News from Indo-German cooperation

IGSTC holds mega Partners’ Meet in Frankfurt to explore streamlining potential in funding programme
On June 14 and 15, the Indo-German Science and Technology Centre organised a ‘Partners Meet’ in Frankfurt. On the occasion of IGSTC’s 12^th Foundation Day, 100+ stakeholders from Indian and German academic institutions and industries took part in the event. The aim of the event was to create a platform for all the partners of ongoing projects to meet and discuss various aspects including progress of the projects and their achievements until now. Another objective of the Partners Meet was to have a close interaction with the IGSTC grants team to discuss and clarify on any issues that the project partners may have faced or are facing during the implementation of the project. IGSTC is playing a crucial role in enabling collaborative research through numerous Indian and German academic institutions and industries. IGSTC’s flagship programme 2+2 projects has supported a total of 44 projects partnering research institutions, academia and industries creating a network of more than 190 organisations across India and Germany. R. Madhan, Director, IGSTC affirms, “IGSTC Partners meet is a biennial event where academic, research and industry partners from India and Germany associated with the flagship program of IGSTC 2+2 project scheme interact, exchange ideas and network towards strengthening Indo-German collaboration.”

Indo-German MoU in the field of Quantum Materials enters into force
On June 8, the Indian Cabinet approved an MoU signed between S.N. Bose National Centre for Basic Sciences (SNBNCBS), Kolkata, India and Leibniz-Institut für Festkörper- und Werkstoffforschung Dresden, Germany (IFW). The MoU covers scientific cooperation in the field of ‘Novel Magnetic and Topological Quantum Materials’. The aim of the joint agreement is to foster Indo-German collaboration and facilitate joint progress in the area of magnetic and topological quantum materials. Exchange of professional support and faculty will give researchers the opportunity to carry out collaborative research in this field. SNBNCBS is an autonomous research institute established under DST focusing on ambitious research in Basic Sciences, whereas IFW Dresden is a non-university research institute and a member of the renowned Leibniz Association that combines research in physics, chemistry and materials science with the technological development of new materials and products.
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DST and DFG chiefs brief institutions on funding opportunities under new IRTG call
On June 1, an online webinar was conducted as part of outreach activity to promote the International Research and Training Group (IRTG) call between DST and DFG. Over 80 participants from German and Indian universities and institutions attended the webinar and discussed their queries and details about the call. DST Secretary Dr. S. Chandrashekhar stressed on aligning priority areas with scientific importance in India and Germany. Priority areas of the call include Sustainable Energy Technologies, Environment and Clean Technologies, Biobased Economy, Food and Agri Technologies, Integration of AI and machine learning in all domains, amongst others. Dr. Katja Becker, President, DFG, affirmed, “This programme is a beacon for Indo-German Partnerships. It will create strong research collaboration through bottom-up approach to address global challenges.”

Upcoming events and conferences

DAAD Early Career Research Symposium
On September 5-9, the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), the Max Weber Forum for South Asian Studies and ICAS:MP Metamorphosis of the Political are organizing a four-day ‘Early Career Research Symposium’. The symposium is a platform for researchers to showcase the work in the field of Resilient Societies. The aim is to recognize and facilitate exchange of ideas in the fields of humanities and social sciences. DAAD also invited applications from doctoral students and postdocs from South Asia, Germany and Europe who are working on topics related to India, South Asia, Germany and Europe to present at the symposium.
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Info-Session on Future of Agriculture in India and Brazil
On June 29, TUM India and Sao Paolo Liaison Offices invite scholars, researchers, scientist and students for a virtual info session on how Germany, India and Brazil are working in the field of smart farming. This panel discussion with professors from TUM, IIT-Kharagpur and experts from the industry will provide insights into the progress that has taken place in the scaling up and productivity of farm equipment and technological revolution via AI, sensors, and analytics.
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Webinar on hosting offers in German yunder the MSCA-Postdoctoral Fellowships Call 2022
On July 1, EURAXESS India is organising a webinar on how to apply for the 2022 MSCA-Postdoctoral Fellowships, with a special focus on German host organisations. Experts from KOWI will present hosting offer opportunities for candidates from India, and advise on how to find a suitable host. Details about the call, introduction of selected institutions, respective hosting offers, and guidelines on how to apply will also be covered.
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DAAD events

Web Q&A: Masters in Germany
Still have questions on Masters in Germany after attending a DAAD Web Session or reading on the DAAD website? Here is your chance to get them all answered.
June 21, 3:00 PM, Online
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Web Q&A: PhD in Germany
Still have questions on PhD in Germany after attending a DAAD Web Session or reading on the DAAD website?
June 28, 3:00 PM, Online
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Web Q&A: DAAD Scholarships for Masters and PhD
Have questions on DAAD scholarships for Master studies and PhD after reading on the DAAD website? Here is your chance to get them all answered.
June 28, July 5 and July 12, 4:00 PM, Online
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Read more and register for July 5
Read more and register for July 12

Web Q&A: Bachelors in Germany
Still have questions on Bachelors in Germany after attending a DAAD Web Session or reading on the DAAD website?
June 29, 3:00 PM, Online
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Web Session: Pre-Departure for Germany-bound Students
June 30, 3:00 PM, Online
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Web-Session: Masters in Germany – Madhuri shares her experience
Join this web session and interact with Madhuri as she shares her experience of doing a Masters degree in Germany.
July 5, 3:00 PM, Online
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Web Session: PhD in Germany – Humera shares her experience
Join this web session and interact with Humera as she shares her experience of doing a PhD in Germany.
July 6, 3:00 PM, Online
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Web Session: Bachelors in Germany – Chinmaya shares his experience
Join this web session and interact with Chinmaya as he shares his experience of doing a Bachelors degree in Germany.
July 12, 3:00 PM, Online
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Overview: Structure your PhD proposal
July 14, 3:00 PM, Online
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Web Q&A: Masters in Germany
Still have questions on Masters in Germany after attending a DAAD Web Session or reading on the DAAD website? Here is your chance to get them all answered.
July 19, 3:00 PM, Online
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Web Panel Discussion: Research and Career Opportunities in Bio Sciences
July 21, 3:00 PM, Online
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Web Q&A: PhD in Germany
Still have questions on PhD in Germany after attending a DAAD Web Session or reading on the DAAD website?
July 26, 3:00 PM, Online
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Web Q&A: Bachelors in Germany
Still have questions on Bachelors in Germany after attending a DAAD Web Session or reading on the DAAD website?
July 27, 3:00 PM, Online
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Calls for proposals

Falling Walls Lab India 2022
DWIH New Delhi and DAAD India invite applications from university students, entrepreneurs, early-career researchers, academicians from all disciplines for the latest Falling Walls Labs competition. Applicants need to present breakthrough ideas that create a positive impact on science and society with a 3-minute presentation video.
Application deadline: June 26, 2021
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DAAD SDG Partnerships 2023-2026
DAAD invites applications for the programme SDG Partnerships 2023-2026. The aim of this programme is to establish partnerships between German higher education institutions and the higher education institutions in developing countries. This will also help in establishing high-performing internationally networked higher education institutions in partner countries. German institutions, university hospitals and non-university research facilities are eligible to apply for this programme.
Application deadline: June 30, 2022
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International Data Science Summer School
The School of Information, Media and Design, SRH University Heidelberg, invites applications for an International Data Science Summer School from September 5 - 11. The school offers a broad introduction into the world of practical data science. It will be a combination of theoretical and practical workshops in data science, data engineering and data analytics, with a strong focus on applications in business and industry. Selected students will have the opportunity of a cultural exchange and an insight into the German job market through direct networking with experts from the field. The Summer School is supported by DAAD.
Application deadline: June 30, 2022
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DFG and DST Indo-German International Research Training Groups
The Department of Science and Technology (DST) and the German Research Foundation (DFG) invite applications under a new joint funding programme for Indo-German International Research Training Groups (IRTGs). Indian and German universities can promote systematic scientific cooperation together through joint research programmes with a duration of up to 9 years, including many PhDs and postdoc positions. IRTGs can be established by universities and research institutions entitled to confer doctoral degrees. It should be run by two teams of principal investigators in india and Germany. Researchers in all subject areas covered by DST are eligible to apply.
Application deadline: August 1, 2022
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Calls for proposals in molecular biology
The Heidelberg Biosciences International Graduate School (HBIGS) invites applications from PhD and Master’s students who are keen to work on fundamental cell and biological questions in the field of morphogenesis and organisation of membrane-bound organelles and biochemistry. Candidates must have a background in molecular cell biology, biochemistry or related fields. HBIGS offers excellent research opportunities and comprehensive academic and complementary training.
Application deadline for the field of biochemistry: July 31, 2022
Application deadline for the field of morphogenesis: August 31, 2022
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Calls for proposals for a HGGS Membership
The Heidelberg Graduate School for the Humanities and Social Sciences at Heidelberg University (HGGS) invites applications for Graduate Membership from excellent doctoral candidates from Faculty of Modern Languages, the Faculty of Philosophy, the Faculty of Theology, the Faculty of Law, the Faculty of Behavioural and Cultural Studies and the Faculty of Economics and Social Sciences. The aim is to foster innovative research projects and offer a collaborative research environment within a broad national and international network. Applicants must hold an M.A. or equivalent in one of the faculties mentioned above.
Application deadline: September 30, 2022
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ICAS:MP offers Short-term fellowships for the senior researchers
The M.S. Merian – R. Tagore International Centre of Advanced Studies “Metamorphoses of the Political: Comparative Perspectives on the Long Twentieth Century” (ICAS:MP) invites applications from senior researchers and a smaller number of postdoctoral scholars to work in areas, namely, History as a political category, critiques and renewals of democracy, normative conflicts and transformation, challenge of gender, political economy of growth and distribution and media and the constitution of the political. Applicants must hold a PhD degree or complete their PhD by 2023 to apply. The research project must be related to the research programme of a thematic module and to the broader ICAS:MP research agenda.
Application deadline: September 30, 2022
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Special Call for Indo-German Bilateral Virtual Workshops
The Indo-German Science & Technology Centre (IGSTC) invites proposals for Indo-German virtual thematic workshops for interactions between scientists/researchers from academia and industry. The workshops are to be designed around a specific research topic out of thematic areas relevant to both DST and BMBF. Scientists holding regular positions in public or private non-profit research organisations, institutions of higher education and universities are eligible to submit applications.
Applications are considered on a rolling basis.
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Institute of the month

Indian Institute of Science Bangalore (IISc)
The Indian Institute of Science Bangalore was established in the year 1909 and is today considered as India’s premier institute for advanced scientific and technological research and education. The institute has over 42 academic departments and centres with around 4000 students and 2000 active researchers in all frontiers of science. It provides excellent undergraduate, postgraduate and PhD programmes aimed at research-oriented training in basic sciences. It consistently features among top Indian institutions in world university rankings and was selected as Institute of Eminence in 2018. The institute initiates and carries out research programmes that are at par with international standards. It encourages collaborative programmes with various international universities and research organisations. Such programmes allows exchange of visitors for an enhanced cooperation. IISc currently has several active research, faculty and student mobility MoUs with German universities, namely with RWTH Aachen, University of Passau, TU Munich and Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, amongst others.

Did you know?

Around 10,000 school pupils conducted experiments in DESY’s school laboratories in the year 2019, as part of a programme to facilitate early exposure to the unique fundamental research opportunities at DESY.
DESY is a particle accelerator in Hamburg, founded in 1959. Researchers use the large-scale facilities at DESY to explore the microcosm in all its variety. The facilities generate the world’s most intense X-ray light, accelerate particles to record energies and open completely new windows onto the universe. India is a substantial financial contributor to the PETRA III extension of DESY, and sends numerous researchers to conduct experiments at DESY facilities.