DST IJCSP 2026: The Department of Science and Technology (DST), under the Ministry of Science and Technology, has invited applications for the India-Japan Cooperative Science Programme (IJCSP) 2026. The programme is being conducted jointly with the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS) to strengthen scientific cooperation between researchers in India and Japan. The last date for submission of proposals is September 3, 2026.Eligible Indian researchers and scientists may apply for Joint Research Projects or Joint Workshops and Seminars under the programme. Applications are open across six scientific disciplines: Physical Sciences, Chemical Sciences, Life Science and Agriculture, Mathematics and Computational Science, Astronomy and Earth Science, and Materials and Engineering.Eligibility criteria for applicantsEach proposal must be jointly submitted by one Indian and one Japanese Principal Investigator (PI), who will be responsible for scientific, technical and administrative coordination. Indian applicants must be working in a regular capacity at universities, deemed universities, academic institutions, national research and development laboratories, or private non-profit organisations engaged in research and development activities.The Indian PI should remain associated with the parent institution throughout the proposed project period. Japanese PIs must be full-time researchers at universities or research institutions recognised by JSPS. Researchers associated with two or more ongoing DST-supported international projects that are not expected to conclude by March 31, 2027, are not eligible to participate.Project duration and financial supportProjects approved under the programme may run for up to two years, with visits required to be completed within one year and ten months. DST stated that the sending side will bear international travel costs, while the receiving side will provide local hospitality, accommodation and domestic travel support.For Indian researchers, support covers international airfare, visa fees, airport taxes, overseas medical insurance and related travel expenses. Japanese researchers visiting India will receive accommodation, per diem and domestic travel support according to DST norms. A contingency grant of Rs 25,000 per year will also be available. No funding will be provided for equipment, manpower or consumables.Submission and evaluation processApplications must be submitted through the DST e-application system in the prescribed format by 5 pm on September 3, 2026. Identical proposals must also be submitted simultaneously by the Japanese counterpart to JSPS.Proposals will be assessed on scientific relevance, methodology, applicant qualifications, value of staff exchanges, contribution to bilateral cooperation, societal impact and dissemination of results. Evaluation will be conducted independently by DST and JSPS. Coordinators are expected to receive the outcome in April or May 2027, while approved projects are likely to begin in June 2027.
