
4. Obtain an endorsement or no-objection from your current institution or supervisor.
5. Submit the completed application with all supporting documents through the route specified in the call, before the deadline.
6. Selected candidates are chosen by IGSTC's evaluation process; on selection, the fellowship terms and travel are finalised with IGSTC.

Since these fellowships run on periodic calls, there is no permanently open application window, apply only when a relevant call is active.

How much do the fellowships provide?

IGSTC notifies the support for each fellowship in the call for applications. The support typically covers a stipend, travel and stay for the exposure period, but the exact amount and the duration vary from call to call and by the fellow's field and career stage. This guide does not quote a fixed rupee or euro figure, because the amounts are set per call and cannot be confirmed against a live official document here. Read the specific call to see the current stipend, allowances and tenure.

Help and where to verify details

• IGSTC contact: 0124-2201540 (Indo-German Science & Technology Centre, Gurugram)
• Official website: igstc.org, fellowships and calls
• Scheme listing: myScheme portal reference igstcifphdief

Always verify the current call, eligibility and support amount on the official IGSTC website. Selection is competitive and merit-based; no agent can secure an IGSTC fellowship for a fee.