DBT, ICMR & SNSF Joint Research Projects: Call for Proposals 2026

Indian nationals holding a regular position in any DSIR-SIRO recognised Indian academic/scientific institution (Govt/Private). Private R&D/NGOs must have ≥3 years research experience and be registered on NITI Aayog Darpan and PFMS. PI limited to one proposal; may be Co-PI on up to two more. Must partner with at least one Swiss-based applicant.

The Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), and Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF) jointly invite proposals for Joint Research Projects (JRPs) under the Indo-Swiss Joint Research Programme (ISJRP) 2026. The programme supports cutting-edge bilateral research bringing together faculty and young researchers from Switzerland and India, based on the principles of reciprocity, parity, and balanced activities.

Research Field — One Health Framework:

The call supports interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary research within the broad framework of One Health, understood as a holistic, collaborative, multisectoral strategy linking human, animal, vegetal, and environmental health. Eligible topics include:

• Disease pathogen research
• Zoonotic diseases and spillover dynamics
• Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) diagnostics
• Medical devices addressing One Health challenges
• Technology-enabled surveillance
• Development of alternatives to antibiotics and novel therapeutics
• Vector-borne diseases
• Host-pathogen interaction studies
• Environmental and ecosystem health assessments
• Climate change impacts on health

Proposals must demonstrate a clear One Health perspective with meaningful integration of at least two of the three domains (human, animal, ecosystem) and active collaboration across relevant sectors (public health, veterinary medicine, environmental sciences, agriculture).

Project Duration: 3 to 4 years (proposals < 3 years are ineligible).

Funding (Indian side):

• Maximum budget: ₹2.50 Crore (25 million INR) funded by DBT or ICMR depending on the field of research.
• Eligible costs: equipment (≤30% of total budget), manpower, consumables, contingencies, travel (local and international), overhead, outsourcing, meetings, workshops.
• Up to 10 projects will be funded across both countries.

Funding (Swiss side):

• Maximum: CHF 400,000 for four years, funded by SNSF.

Visiting costs: International travel charged to the visiting side's budget; local hospitality to the hosting side. Maximum one research visit per year per person, up to two weeks.

Eligibility (Indian side):

• Any Indian national holding a regular position in a Govt./Private Indian academic or scientific research institution recognised by DSIR as SIRO.
• Private R&D institutions and NGOs/VOs/Trusts must have ≥3 years of experience in scientific research and be registered with NITI Aayog Darpan Portal and PFMS.
• At least one Co-investigator from each participating institute; PI or Co-PI must have remaining service co-terminus with project duration.
• Indian PI limited to one proposal as PI; may serve as Co-PI on up to two additional proposals.
• Regulatory and ethical clearances as per Government of India norms.

Eligibility (Swiss side): Must meet SNSF Funding Regulations requirements.

Submission: Jointly prepared by Swiss and Indian applicants. Submitted exclusively via the SNSF Portal (mySNF). All participating researchers (including Indian team) need SNSF Portal accounts. Research plan must not exceed 17 pages / 68,000 characters, in English, structured per Annex 1 guidelines. All documents in English.

Evaluation: Joint peer review by SNSF, DBT, and ICMR. International peer review (1 reviewer nominated by SNSF, 1 by DBT/ICMR per proposal), followed by a joint evaluation panel ranking. Criteria: scientific relevance/originality/topicality, suitability of methods/feasibility, applicants' track record, collaborative research value.

Timeline:

• Opening: 02 February 2026
• Closing: 05 May 2026, 17:00 CEST
• Results communicated: Spring 2027
• Earliest project start: 01 May 2027

IP: Belongs to respective researchers and/or employing institutions.

Contact (India — DBT): Dr. Shahaj Uddin Ahmed, Scientist 'F', Global Innovations Directorate, DBT, CGO Complex, Lodhi Road, New Delhi-110003. Email: [email protected]

Contact (India — ICMR): Dr. Tanvir Kaur / Dr. Reema Roshan, International Health Division, ICMR HQ, New Delhi. Email: [email protected] / [email protected]

Contact (Switzerland — SNSF): Timothy Ryan, International Co-operation Division, SNSF, Berne. Email: [email protected]