Welcome
Wiss-Nama Newsletter January 2026
News from Indo German cooperation
India and Germany expand cooperation in higher education and skills
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz visited India from January 12-14. He was welcomed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Ahmedabad, where they signed various MoUs and made a few announcements in the field of higher education and skill development. India and Germany have announced a major expansion in cooperation on higher education, student mobility, skills development, and cultural exchanges. An Indo-German Roadmap on Higher Education was announced, which aims to enhance institutional linkages, joint and dual degree programs, and research collaboration in areas like AI, climate science, and sustainable tech. PM Modi also encouraged German universities to set up campuses in India as part of the National Education Policy (NEP). Collaboration between Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) and German Technical Universities is driving innovation and skills development, with joint research and doctoral programs bridging academia and industry. Germany is becoming a top destination for Indian students, particularly in engineering and natural sciences. Chancellor Merz emphasized the value of Indian students to Germany’s academic and economic sectors. India and Germany also agreed to introduce a visa-free transit facility for Indian passport holders, easing travel for students, researchers, and professionals. A Global Skills Partnership will come into force, which aims to match India's skilled workforce with Germany’s demand for workers in fields like healthcare, engineering, and manufacturing, with a focus on training, certification, and worker rights. Both nations will boost German language teaching in India, which is key for academic, professional, and cultural integration. The two countries also committed to strengthening cultural ties through exchanges in arts, tourism, and heritage preservation. This expanded cooperation positions education and people-to-people exchanges as key elements of the growing India-Germany strategic partnership, with a focus on long-term collaboration in education, skills, and cultural ties.
Upcoming events and conferences
DAAD Events
Higher Studies and Research in Germany
Students will be guided about pursuing Bachelor, Master & PhD in Germany, eligibility criteria, types of universities, application procedure, visa procedures, scholarships etc. The presentation will be followed by an interactive Q&A session.
Bengaluru: January 30, 2026, 3:00 PM, DAAD Information Centre Bangalore, At Indo German Chamber of Commerce, 403 Shah Sultan, 4th Floor, Cunningham Road, Bengaluru 560052
Web Session: Bachelors in Germany
Join this web session to know more about doing a Bachelors in Germany and get your questions answered too.
February 12, 2026, 4:00 PM, Online
Online Session with German Universities
Learn more about study opportunities in Germany and interact with representatives of Bucerius Law School Hamburg, KLU Hamburg and Hochschule der Bayerischen Wirtschaft, Munich
February 18, 2026, 3:00 PM, Online
Online Pre-Departure Session
This event will provide valuable insights, tips, and networking opportunities to ensure a smooth transition to your new academic life in Germany. Open for students with admission to a German university for Summer Semester 2026.
February 26, 2026, 3:00 PM, Online
Calls for proposals
Open Call for Indo-German Bilateral Workshops
The Indo-German Science & Technology Centre (IGSTC) invites proposals for organising Indo-German workshops on areas of mutual interest with an aim towards creating platforms for substantive interactions between scientists / researchers from academia and industry. The workshops have to take place in India or in Germany and to be designed around a specific research topic out of thematic areas relevant to both DST and BMBF (now BMFTR), which includes the thematic areas of 2+2 project calls. Any other relevant topics of very high importance may also be considered. Proposals with a potential for generating follow up activities including joint projects are preferred. Training workshops as well as meetings between two institutions do not fall under the scope of this call. Persons holding regular positions in public or private non-profit research organisations, institutions of higher education and universities are eligible to submit applications. The application should be submitted by the coordinating host institution / coordinator.
Application deadline: January 31, 2026
Europe: 18 PhD Positions Available | MSCA Doctoral Network RAPTORplus
Eighteen fully funded PhD positions are available through the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) Doctoral Network RAPTORplus, a collaborative program led by Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf. RAPTORplus aims to enhance cancer treatment by developing adaptive particle therapy, which personalizes radiotherapy based on real-time anatomical and biological data. The program addresses challenges in particle therapy, particularly with treatment accuracy during long therapy cycles. Doctoral candidates will engage in research across three work packages: clinical implementation, technological innovation, and biomarker-based adaptation. The positions are spread across leading institutions in Europe, with mandatory international secondments. Selected candidates will receive competitive salaries, social security coverage, and full research support. Applicants must hold a Master's degree, have no doctoral degree, and be willing to relocate for up to three years.
Application deadline: February 9, 2026
Molecular Systems Science and Engineering – Master at Heidelberg University
The Master’s program in Molecular Systems Science and Engineering (MSSE) at Heidelberg University provides an interdisciplinary education in the fields of Physics, Chemistry, Materials Science, and Molecular Life Sciences. Offered entirely in English, this four-semester, consecutive program starts in the winter semester and includes both compulsory and elective modules. In the first semester, students select from core subjects like Energy Conversion, Molecular Engineering, Biomaterials, and Nanosystems, alongside a specialization in areas such as Molecular Engineering or Life-Inspired Molecular Systems. In the second semester, students deepen their expertise in topics like Functional Organic Materials or Synthetic Biosystems, while gaining skills in Data & Project Management and Technology Transfer. The third semester emphasizes lab rotations at Heidelberg University and abroad, and the fourth semester is dedicated to the Master’s Thesis. The program is designed to prepare graduates for careers in research and development or PhD programs, with a focus on independent scientific research, lab techniques, and project management.
Application deadline: March 15, 2026
Cologne International Forum Innovative Tandem Collaborations
The University of Cologne’s Cologne International Forum is inviting applications for the Innovative Tandem Collaborations funding program, which supports international research partnerships and innovative projects. This initiative fosters collaboration between one postdoctoral or advanced doctoral researcher from the University of Cologne and an international postdoctoral researcher based outside Germany. The program encourages novel, unconventional research formats and offers up to €15,000 in funding for research-related expenses such as travel, workshops, or short research stays. The goal is to establish long-term, sustainable international collaborations. Applications are reviewed twice a year by an interdisciplinary selection committee.
Application deadline: March 31, 2026
Indo-German Funding Opportunity for Joint Research Projects in the field of Social Science Research
In pursuance of the MoU signed between the Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR) and the German Research Foundation (DFG) Germany, proposals for joint Indo-German academic research projects in the field of Social Sciences and Humanities are invited. Proposals submitted by teams of principal investigators with some initial cooperation experiences are welcome. The objective of this programme is to promote and strengthen the research cooperation in the field of Social Sciences and Humanities between the two countries, by providing funding to allow joint research activities for internationally excellent research in relevant areas of mutual interest and benefit. This is a co-funding mechanism for the support of joint research projects between ICSSR and DFG. Applicants must be permanently employed in a research or academic position in a recognized research or academic institution – either publicly funded university/college, deemed universities recognized by the UGC or a publicly funded research institute or ICSSR research institutes/recognized institutes. They must also hold a PhD or equivalent qualification and have an interest in high quality research which may be evident by past studies, publications and academic background.
The collaboration opportunity will be open throughout the year with no deadline.
Campus Conversations: Himanshu Chawla, RWTH Aachen University
1. Could you please tell us about your role at RWTH Aachen and how do you contribute to the university’s global outreach efforts?
I head the RWTH Aachen University India Office and represent the university across India’s academic and research ecosystem. My role focuses on strengthening institutional partnerships, supporting student mobility, expanding research collaborations, and working closely with Indian alumni and partner universities. I also coordinate with German institutions such as the DAAD, DWIH, and the German Embassy to further RWTH’s strategic engagement in Indo-German academic cooperation.
2. RWTH Aachen is known for its diverse academic programs and research initiatives. Tell us a bit more about them.
RWTH Aachen University is one of Germany’s eleven Universities of Excellence and among Europe’s leading technical universities. It is internationally recognised for its interdisciplinary research and strong integration with industry.
The university’s academic and research focus addresses major global challenges such as sustainability, artificial intelligence, climate resilience, biomedical technologies, and next-generation mobility. These priorities are embedded across RWTH’s flagship university programmes, research initiatives, and innovation ecosystem.
3. What are some of the key highlights of the University that Indian students should know about?
RWTH Aachen is one of the most popular destinations for Indian students in Germany, with more than 2,500 Indian students currently enrolled — the largest Indian student community at any German university.
Indian students benefit from world-class education, strong industry linkages in one of Europe’s leading technology regions, and a vibrant international campus. The Association of Indian Students in Aachen (AISA) plays an important role in supporting new students through mentoring, orientation, and cultural activities.
With English-taught Master’s programmes, excellent research infrastructure, and Germany’s stable post-study work framework, RWTH offers strong academic and career prospects.
4. What specific opportunities does RWTH Aachen offer for Indian students in terms of scholarships, research collaborations, or exchange programs? Do you have MoUs with any Indian universities or institutes?
RWTH Aachen maintains long-standing and multi-layered partnerships with leading Indian institutions, including IIT Madras (strategic partner for 60 years), IIT Delhi, IIT Bombay, IIT Roorkee, IISc Bangalore (renewal underway), and IIT Mandi. RWTH also offers dedicated fellowship and research mobility programmes for Indian scholars. These include the RWTH India Junior and Research Fellowships, which support research stays and doctoral collaboration, and the Advanced Research Opportunities Program (AROP), which enables short-term research visits at RWTH for scholars from strategically relevant partner institutions.
On the student side, RWTH runs the Fast Track Bachelor Admission (FTBA) programme in cooperation with the PASCH school network supported by the Goethe-Institut, allowing high-performing students with German language skills to directly enter undergraduate programmes.
5. Are there any new developments or new initiatives that Indian students can expect from RWTH Aachen in the coming months or years?
India plays a central role in RWTH Aachen University’s international strategy. We expect a continued increase in Indian student and researcher mobility, along with deeper institutional cooperation. RWTH is further expanding joint research projects, exchange programmes, and interdisciplinary initiatives with Indian partner institutions. New thematic collaborations are emerging in areas such as sustainability, climate adaptation, digitalisation, health technologies, and advanced engineering.
With a growing alumni network, strong industry partnerships, and an expanding portfolio of joint academic initiatives, RWTH Aachen is well positioned to further strengthen its long-term engagement with India in the coming years.
Did you know?
For international students, the field of Engineering is more popular in Germany. 43.1% of all international students in Germany study Engineering.