CFPs: Bilateral Scientific and Technological Cooperation between India and Tunisia

Areas of Research

• The joint research project should be on any of the following areas:
  • climate change and eco-innovation
  • e-health
  • geospatial technology

Funding Information

• For the Tunisian research entities: Each project will be funded up to TND 50,000 per year for a duration of maximum three years (maximum total budget of TND150,000).
• For the Indian research entities: Each project will be funded up to for a duration of maximum three years (maximum total budget of 45 lakhs).

Eligibility Criteria

• The proposals should involve one or more research entities from both sides. The joint application must include one Tunisian and one Indian Principal Investigator (PI), who will be responsible for both the technical and administrative coordination of the project, including periodic scientific and financial reporting to the respective authorities (MHESR in Tunisia and DST in India).
• The involvement of industrial or socio-economic sector partners is preferred to promote collaborative research and optimize the valorization of scientific outcomes. These partners may participate at their own expenses.
• In Tunisia:
  • The PI must hold the rank of Full Professor or Associate Professor (Maître de Conférences).
  • The PI must be affiliated with a public research laboratory that is part of the partner institution involved in the project.
  • The critical mass of the research team involved must be composed of a minimum of five statutory researchers (corps A and B), including at least two members with the rank of professor, associate professor, or equivalent rank.
• In India:
  • Indian Project Lead and Co-Is should be scientists/faculty members working in regular capacity in universities, academic institutes and national research and development laboratories/institutes.
  • The Indian Project Lead should not be retiring or leaving the parent institute during the proposed duration of the project. The Indian scientist involved in any way in the implementation of two or more projects supported by DST (International Group) that are not expected to be completed by March 31, 2025 are not eligible to be a member of Research team/Project Lead.

Evaluation Criteria

• Consistency with priority research areas: The project must align with the themes defined in the call for proposals (climate change and eco-innovation; e-health; geospatial technology and address major scientific and societal challenges.
• Innovation and originality: The project should introduce a novel approach, either through new methodologies or by applying existing knowledge to an unprecedented context.
• Added value of bilateral collaboration: The complementarity of the institutions and researchers involved must be demonstrated, with a clear distribution of responsibilities and scientific contributions from each partner.
• Scientific and technological impact: The project should demonstrate its potential to advance the state of the art in its field and produce exploitable results.

Application Requirements

• The proposal must be written in English and jointly prepared by Tunisian and Indian applicants.
• The application must include the following documents:
  • Duly completed application forms.
  • Curriculum vitae of each research team member.
  • A letter of intent exchanged between the project’s Principal Investigators (PIs).
  • A signed submission request, approved and reviewed by:
    • The Director of the research structure,
    • The Head of the institution, and
    • The supervisory authority (e.g., University President, Director General, etc.).
  • Details of the participating industrial or socio-economic sector partners, including their field of business and the expected project outcomes, particularly in terms of productivity and competitiveness.

For more information, visit Ministry of Science and Technology.