Search
X

Programmes

Paired Early Career Fellowship in Applied Research (PECFAR) – Call 2026

Indo-German Science & Technology Centre (IGSTC),a bilaterial organization of the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India and the Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space (BMFTR), Government of Germany invites applications for Paired Early Career Fellowship in Applied Research (PECFAR) from early-career researchers from India and Germany to explore, connect and network for research collaboration in applied research.

Overview of the Fellowship

  • This fellowship facilitates a pair of Early Career Researchers to have short term visits to India/Germany for networking and exploring avenues for collaboration and innovation in Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics (STEM).
  • The pair* will be formed by Early Career Researchers from India and Germany who shall submit a joint proposal for the PECFAR fellowship support.
  • The duration of the fellowship will be minimum 1 month/30 days and maximum up to 2 months/60 Days.
  • Grant shall be provided to cover the travel and fellowship of selected pairs.
  • The paired fellows shall jointly plan the fellowship visits to the partner country (India/Germany).
  • The fellows are encouraged to connect and travel to other institutions in India/Germany to enhance networking.

*Applicants are solely responsible for identifying & forming their respective pairs. For more information, please visit Basic guidelines.

Who Can Apply?

Early Career Researchers holding regular positions in academia/research institution/industry or long-term nationally recognized fellowships (4 years and above) with a valid employment contract/residual fellowship of minimum 18 months commencing from the application deadline.

Minimum Qualification: Masters in Science/Bachelors in Engineering (4 years).

For German side, preference will be given to applicants with more than 4 years of experience at institutions/organizations/industry in Germany.

Age Limit

40 years as on the Application Submission Deadline.

Financial Support

The Financial support shall be provided as grant and shall be limited to:

  • Fellowship: € 2300 per month The amount will be determined on pro rata basis assuming 1 month to be equivalent to 30 days.
  • Travel: € 1500 for both Indian and German awardees which includes the following:

    • Single round trip economy class international airfare.
    • Visa fees
    • Medical/health/travel insurance policy
    • Airport transfer international & domestic
    • Cost of travel to perform networking visits to organisations in host country during the visit.

Extension of the maximum duration of the fellowship shall not be entertained.

How to apply?

Application must be submitted online via the “Application Portal” jointly by the both members of the collaborating pair. Submissions by other means shall not be accepted

Go to the applicant portal, register yourself and choose your programme

PECFAR Application Portal User Manual.

Application Submission 01st February 2026 to 31st March 2026

The Application Submission deadline has been extended till 02nd April 2026, 12:00 Noon CET / 4:30 PM IST.

For more information, please visit Basic Guidelines and FAQs.

Contact

For queries
Phone: + 91- 011 -2654 3500
E-mail: pecfar@igstc.org