Daylight Saving Time IJCSP 2026: The Department of Science and Technology (DST) under the Ministry of Science and Technology has invited applications for the Indo-Japan Cooperative Science Program (IJCSP) 2026. The program is conducted in conjunction with the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS) and aims to strengthen scientific collaboration between Indian and Japanese researchers. The last date to submit proposals is September 3, 2026.Eligible Indian researchers and scientists can apply for joint research projects or joint seminars and workshops under the scheme. Applications are open in six science disciplines: physical sciences, chemical sciences, life sciences and agriculture, mathematical and computational sciences, astronomy and earth sciences, and materials and engineering.Applicant Eligibility CriteriaEach proposal must be jointly submitted by an Indian and a Japanese Principal Investigator (PI), who will be responsible for scientific, technical and administrative coordination. Indian applicants must be employed in a regular capacity at a university, a deemed university, an academic institution, a national research and development laboratory, or a private non-profit organization engaged in research and development activities.The Indian PI should maintain liaison with the parent agency throughout the duration of the proposed project. Japanese PI must be a full-time researcher at a university or research institution recognized by JSPS. Researchers involved in two or more ongoing DST-supported international projects (not expected to end before March 31, 2027) are not eligible to participate.Project duration and financial supportProjects approved under the scheme can run for up to two years, with visits required to be completed within one year and ten months. DST said the sending party will bear international travel costs and the receiving party will provide local hospitality, accommodation and domestic travel support.For Indian researchers, support includes international air tickets, visa fees, airport taxes, overseas medical insurance and related travel expenses. Japanese researchers visiting India will receive accommodation, daily stipend and domestic travel support as per DST standards. An annual emergency grant of Rs 25,000 will also be provided. No funding will be provided for equipment, labor or consumables.Submission and evaluation processApplications must be submitted in the prescribed format through the DST electronic application system before 5 pm on September 3, 2026. The Japanese counterpart must also submit the same proposal to JSPS at the same time.Proposals will be evaluated based on scientific relevance, methodology, applicant qualifications, value of personnel exchange, contribution to bilateral cooperation, social impact and dissemination of results. The evaluation will be conducted independently by DST and JSPS. Coordinators expect to receive results in April or May 2027, and approved projects may begin in June 2027.
