CEFIPRA supports high quality research groups through collaborative research projects in advanced areas of basic and applied science to nurture scientific competency through Collaborative Scientific Research Programme.

Deadline For the call of 15 June 2023

The identified domains of S&T :

• Pure and Applied Mathematics
• Computational sciences
• Life & health sciences
• Pure and Applied Physics
• Pure and Applied Chemistry
• Earth & Planetary Science
• Materials Science
• Environmental Sciences
• Biotechnology
• Water

2) Eligibility to apply

Principal Collaborators and Joint Collaborators (Indian & French) should have permanent position in an Indian or French University/R&D Institution. They should meet national level eligibility criteria with respect to the operation of grants and age of retirement. ORCID/ResearcherID is mandatory for submission of proposal under the programme.

3) How to apply

a) Submit a Joint Proposal to CEFIPRA specifying the role of the collaborators.

The collaborators must submit a joint concept proposal along with the joint full proposal on web- online submission system of CEFIPRA (URL: www.cefipraonline.in).

Proposals should be original, collaborative and of high scientific quality. The proposed research must complement the strengths and expertise of the research groups.

The number of participants and their research contribution should be appropriate for the aims of the Indo-French research project and must be reasonably balanced in terms of each country’s participation (on effort, contribution and budget). The proposal should mention origin of the project with details of prior interaction, preliminary results relevant to the proposal achieved by either side and added value from the collaboration.

b) At least two scientists, one each from India and France as Principal Collaborators

There cannot be a second Principal Collaborator or Joint Principal Collaborator on either side. The two Principal Collaborators, one each from India and France shall be responsible for implementing the project.

c) Joint Collaborators of the projects

Joint Collaborators, one or more, on both sides are welcome but their contributions to the project may be clearly defined. The Joint Collaborators may be from the same institutions of the respective Principal Collaborators or from other institutions

d) The investigators can be from any academic/research institutions from India and France.

Once project is recommended for support, any change of Principal Collaborator(s) or Joint Collaborator(s) or the institution(s) where the work is carried out should be done with the permission of CEFIPRA.

e) The French PI is kindly invited to get in touch with the concerned officer of his/her institution about the project proposal that he/she is preparing to submit to the CEFIPRA in order to facilitate the final clearance by the French Government.

4) Evaluation procedure

• Initial screening at CEFIPRA
• Pre-selection by the Scientific Council
• Peer-review in France & India
• Decision by the Scientific Council in its meeting based on peer review reports & Council’s own judgment

5) Procedures for the start of project after the recommendation of Scientific Council

• Acceptance by Governing Body of CEFIPRA
• Signed copy of check list from Indian Principal Collaborator for the clearance from Government of India
• Sensitivity & Security Clearances from Indian & French Governments
• Receipt of signed copy of IPR Guidelines of CEFIPRA from the Principal Collaborators of the project.
• Release of funds for first year.

6) Lead time for project approval

• From proposal stage to communication of recommendation by Scientific Council- about 6 months
• From recommendation of Council to Governmental clearance (approx. 2-3 months. Time may vary from project to project)

7) Submission/implementation of projects under CEFIPRA programmes by same collaborators

If collaborators have submitted/implemented a CEFIPRA project, they can apply again if they fulfill the following conditions:

• If a scientist is already working in a project under CSRP sanctioned by CEFIPRA as Principal Collaborator (PC) or Joint Collaborator(JC), he/she can not submit another project under same programme as PC or JC.
• There is no bar in applying for projects under other programmes of CEFIPRA while implementing a project under CSRP and vice-versa.
• If a scientist apply as a Joint Collaborator or Principal Collaborator in two different project proposals at a time, and in case both the proposals are sanctioned, the scientist must opt for either one of the project.
• Collaborators who have implemented one project under CSRP and want to submit the second project, the following guidelines are applicable.

1. A cooling off period of 5 years after completion of the previous project will be applicable
2. If implemented three projects under CEFIPRA programme as Principal Collaborator, he/she cannot apply for a fourth project as PC or JC.

8) Restriction other than the above in applying for an Indo-French project

• Indian and French collaborators are expected to be under service at the time of completion of the project. Scientists close to their superannuation should have a younger joint collaborator in the project proposal.

9) Expectation of CEFIPRA from its collaborative research projects

• Excellence in science through collaboration
• Training of young Doctoral/Post-Doctoral students
• Joint publications in high impact factor journals with due acknowledgement to CEFIPRA
• Potential output for knowledge forward chain
• Long term partnership between the collaborating groups even after completion of the project.

10) The proposals are necessarily required to fulfil the following criteria as per the checklist given below for initial screening & further consideration. Please note proposals which do not fulfil the criteria will be rejected at initial screening level.

1.	The submission date is within the prescribed deadline
2.	Submitted both concept proposal and full proposal
3.	Joint Proposal Submission Agreement signed by both the Principal Collaborators submitted
4.	The proposal submitted is within the identified fields of Science & Technology, coordinated by CEFIPRA
5.	The collaborators are from academic/research institutions in India/ France
6.	The collaborators have permanent position in Indian or French University/R&D Institution
7.	The collaborators have provided their ORCID number/Research ID
8.	Brief CV not exceeding 5 pages
9.	Top 5 publications from each collaborator with summary explaining relevance with the proposal
10.	The total budget is within the limit of 200.000 euros
11.	Budget includes cost of International travels/mobility
12.	Indicated the part of the total project budget that could be met out of sources other than that of CEFIPRA
13.	The collaborators are not PCs or Co-PCs of any ongoing projects under CSRP
14.	The collaborators are not supported during last 5 years
15.	The collaborators are not members of the Scientific Council/ Industrial Research Committee of CEFIPRA
16.	Collaborators close to their superannuation have added younger joint collaborator(s) in the project proposal
17.	Submitted Certificate for participation in the project from the Head of the institution of the Principal Collaborator (To mention in the certificate participation as Principal Collaborator from India)) French Principal Collaborator (To mention in the certificate participation as Principal Collaborator from France) Joint Collaborators, if they are from different institutions of the Principal Collaborators (To mention in the certificate participation as Joint Collaborator(s)))

11) Detailed guidelines for funding of projects :

The budget estimate should be as realistic as possible. The maximum quantum of budget for the project can vary upto a maximum of 200.000 euros (including both sides) for the entire duration of the project. Projects with budget above 200.000 euros will not be considered for review by the Council. Estimate should be justified, and in agreement with the scientific objectives of the project. The year-wise break-up of the budget should be in conformity with the phase-wise break-up of the project activities given in the work plan. The budget will be released to the institutions of the corresponding collaborators. The budget should be consolidated institution-wise.

Under the infrastructural facilities, details of lab space, equipment, supporting man– power, etc., which would be made available to the collaborating scientists should be mentioned. Similarly, as far as possible, existing man–power should be utilised and hiring of additional man- power should be restricted to the minimum. Personnel expenses are restricted to Masters/Post- doctoral/Doctoral positions permitting effective exchange of personnel between India and France. The fellowships will be determined by CEFIPRA as per the recommendations of the Scientific Council. Please note salaries / wages of the regular staff of the institutions where the research is to be carried out will not be paid or reimbursed by CEFIPRA. Co-funded PhDs should be encouraged wherever possible.

a) For Indian side :

• Funding Support provided :

• a) Manpower (JRF/SRF/RA/Master students for Indian Partners)
• b) Recurring Expenses: includes consumables, domestic travel & miscellaneous expenses/contingencies
• c) International Travel
• d) Equipment : Minor equipment and accessories which are essential for the project with a limit of max. of 10% of total approved budget of the project (max. 20.000Euros)

• Appointment of JRF/SRF/RA/Project Assistant in Indian Lab

Salary for Indian side should be mentioned for JRF/SRF/RA/PA for the duration of the project by the Principal Collaborator. One JRF/SRF/RA/ PA can be asked by Joint Collaborator if he/she is not from the same institution of Principal Collaborator. It should be indicated separately. Co-funded PhDs should be encouraged wherever possible.

For Indian side, the fellowship/salary applicable for JRF/SRF/RA/PA has been adopted by CEFIPRA as per DST guidelines.

• Recurring expenses: Consumables, Domestic Travel and miscellaneous expenses/contingency

Cost of Consumables & other miscellaneous expenses are covered. The list of items to be provided in the proposal. Project related domestic travel within India will also be supported.

• International Travel

Visits, for a duration less than one week are not encouraged. Principal Collaborators/ Joint collaborators of the projects are not allowed to avail more than two visits without proper justification and Council’s recommendation.

• Support for equipment

As far as possible the equipment available in the institutions of the Principal/Joint Collaborators must be used for the project. However, any minor equipment and accessories which are essential for the project within the limit of maximum of 10% of total approved budget of the project (Max. 20.000Euro) will be considered for support. No equipment support is provided to French side. Justification with realistic quotes has to be submitted along with the request for equipment.

b) For French side :

• Funding Support provided :

• Manpower : PhD/Post-Doc/Master student positions for French Partners
• Recurring Expenses: includes consumables, domestic travel & miscellaneous expenses
• International Travel

• Appointment of PhD/Post-Doc/Master student in French Lab

• For French Labs, PhD/Post-Doc/Master student can be appointed. Co-funded PhDs should be encouraged wherever possible. Fellowships for a PhD student working in French Lab will be 1500 euros per month and for Post-doc, it will be 2000 euros per month. The total amount including fellowship, social security, travel and other charges provided for Post-doc or doctoral student is Euros 60.000 for French side for the entire duration of the project. For Master students, salary/fellowship will be transferred to the French institution.
• a) If a French PhD student/Post-doc selected to work in the French Lab, CEFIPRA will be transferring the budget for manpower to the French institution.


• b) If the PhD student/Post-Doc selected to work in French Lab is an Indian national, the fellowship will be made by CEFIPRA through CAMPUS FRANCE. CEFIPRA will transfer the approved amount of Manpower to the French institutions who do not accept the service of Campus France, on request from the Principal Collaborator of the concerned project.


• c) In addition to Indian and French nationals, other nationals working in a French research organisation/University and/or registered as French students can also be appointed under CEFIPRA project, if justification for appointment is given by the French PIs/Collaborators of the project. Henceforth, PhD students/Post-Docs of other nationals, the budget for Manpower may be processed through Campus France or transferred to French institution.

• Change in French national healthcare system for students

The French Government has changed the student registration scheme to national healthcare system. This is applicable to all the students, French and International. Health insurance is now free of charge for all students, but registration is no longer automatic. Students will have to take care of their individual registration to health insurance (in French “sécurité sociale”).

There are two categories among CEFIPRA students :

- The PhD students, who will have to subscribe to their registration to the health system and then, an additional insurance (in French “mutuelle étudiante”)

- The Post-Docs, who are not concerned by this change

The fellowship/salary, travel, University fee, carte de séjour and Campus France management fee (for international students) will be accommodated under the Manpower head of French budget and the expenses related to CVEC and registration fee under health scheme will be supported additionally within the total approved budget of the project. (For CVEC and registration fee for health scheme, concerned amount to be accommodated under miscellaneous expenses of the budget).

• Recurring expenses: Consumables, Domestic Travel and miscellaneous expenses/contingency

Cost of Consumables & other miscellaneous expenses are covered. Please provide the list of items. Project related domestic travel within France also will be supported.

• International Travel

Visits, for duration of less than one week are not encouraged. Principal Collaborators/ Joint collaborators of the projects are not allowed to avail more than two visits without proper justification and Council’s recommendation.

As per the prevailing procedures, the proposal including the budget is assessed and recommended by the Scientific Council of CEFIPRA.

12) Assessment & Continuation of a project after mid-term of its duration

The Principal Collaborators of the supported projects will be called for mid-term review at its mid-way to assess the progress of the project. The continuation of the project will be decided by the Council during mid-term review based on the progress made under the project. If half of the budget allocated to visits is not utilized by mid-term of a project, the unutilized budget will be forfeited unless justification is provided by the PIs of the project.

13) Terms for Pre-Closure of Projects

If Principal Collaborators want to pre-close a project OR Council recommends for pre-closure, the guidelines to be followed are:

1) If Scientific Council finds that the project is not likely to lead successful completion and is recommended for pre-closure of the project:

a) The Scientific Council may review the progress of the project as and when required and if it is realised that the project is not leading to successful completion/any scientific & technological advancement, the Scientific Council may recommend pre-closure of the project. In that case, the unutilised funds available with the Principal Collaborators, as on date of receipt of communication regarding this from CEFIPRA, to be returned to CEFIPRA along with the interest earned from the released funds.

b) Due to the exigency of one or more of the force Majeure events, CEFIPRA may pre-close the project in consultation with all the concerned collaborators and Scientific Council.

2) If Pre-closure of the project by Principal Collaborators due to their own specified reasons

All the Principal Collaborators are required to give justifications/reasons for pre-closure of the project in specified time manner. The Principal Collaborators are required to refund the amount released to them with interest, to CEFIPRA.

Guidelines for implementation of projects under Collaborative Research Programme