The primary objective of supporting collaborative research projects between Indian and French scientists is to complement the expertise and strength of high quality research groups in advanced areas of science and technology thereby promoting excellence in science.

 For collaborative research projects the following are necessary

• At least two scientists, one each from India and France as Principal Collaborators
• Joint Collaborators (2-3) on both sides are welcome, but their contributions to the project may be clearly defined
• Research project must be on a current topic and can be chosen in any field of science and engineering, including medicine
• The research topic chosen must complement the strengths and expertise of the research groups.
• The collaborators must submit the project as per the prescribed format (available under down-load forms)

FAQs

1. What can be asked in the proposals?
   • Support for equipment and small add on’s to existing equipments(no equipment support is provided to the French side)
   • Recurring expenses for consumables
   • Travel to collaborators' laboratory for project work
   • Student/Post-doc to work in the laboratory of the Principal Collaborators in India/France
     
     
2. What is the Evaluation Procedure?
   • Peer-review in France & India
   • Decision by the Scientific Council in its meeting (held twice a year), based on peer review reports & Council’s own judgment
      
3. Do the projects require Clearances?
   Following clearances are required before a project starts
   • Acceptance by Governing Body
   • Sensitivity & Security Clearances by the two Governments
   • Commencement of Project after release of funds for the first year to the two sides 
     
     
4. What is the lead time?
   • proposal stage to communication of acceptance by Scientific Council- about 6 months
   • Acceptance to clearance (time may vary)

5. We have submitted/implemented an IFCPAR project. Can we apply for another one?
   • If a scientist is already working on a collaborative project sanctioned by IFCPAR as Principal Collaborator (PC) or Joint Collaborator(JC), he/she can not submit another project under IFCPAR as PC or JC in the same category.
   • However, a scientist can apply as a Joint Collaborator or Principal Collaborator for a project.  In case both projects gets funded, the scientist must opt for either PC or JC.
   • For a group of collaborators who have implemented one project under IFCPAR programme and want to submit the second project, the following guideline is applicable.

a)    If the first project is graded excellent or very good, they can submit the second project immediately after the final presentation of the first. In other cases a three-year-wait period is needed. 

b)   Any Scientist who has implemented three projects under IFCPAR programme as Principal Collaborator cannot apply for a fourth project.  

6. Is there any other restriction for applying for an Indo-French project? 
   Indian and French collaborators are expected to be under service at the time of completion of the project.
   
   
7. What is the expectation of IFCPAR in granting a project? 
   IFCPAR expects as an outcome of the collaborative project, the following:
   • Excellence in science through collaboration
   • Training of young doctoral/postdoctoral students
   • Joint publications in high impact factor journals with due acknowledgement to IFCPAR
   • Long term partnership between the collaborating groups even after support from IFCPAR is over.