CEFIPRA IARDP PhD/Post-doc Fellowship 2026: Apply by Feb 28

The Indo-French Centre for Promotion of Advanced Research (CEFIPRA) has announced the Industry-Academia Research & Development Programme (IARDP) for 2026, inviting joint proposals for PhD and Post-doctoral fellowships. This prestigious program fosters collaborative research between Indian and French industrial and academic institutions, offering significant funding and opportunities for researchers. The deadline for proposal submission is February 28, 2026. Aspiring researchers and institutions are encouraged to review the detailed guidelines for this unique Indo-French scientific cooperation initiative.

Admission Overview

Courses & Fellowships Offered

The IARDP program supports collaborative research projects leading to PhD and Post-doctoral fellowships in France for Indian candidates. The program focuses on solution-driven proposals with deliverables up to Technology Readiness Level (TRL 4-5).

Thrust Areas:

• Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning: Supercomputing, Cloud Computing, Artificial Intelligence, Digital Health
• Renewable & Clean Energy: Hydrogen, Renewable Energy Technologies Solar & Wind Power, Decarbonization
• Smart Mobility: Energy Efficient Transport and Logistics
• Agricultural Science and Technology: Food Safety Climate Change, Agro-Ecological Farming
• Sustainable Nutrition
• Health Care: Cancer Studies, Neurosciences, Biotechnology, Biomedical Engineering, Public Health, Medical Waste Treatment Technology, One Health
• Technology for the SDGs: Sustainable Buildings, Plastic Pollution, Marine Science and Ecological Science
• Waste Management & Circular Economy

Eligibility Criteria

The program involves two main types of collaborators: Academic and Industrial. Eligibility criteria apply to both the collaborating entities and the individual PhD/Post-doc applicants.

For Project Proposals (Collaborating Entities):

• Project proposals should preferably involve at least one industrial partner and one research institute each from India & France (2+2 Model).
• Proposals not fulfilling the 2+2 model are also eligible (at least one industrial partner either in France or in India and a research institute from the other country), with clear justification.
• Projects must be innovative and industry-driven towards the development or substantial improvement of new products, processes, etc.
• Proof of concept (already accomplished) and a roadmap for commercialization of outcomes are required.

Eligibility for Academic Collaborator:

• Principal Collaborators and Joint Collaborators must hold a permanent position as scientists/faculty members in universities/deemed universities, academic institutes, and national research and development laboratories/institutes.

Eligibility for Industry Collaborator:

• Industry partners (except MSMEs) must commit to invest at least 10% of the project proposal cost in cash. MSMEs seeking exemption must provide a government registration certificate.
• Indian Company: Registered under the Indian Companies Act 1956, with more than 51% ownership by Indian Citizens.
• French Company: Registered with the Register of Commerce and Companies, France.

For PhD & Post-doctoral Applicants (for French Lab placements):

Application Process

The application process for the CEFIPRA IARDP involves two main stages: initial project proposal submission by collaborating institutions, followed by the selection of PhD/Post-doc candidates for French institutions.

Stage 1: Joint Project Proposal Submission (by Collaborators)

1. Visit the online submission system of CEFIPRA: www.cefipraonline.in.
2. If not registered, click on ‘New User Registration’ to register your institution. Registered users can log in with existing credentials.
3. Upon successful login, navigate to the ‘Industry-Academia Research & Development Programme’ link.
4. Click on the link to access the proposal submission portal.
5. Prepare and upload a joint (common) Concept Proposal, Project Description, and Check List. The proposal must have a common short name/acronym.
6. Ensure proposals are well-crafted, providing a substantive description of the research plan, scientific/technical approaches, and expected deliverables (proof of concept & prototype building up to TRL 4-5).
7. Upload only mandatory attachments such as the Checklist, Project Description, and Concept Proposal.
8. French Principal Investigators (PIs) are advised to contact their institution’s concerned officer for project proposal clearance by the French Government.

Stage 2: PhD/Post-doc Application for French Institutions (after project approval)

Once a project is approved and a job offer for a PhD or Post-doc position in a French lab is advertised:

1. The French Principal Collaborator will submit the job offers to the Embassy of France in India.
2. The Embassy of France in India will advertise the job offer. Candidates should also look for repostings on CEFIPRA and Campus France websites.
3. Prepare the required documents (see ‘Documents Required’ section below).
4. Combine all documents into a single PDF file, not exceeding 10 pages.
5. Submit the application to the email address specified in the job offer (e.g., msi@ifindia.in), clearly mentioning the Job Offer reference number.

Important Dates

Fellowship & Funding Structure

The program provides substantial funding and fellowships for selected PhD and Post-doctoral candidates in French institutions. The total project funding for all partners will be a maximum of Euro 220,000 (equivalent amount in Indian INR) for the entire 3-year duration.

Fellowship Details for French Lab (Applicable January 2026):

Note: University fees, Carte de Séjour fees, Campus France management fees, and registration to the French social security scheme are also covered by CEFIPRA. Scholarship holders are exempt from visa fees but must pay VFS service fees.

Budget Allocation for Indian Institute Collaborator:

• Manpower Head (as per CEFIPRA norms for PhD/RA)
• Consumables & Contingency
• Equipment (Minor equipment only, maximum 10% of total approved budget, up to Rs. 15,00,000/-)
• Travel (as per CEFIPRA norms)
• Overheads (as per CEFIPRA norms)

Selection Process

The selection process for the IARDP projects and subsequent PhD/Post-doc candidates is rigorous and multi-staged:

For Project Proposals:

1. Initial Screening: Conducted by CEFIPRA.
2. Pre-selection: By Industrial Research Committee Members.
3. Peer-review: In France & India.
4. Final Decision: By members of the Joint Indo-French Scientific & Industrial Research Committee based on peer review reports and their own judgment.

For PhD/Post-doctoral Candidates in French Institutions:

1. Job Offer Advertisement: Embassy of France in India advertises job offers submitted by French PIs.
2. Application Submission: Candidates submit required documents (as a single PDF).
3. Interview: Candidates may be interviewed by the French PI for a recommendation letter.
4. Committee Selection: A dedicated selection committee (2 members from Embassy of France in India and 2 external scientists) makes the decision.
5. Mandatory Recommendation: No consideration will be given to candidates without a recommendation letter from the French Principal Investigator.
6. Formal Approval: Selected and waitlisted candidates’ files are submitted to French authorities for formal approval.

Documents Required on Exam Day

For PhD/Post-doc applications, the following documents must be submitted as a single PDF (max 10 pages):

• Cover letter (max 2 pages), detailing reasons for candidature and professional project.
• Copy of Master’s degree or proof of program (with expected end date) OR PhD degree or proof of program (with expected defense date) (max 1 page).
• Copy of results for previous scholarship (max 3 pages).
• International curriculum vitae (max 2 pages).
• Two letters of recommendation: one from any Indian institution and one mandatory from the French Principal Collaborator (max 2 pages).
• Copy of Passport.

For visa processing, selected Indian candidates must complete the “Etudes en France (EeF)” (Campus France) application procedure. Required documents for visa include: original Convention de séjour de Recherche / Convention d’accueil, CV, passport-size photograph, copy of first & last pages of passport, Master’s or PhD certificate, and attestation of selection from the Embassy of France in India.

Career Prospects

The CEFIPRA IARDP offers exceptional career prospects for researchers. Participating in an Indo-French collaborative project provides invaluable international exposure, interdisciplinary skills, and a strong foundation for future careers in both academia and industry. Researchers will gain experience in cutting-edge fields like AI, Renewable Energy, and Healthcare, working on industry-driven projects with tangible deliverables. This program enhances employability in global research institutions, multinational corporations, and contributes to national scientific development in both India and France.

Preparation Tips

For institutions and researchers planning to apply for the CEFIPRA IARDP, meticulous preparation is key:

For Joint Proposal Submission:

• Clear Objectives: Define clear, innovative, and industry-driven research objectives with societal benefits.
• Strong Collaboration: Clearly outline the roles, responsibilities, and contributions of each Indian and French partner (industrial and academic).
• Proof of Concept: Provide compelling evidence of the proof of concept already achieved and a realistic roadmap for commercialization.
• Budget Justification: Ensure the budget is realistic and well-justified, adhering to CEFIPRA norms.

For PhD/Post-doc Applications:

• Tailored Cover Letter: Customize your cover letter to highlight your motivation for the specific research project and your long-term career goals.
• Strong CV: Ensure your CV is up-to-date, concise, and emphasizes your academic achievements, research experience, and relevant skills.
• Recommendation Letters: Secure strong recommendation letters, especially the mandatory one from the French Principal Collaborator, which should speak to your research potential and suitability for the project.
• Document Preparation: Compile all documents carefully into a single PDF, adhering to the page limits.
• Visa Process: If selected, start your Campus France and visa application process well in advance due to the high volume of applications.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: What is the main objective of the CEFIPRA IARDP?

The main objective is to promote Indo-French linkages between industry and academia for collaborative research and development, focusing on innovative, industry-driven solutions with societal benefits and leading to new products or processes.

Q2: Can individual researchers apply for this program?

No, the initial application is a joint proposal submitted by collaborating institutions (at least one industrial partner and one research institute from India and France). Individual PhD/Post-doc candidates apply later for specific positions advertised under approved projects.

Q3: Is there an application fee for the joint proposal or the PhD/Post-doc fellowship?

The official notification does not mention any application fee for submitting the joint proposal or for the PhD/Post-doc fellowship application. However, scholarship holders are exempted from visa fees but may need to pay VFS service fees.

Q4: What is the minimum Technology Readiness Level (TRL) expected for the proposed ideas?

The proposed ideas should have deliverables like demonstration of proof of concept and prototype building up to Technology Readiness Level (TRL 4-5).

Q5: What are the nationality requirements for PhD/Post-doc applicants?

Candidates of all nationalities except French are eligible. Indian candidates are preferred. Individuals with double nationality, where one is French, are not eligible.

Q6: How long is the duration of the PhD and Post-doctoral fellowships?

The PhD fellowship in France is typically for a maximum of 36 months, while the Post-doctoral fellowship is for a maximum of 12 months, as per the manpower guidelines.

Q7: What kind of support is provided to the selected PhD/Post-doc candidates?

Selected candidates receive a net monthly fellowship, health insurance, international travel, university fees, Carte de Séjour fees, and Campus France management fees. These are directly managed and paid by CEFIPRA through Campus France.

Q8: What if my institution does not fit the 2+2 model for collaboration?

Project proposals not fulfilling the 2+2 model (one industrial partner and one research institute each from India & France) are still eligible, provided the proposal documents clearly justify the situation for not meeting this model.

Q9: Where can I find the job offers for PhD/Post-doc positions?

Job offers for PhD/Post-doc positions in French institutions will be advertised by the Embassy of France in India. They may also be reposted on the CEFIPRA and Campus France websites.

Q10: What is the role of the French Principal Investigator in the PhD/Post-doc selection?

The French Principal Investigator (PI) plays a critical role. Candidates are requested to contact the French PI before submission, and a recommendation letter from the French PI is mandatory for consideration in the selection process.