DST India-Netherlands Hydrogen Fellowship: Doctoral, Postdoc, Faculty

The Department of Science & Technology (DST), Ministry of Science & Technology, Government of India, has announced the “India–Netherlands Hydrogen Fellowship Programme.” This prestigious fellowship aims to build human and technical capacity in hydrogen technologies through a collaborative research exchange with institutions in the Netherlands. The program is designed for Doctoral, Postdoctoral, and Academic Faculty members, offering an unparalleled opportunity to contribute to India’s clean energy goals and strengthen international research linkages in the rapidly evolving hydrogen ecosystem.

Quick Overview

Vacancy Details (Fellowship Categories)

Eligibility Criteria

General Eligibility

• Nationality: Applicants must be Indian nationals.
• Field of Work: Must be working in engineering science, basic science, social sciences and humanities, economics and finance, public policy, or safety engineering.
• Experience: Experience in hydrogen energy technology will be advantageous.
• Educational Qualification: Applicant must hold a Master’s degree / PhD / Postdoctoral (in science, technology) from a recognized University/Institute.
• Prior Acceptance: Must obtain a conditional admission or acceptance letter from the proposed host institution in the Netherlands before submitting the application against the Call for Proposals (CfP).
• No-Objection Certificate (NOC): The Indian parent institution must provide an NOC.
• Prior Fellowship Restriction: Individuals who have already availed this fellowship under any category are not eligible to apply again unless explicitly permitted by DST.

Specific Eligibility for Doctoral Fellows

• Must be registered as Ph.D. scholars in a recognized Indian university or research institution (parent institute) at the time of application.
• Must provide a recommendation letter from their Ph.D. supervisor.
• Expected Ph.D. thesis submission date should be at least 8 months after the fellowship end date.
• Applicants currently holding any fellowship or grant providing similar international research support are not eligible.
• Shall continue to receive their existing fellowship/stipend in India. DST fellowship is for subsistence and research support in the Netherlands only.
• Shall not undertake any paid employment, teaching, consultancy, or receive salary/honorarium from the host institution abroad.

Specific Eligibility for Postdoctoral Fellows

• Must have a Ph.D. degree within the past four years from a recognized Indian university or research institution.
• Must be registered as a Postdoctoral fellow in a recognized Indian university or research institution at the time of application.
• Must submit a Statement of Purpose (SoP) detailing completed/ongoing research, importance, impact, and justification for the fellowship.
• Must have a publication in a reputed journal.
• Applicants currently holding any fellowship or grant providing similar international research support are not eligible.
• Shall continue to receive their existing fellowship/stipend in India. DST fellowship is for subsistence and research support in the Netherlands only.
• Shall not undertake any paid employment, teaching, consultancy, or receive salary/honorarium from the host institution abroad.

Specific Eligibility for Academic Faculty Fellows

• Must be a full-time, regular faculty member (Assistant Professor or Associate Professor level) at a recognized Indian university or R&D institution.
• Must be actively engaged in teaching and/or research related to hydrogen technologies, energy systems, or allied interdisciplinary fields.
• Shall continue to draw their regular salary from their parent institution in India.
• The overseas fellowship is solely for subsistence and research support during the stay abroad.
• Shall not receive any salary, honorarium, consultancy fee, or contractual payment from the host institution in the Netherlands.

Application Fee

Application fee details are not specified in the official notification. Please refer to the upcoming Call for Proposals (CfP) for this information.

Important Dates

Selection Process

1. Conditional Acceptance Letter: Applicants must first obtain a conditional admission or acceptance letter from a host institution in the Netherlands, confirming their willingness to host the fellow for the stated duration and research theme. This is a prerequisite for application.
2. Application Submission (CfP): Applications will be invited through a Call for Proposals (CfP) issued by DST. The Scheme Implementing Agency (SIA) will manage the CfP process, including receipt, compilation, and preliminary scrutiny.
3. Tier I – Preliminary Evaluation (Offline):
   • The National Expert Advisory Committee (NEAC) will conduct an offline evaluation based on:
     • Adherence to CfP submission guidelines.
     • Quality and clarity of the research proposal and proposed approach.
     • Relevance of the topic to India’s hydrogen ecosystem.
     • Strength and preparedness of the applicant, parent institution, and proposed host institution.
     • Potential for skill development, indigenization, and technology adaptation.
     • Completeness and authenticity of submitted documents.
4. Tier II – Presentation and Interaction:
   • Shortlisted applicants from Tier I will be invited to defend their proposed research topic and solution approach before the NEAC.
   • This stage may include a technical interaction round to assess:
     • Depth of subject knowledge and research methodology.
     • Practical feasibility and innovation potential of the proposed work.
     • Contribution to indigenization (Atmanirbhar Bharat potential) and applicability within India’s Hydrogen framework.
5. Final Decision: The NEAC will recommend selected applicants to DST. The final decision rests solely with DST, subject to its discretion and fund availability.

How to Apply

The detailed application process will be outlined in the upcoming Call for Proposals (CfP). However, based on the scheme guidelines, candidates must follow these crucial initial steps:

1. Identify Host Institution: Research and identify a suitable university or research institution in the Netherlands working on relevant hydrogen technologies and research themes (as outlined in the scheme guidelines).
2. Secure Conditional Acceptance: Engage with the identified host institution and obtain a conditional admission or acceptance letter. This letter is mandatory and must confirm their willingness to host you for the specified duration and research theme before you submit your application to DST.
3. Obtain NOC: Secure a No-Objection Certificate (NOC) from your Indian parent institution, stating permission to undertake the fellowship while retaining your registration/employment status in India.
4. Prepare Documents: Gather all necessary documents, including your research proposal, academic credentials, recommendation letters (for Doctoral), Statement of Purpose (for Postdoctoral), and proof of nationality.
5. Monitor CfP Release: Regularly check the official website of DST (dst.gov.in) for the release of the official Call for Proposals (CfP), which will contain the direct application link and detailed submission instructions.
6. Submit Application: Once the CfP is released, submit your application online through the designated portal, ensuring all required documents and information are provided accurately.
7. Await Evaluation: Participate in the preliminary evaluation and, if shortlisted, the presentation and interaction rounds.

Important Links

Job Profile & Career Scope

The India–Netherlands Hydrogen Fellowship offers a unique opportunity for researchers and academics to immerse themselves in cutting-edge hydrogen technology development. Fellows will work on specific research themes, contributing to the advancement of low-carbon hydrogen production, storage, transport, utilization, digital twinning, and socio-economic impact studies. This involves hands-on training, experimental work, data analysis, and collaborative research with leading experts in the Netherlands.

Career Scope: Successful completion of this fellowship significantly enhances a fellow’s profile, making them highly sought-after in both academic and industrial sectors. Graduates of such programs often find themselves in:

• Senior Researcher/Scientist positions in national and international R&D labs.
• Faculty positions in universities, leading research groups in hydrogen and clean energy.
• Consultancy roles for government bodies and private companies on hydrogen policy and technology deployment.
• Leadership roles in start-ups and established companies focusing on green hydrogen production, infrastructure, and applications.
• Policy advisory roles, contributing to national and international energy strategies.

This fellowship is a stepping stone to becoming a key contributor to India’s ambitious clean hydrogen mission, fostering innovation and leadership in a critical global energy transition.

Preparation Tips

Securing an international fellowship like the India–Netherlands Hydrogen Fellowship requires meticulous preparation. Here are some key tips:

1. Strong Research Proposal

• Relevance: Ensure your proposed research aligns perfectly with the identified themes (Low-Carbon Hydrogen Production, Storage, Digital Twinning, Utilization, etc.) and India’s hydrogen ecosystem needs.
• Clarity & Innovation: Articulate your research questions, methodology, and expected outcomes clearly. Highlight the innovative aspects and potential impact of your work.
• Feasibility: Demonstrate the practical feasibility of your research within the fellowship duration and resources available in the Netherlands.

2. Securing Host Institution Acceptance

• Early Outreach: Start identifying and contacting potential supervisors/professors in Dutch universities well in advance.
• Tailored Communication: Personalize your emails and research interests to match the faculty’s work. Highlight how your background and proposed research fit their lab.
• Strong CV & Portfolio: Present a compelling CV, academic transcripts, and a portfolio of your publications/research work.

3. Document Preparation

• NOC & Recommendation: Ensure your Indian parent institution and Ph.D. supervisor (for Doctoral) are aware of your application and can provide the necessary No-Objection Certificate and strong recommendation letters promptly.
• Statement of Purpose (SoP): For Postdoctoral applicants, craft a powerful SoP that clearly justifies your need for the fellowship, outlines your past and ongoing research, and explains its expected impact.

4. Interview Preparation (Tier II)

• Subject Mastery: Be thoroughly prepared to discuss your proposed research, its methodology, theoretical background, and practical implications.
• Innovation & Indigenization: Emphasize how your work contributes to innovation and the “Atmanirbhar Bharat” (self-reliant India) potential in the hydrogen sector.
• Communication Skills: Practice presenting your research concisely and clearly. Be ready to answer challenging questions from domain experts.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: What is the primary objective of the India–Netherlands Hydrogen Fellowship Programme?

A: The program aims to build human and technical capacity in hydrogen technologies through a collaborative research exchange, enabling Indian researchers and faculty to gain real-world technical exposure and co-develop next-generation solutions in the Netherlands.

Q2: Who is eligible to apply for this fellowship?

A: Indian nationals who are Doctoral Fellows, Postdoctoral Fellows (within 4 years of PhD), or Academic Faculty (Assistant/Associate Professor level) working in relevant scientific or socio-economic fields related to hydrogen energy are eligible. Specific educational and institutional criteria apply to each category.

Q3: Is it mandatory to secure a host institution in the Netherlands before applying?

A: Yes, it is a critical prerequisite. Applicants must obtain a conditional admission or acceptance letter from a host institution in the Netherlands confirming their willingness to host the fellow for the stated duration and research theme before submitting their application to DST.

Q4: What kind of financial support is provided under this fellowship?

A: DST provides a monthly fellowship (80% of total) for subsistence and research support in the Netherlands. For Doctoral and Postdoctoral Fellows, a lump-sum grant for visa, round-trip travel, and relocation expenses is also provided. Faculty Fellows continue to draw their regular salary from their Indian institution, with DST providing at least 50% of the fellowship amount.

Q5: Can I apply if I am already receiving another fellowship or grant?

A: Doctoral and Postdoctoral Fellows currently holding any fellowship or grant providing similar international research or support are generally not eligible to apply. However, they can continue to receive their existing Indian fellowship/stipend while availing the DST fellowship for overseas stay.

Q6: What are the key research themes covered by the fellowship?

A: The indicative research themes include Low-Carbon and Clean Hydrogen Production, Hydrogen Compression, Storage, Transport, and Distribution, Digital Twinning and Simulation, Hydrogen Utilization Pathways, Techno-Economic and Life-Cycle Studies, Policy and Regulatory Studies, Institutional Capacity-Building, Hydrogen Safety, and Socio-economic Impact of the Hydrogen Economy.

Q7: What is the duration of the fellowship?

A: The fellowship duration for Doctoral and Postdoctoral Fellows is 12 months. For Academic Faculty, it is up to 12 months.

Q8: Where can I find the official Call for Proposals (CfP) and application link?

A: The official Call for Proposals (CfP) with detailed application instructions and links will be released on the Department of Science & Technology (DST) official website (dst.gov.in). Candidates are advised to regularly check the website for updates.