INDO FRENCH NETWORKING RESEARCH PROGRAMME

UNDER INDO-FRENCH PROGRAMME OF COOPERATION IN SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

 

CALL FOR PROPOSALS

 

1- Objectives:

 

Facilitate and develop a high-level scientific and technological co-operation between research laboratories in the two countries, with a focus on R&D Industry linkages and innovation.

 

This programme should allow for a reinforcement of Indo-French scientific partnerships by enhancing the build-up of thematic Joint Research Networks in priority areas of the two countries.

 

Each network will be organised around 2 to 6 research groups in each country. Each of these networks will be coordinated by one Indian and one French coordinator.

 

2- General organisation:

 

This programme of scientific and technological co-operation is jointly run by:

 

-          From the Indian side, the Department of Science and Technology (Coordinating Agency) Ministry of Science and Technology of the Government of India,

 

-          From the French side, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Coordinating Agency), the Ministry of Youth, National Education and Research, and the following public research organisations : BRGM, CEA, CIRAD, CNES, CNRS, INRA, INRIA, INSERM, and IRD;

 

It will be jointly financed by the Indian and French sides, as per the terms of the Inter-governmental Indo-French Programme of Cooperation in Science & Technology (POC) signed on the 16th of March 2003, while preserving the general principle of parity between the two parties.

 

3- Guidelines for the submission of proposals:

 

This programme is conducted on the basis of a restricted call for proposals in direction of the Indian and French laboratories attached to the universities, research institutes and companies.

For the French side, the head of the network must belong to one of the organisations mentioned above.

 

In order to increase efficiency of the selection procedure, only those projects which satisfy the following criteria will be taken into account:

 

-          To be submitted by groups of laboratories constituting a network (2 to 6 research groups from each country), having appointed two co-coordinators (one Indian and one French), and among which two groups at least have already been involved in an Indo-French partnership, as testified by common scientific publications ;

 

-          To be received in due time.

 

4- Selection of the projects

 

Projects will be subjected to a distinct scientific evaluation in both countries. The rating, based on a scale from 1 to 10, will be exchanged before the meeting of the joint working group in charge of selection of the projects.

 

The scientific evaluation will take in priority account of the following criteria:

 

Scientific / technological quality, innovation

 

-          Scientific relevance of the topics;

-          Scientific quality of the research groups involved in the project;

-          Relevance of the project with the priority areas of the two countries;

-          Implication of doctorate students and young researchers;

-          Possibility of partnership with companies;

-          Possibility of industrial linkages.

 

Interest of international co-operation

 

-          Added value by an international co-operation versus a national project;

-          Insertion of the networks into the geo strategic choices of both countries;

-          Added value for the external trade exchanges of both countries.

 

Resources and management

 

-          Relevance of the methodology and work plan;

-          Management abilities of the partners in each country;

-          Relevance of resources to the project;

-          Guarantees regarding the IPR.

 

It will depend on each research group, Indian and French, to make sure of the effective protection and fair repartition of the intellectual property resulting from the joint accomplishment of the project, as mentioned in the POC.

 

5- Follow-up:

 

Every year, the Indian and French Coordinators will send a report to the Coordinating Agencies, notifying the progress and activity of the project. At mid-term of the project, a joint evaluation will be undertaken to decide further support for the remaining ongoing period. 

 

6- Financing:

 

Each project, of a four years duration, will be funded for a maximum of 100 000 Euros from each side.

 

The French side, by the intermediary of the Ministry of Youth, Education and Research, will in addition cover the fellowship expenses of Indian post-docs.

The Indian side will also provide postdoctoral fellowships every year to French researchers in the frame of these networks.

 

The supports granted by the two countries to the research groups will be complementary, and will be intended for covering the expenses related to the mobility and to the “networking” dimension of the project. 

This support will cover travel and life expenses of the researchers, as well as subsidiary expenses for the operation of the project.

The partner research groups will ensure that the project has access to human resources and equipment necessary for its realisation.

 

7- Scientific Areas:

 

The following scientific domains will be considered for the present Indo-French Networking Research Programme.

 

-          Environmental sciences: water resources, climate change, water treatment, management, quality.

-          Organic chemistry: synthesis of bioactive molecules.

-          Physics: lasers

-          Information Technology

-          Bio-informatics: in relation to Health and to Agronomy.

 

8- Application forms

 

-          These forms can be retrieved from the following web sites :

 

www.education.gouv.fr

www.recherche.gouv.fr

www.diplomatie.gouv.fr

www.dst.gov.in

 

The application forms, jointly completed by the French and Indian partners, will be submitted by the two co-coordinators not later than 30th April 2004 to the following addresses:

 

In India:

 

MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

DEPARTMENT OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

TECHNOLOGY BHAVAN

NEW MEHRAULI ROAD, NEW DELHI 110 016

Dr. USHA SHARMA

ADVISER / SCIENTIST ‘G’

INTERNATIONAL DIVISION

tel. : 26967357
fax : 26862418

ushas@alpha.nic.in

Five copies in English.

 

In France:

 

Ministère de la Jeunesse, de l’Education Nationale

et de la Recherche

Ministère des Affaires Etrangères

M. Dominique CHATTON
Délégation aux Relations internationales et à la Coopération

Bureau Asie-Océanie

Mr Jacques DE CROIZANT
Direction de la Coopération Scientifique Universitaire et de Recherche (DGCID)

Sous-Direction de la Recherche

110, Rue de Grenelle - 75357 Paris07 SP

244, boulevard Saint-Germain 75303 Paris 07 SP

tél. : 01 55 55 09 20
fax : 01 55 55 23 80

dominique.chatton@education.gouv.fr

 

tél. : 01 43 17 90 03
fax : 01 43 17 88 38

Jacques.De-Croizant@diplomatie.gouv.fr

 

                                                                           

(3 copies in French language)

 

 

(2 copies in French language).

 


And one copy in French language should also be sent to the Direction of International relations of the organism heading the network (BRGM, CEA, CIRAD, CNES, CNRS, INRA, INRIA, INSERM, IRD).

 

9- CALENDAR:  

 

·         DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION : 30 April, 2004

·         EXPECTED STARTING DATE OF THE PROJECTS: 1 September, 2004


ANNEXURE – I

 

FRENCH-INDIAN INTER-GOVERNMENTAL

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY COOPERATION PROGRAMME

PROFORMA FOR APPLICATION OF JOINT RESEARCH PROJECT

A.          PROJECT IDENTIFICATION

1.                  Title of the Project:

2.                  Duration of the Project in months:

3.         Expected date of commencement:

4.         Field of Science and Technology covered by the proposal:

5.         Key words qualifying the scope of the proposal:

6.         Project Investigators (PI) and Collaborating Institutions:

 

FRENCH                           INDIAN

 

Name of PI

Designation

Date of Birth

Address of Institution

Telephone No.

Fax No.

E-mail

Name & Designation of Head of Institution

 

 

 

Name of the Co-Investigator

Designation

Date of Birth

Institution’s Address

Telephone No.

Fax No.

E-mail

Name & Designation of Head of Institution

* In case of Network Research Programmes, similar details of participating Investigators need  to be provided.

B.     TECHNICAL INFORMATION

1.                  Objective of the Project ( up to 200 words)

2.                  Justification for collaboration and brief information about national and            international scenario in the proposed area of research ( up 200 words)

3.                  Description of the project including methodology ( up to 400 words)

4.                  Plan of Work

Time Scheduled

French Responsibilities

 

Indian Responsibilities

1st Year

 

 

2nd Year

 

 

3rd Year

 

 

*4th Year

 

 

 

5.                  Number of exchange visit required to achieve the Project Objective (Year-wise).

Period

France to India

India to France

 

Number

Duration

Number

Duration

1st Year

 

 

 

 

2nd Year

 

 

 

 

3rd Year

 

 

 

 

*4th Year

 

 

 

 

6.                  Expected results of this cooperation (e.g. joint publications, patents etc.). Are any of the expected results like to have commercial value?  How do you propose to share it?  (up to 100 words).

 

7.                  Bio-data of French and Indian Project Investigators, Co-investigators and Other Participating Investigators (for Network Research Programmes) to be attached. Description should highlight the expertise of PI (s) in the proposed field of work supported by citing relevant publications including those accepted for publication. Patents / copyrights taken, software systems developed may also be included. (to be appended in about 3 pages)]

 

8.                  List of on-going research projects with  French / Indian PIs

 

Title of the project

Area of Research

Duration with dates of commencement and completion of the project

Funding available and source of funds

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

C.        ADMINISTRATIVE & FINANCIAL INFORMATION

1 .        Project Cost

Year

Equipment

Consumable

Contingency

Exchange Visits

Total

1st Year

 

 

 

 

 

2nd Year

 

 

 

 

 

3rd Year

 

 

 

 

 

*4th Year

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

 

 

 

 

*For Network Research Programmes

2.                  Signature of the Project Investigators & Co-Investigators and Other Participating Investigators (For Network Research Programmes)

 

 

                        FRENCH                                                                        INDIAN

 

 

3.                  Declaration from the Head of the Collaborating Institutions:

(To be submitted separately on the Official Letter Head of the Head of the collaborating institutions along with the signature and seal)

Separate declarations need to be submitted by Co-Investigators, if belonging to a different institution. Participating Investigators associated with Network Research Programmes coming from different institutions also need to submit this Declaration.

It is certified that

i)                    The Institution agrees to participate in this Indo-French Joint Research Project entitled _____________________________;

ii)                   The Institution shall provide infrastructure and necessary facilities for implementing this joint project;

iii)                 The Institution assumes to undertake financial and other management responsibility for the part of the project work to be carried out at their institution; and

iv)                 The back up funding for manpower, consumable etc. is available to this project.

 

 

 

SIGNATURE & SEAL OF THE HEAD OF THE INSTITUTIONS

 

 

            FRENCH                                                                    INDIAN


ANNEXURE – II

FRENCH-INDIAN INTER-GOVERNMENTAL

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY COOPERATION PROGRAMME

PROPOSAL FOR THE EXCHANGE VISIT

1.                  Project Title

2.                  Project Code

3.                  Last Name

First and Middle Name

4.                  Sex

5.                  Date and Place of Birth

6.                  Father/Mother’s Name

7.                  Passport No.

Date & Place of Issue

8.                  Designation, Organization with contact numbers

9.                  Area of specialization

Important publication during last 5 years

10.              Duration of the visit

11.              Starting on

12.              Expected port of landing

13.              Institutes to be visited with duration (Not more than three)

14.              Brief write-up on the purpose of the visit and expected outcome (please attach separate sheet if necessary)

 

PROJECT COORDINATOR

 

 

Date: __________________ 

 

ANNEXURE – III

 

NETWORK RESEARCH PROGRAMME – SUMMARY SHEET (INDIAN SIDE)

 

Names of Investigators

Institution / Address, Tele, Fax, E-mail

Area of Expertise

Visits per year / Duration

Purpose of visit

Tentative cost

 

 

 

Year  Nos. Duration                     

 

 

Name of PI

 

 

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

 

 

 

 

Name of Co-PI

 

 

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

 

 

 

 

Names of  Participating Investigator

1

 

 

 

 

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

 

 

 

 

2.

 

 

 

 

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

 

 

 

 

3.

 

 

 

 

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

 

 

 

 

4.

 

 

 

 

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

 

 

 

 

 


ANNEXURE – IV

 

NETWORK RESEARCH PROGRAMME – SUMMARY SHEET (FRENCH SIDE)

 

Names of Investigators

Institution / Address, Tele, Fax, E-mail

Area of Expertise

Visits per year / Duration

Purpose of visit

Tentative cost

 

 

 

Year  Nos. Duration                     

 

 

Name of PI

 

 

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

 

 

 

 

Name of Co-PI

 

 

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

 

 

 

 

Names of  Participating Investigator

1

 

 

 

 

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

 

 

 

 

2.

 

 

 

 

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

 

 

 

 

3.

 

 

 

 

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

 

 

 

 

4.

 

 

 

 

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

 

 

 

 

 


INSTRUCTIONS FOR PROPOSAL PREPARATION:

 

            The Project description should contain clear statement of work to be done and should include sub-sections on introduction, objective, plan of work, experimental methods, specific activities to be under taken by the French and Indian collaborator(s), significance of expected outcome and its relation to present sate of knowledge in the field. The project description should clearly bring out the need for collaboration and expected tangible gains for the two sides.

 

2.         The CV of all French and Indian participants of the project must be attached with the project proposal. The following information must be provided:

 

Ø      Title, Name, Date of birth, Marital Status, M.Sc onward academic and professional career

Ø      List of up to 5 publications most closely related to the project proposal

Ø      Publications, including those accepted for publications

Ø      Patents, copyrights or software systems developed.

 

3.         Along with 5 copies of the project proposal one copy each of the following documents is also required:

 

Ø      Endorsement from the head of the Institution

Ø      A letter from the French Collaborator indicating that-

      The proposal is prepared jointly

      He/she agrees with the technical contents of the proposal

      He/she undertakes to submit counterpart proposal to _____

Ø      In case of proposal involving Recombinant DNA work, a certificate from the Institutional Bio-safety committee.

Ø      In case of proposal involving research with human subjects, a certificate from the Institutional Ethical Committee.

Ø      In case of proposal involving IPR related issues or transfer of material from France to India, a copy of the agreement signed between the two PI’s for sharing the IPR.

 

4.         For Network Research Programmes, kindly provide information as per Summary Sheet (Annexure – III & IV ) giving details of name of and Address of Principal Investigator, Co-Investigator, Other Participating Investigators, visits to be performed per year, purpose of the visit, tentative cost (separately for the Indian and French side).

 

THE PROPOSALS NOT CONFORMING TO THE GUIDELINES AND INSTRUCTIONS AS ABOVE ARE LIABLE TO BE REJECTED IN INITIAL SCREENING.