Grants for students and researchers
IGCS awards scholarships to students and researchers whose projects on sustainability issues benefit from a research exchange to India or Germany. The scholarship consists of a mobility grant and an accommodation grant.
The Grant
Exchange Period: 2024
We are currently not accepting anymore grants application for the period of 2024
Successful applicants receive a one-time travel fund of max. 1.075 Euro. In addition to that IGCS fellows receive a monthly scholarship. The scholarship provides travel and living expenses according to DAAD funding rates, as a rule.
Grant information for German IGCS-fellows
| Academic degree | Duration of Stay | One-time Travel Grant (max.) | Scholarship per month (max.) |
| Graduate students | 1 – 3 months | 1.050 Euro | 1.150 Euro |
| PhD students | 1 – 6 months | 1.050 Euro | 1.600 Euro |
| Postdocs and established researchers | 1 – 3 months | 1.075 Euro | 3.617 Euro |
Grant information for Indian IGCS fellows
| Academic degree | Duration of Stay | One-time Travel Grant (max.) | Scholarship per month (max.) |
| Graduate students | 1 – 3 months | 1.050 Euro | 934 Euro |
| PhD students | 1 – 6 months | 1.050 Euro | 1.200 Euro |
| Postdocs and established researchers | 1 – 3 months | 1.075 Euro | 2.300 Euro |
New Internship Call
IGCS offers an opportunity to apply for an internship scholarship. Are you interested in gaining practical work experience in an organization in Germany or India?
Are you a Master’s student at a German or Indian university and want to carry out an internship for up to three months? Then apply now.
Conditions to apply
IGCS awards scholarships to students and researchers from India and Germany with excellent academic records, very good English and intercultural communication skills. Work abroad experience and knowledge of the region are of advantage.
For the IGCS grant, the candidate is expected to have developed a specific research topic for a visit together with their advisor (Master students, PhD) or colleague (Postdocs and Professors) when they submit the application. The research project should address IGCS’ overarching research topics and relate to one of the focus areas.
For the internship, the candidate is expected to have developed a specific work plan for the visit together with their advisor of the host organization when they submit the application. The internship should address IGCS’ overarching research topics and relate to one of the focus areas.
Specific regulations apply depending on the academic level and the origin of the candidate.
Please note:
- The selection is based on merit.
- IGCS advocates for equal opportunity and diversity.
- Preference is given to students and researchers from TU9 universities and Kiel University and to candidates who plan to stay for the maximum period that we can award for a scholarship.
- We must not fund Indian citizens for a research project in India.
Graduate and PhD students
The IGCS awards scholarships for graduate students and PhD researchers who
- plan to conduct research to the largest part at the Indo-German Centre of Sustainability, at the IIT Madras in Chennai (German applicants).
- are enrolled / affilitated as students at Indian Universities.
- have the supervision by a German supervisor and a supervisor from IIT Madras confirmed (graduate and PhD students). Students from Indian Universities must have their plan of work approved by the IIT Madras Area Coordinator in addition to the confirmation by the supervisor of the home university. In addition, students must deliver a seminar at IITM on the work carried out in Germany, either in person or online, upon completion (if the application is successful).
Note for RWTH staff: Please note that unless selected RWTH university staff is on leave for the exchange period, the IGCS fellows receive the scholarship in form of a refund of travel costs and specific funding regulations apply. This includes student assistants, most PhD students as well as Postdocs and Professors.
Postdocs and Professors
The IGCS awards scholarships for Postdocs and Professors who
- are affiliated to a German higher education or research institution (German applicants)
- are enrolled / affiliated to an Indian University. Researchers must identify a colleague from IIT Madras who they report to.
- received an invitation letter from their host.
- show a proven research track record that will add value to the application.
Note for RWTH staff: Please note that unless selected RWTH university staff is on leave for the exchange period, the IGCS fellows receive the scholarship in form of a refund of travel costs and specific funding regulations apply. This includes student assistants, most PhD students as well as Postdocs and Professors.
Application
Applications can be handed in via an online form (please follow the link). The form is open throughout the year and will be processed on a rolling basis.
For the online application form, prepare the following requests:
- Planned starting and end date of the planned research exchange/interinship period
- IGCS focus area your research project/internship identifies with the closest
- Description of research proejct/work plan, including a timetable
- Professional motivation for a research exchange/interinship with IGCS
- Description of how you can be an ambassador for the IGCS
- Optional: Descriptions of extracurricular qualifications and commitments that support the application
Please also prepare the following documents:
- Curriculum Vitae
- Passport copy
- Graduate and PhD students: Letter of recommendation from Home university; invitation letter issued by host institute, enrolment certificate and current transcript of records (not older than six months)
- Postdocs or Professors: Invitation letter issued by host institute, copy of certificate (summary of your academic career including a list of publications)
- Optional: additional documents which support the application
Please note:
- IGCS normally announces a positive selection result within two weeks. Please refrain from inquiries until then.
- Please plan enough time to prepare for your stay at your host country and host institute after you receive the result. The visa application can be a long and lengthy process. We recommend planning at least eight weeks for students from Germany and 12 weeks for students from India for the visa application process.
- We expect a scholarship and experience report usually within a month after departure from your host institute.
- Note for RWTH staff: Please note that unless selected RWTH university staff is on leave for the exchange period, RWTH staff who receive an IGCS grant receive the scholarship in the form of a refund of travel costs. Specific funding regulations apply. This includes student assistants, most PhD students as well as Postdocs and Professors.
