IGSTC Industrial Fellowship - PhD Industrial Exposure Fellowship gives young Indian PhD students the chance to gain hands-on research experience in German industries and industrial R&D setups. Selected fellows get €1500 per month, round-trip airfare with visa and travel insurance, and health insurance, so they can focus fully on applied research during their stay in Germany.
Indo-German Science & Technology Centre (IGSTC) runs this scheme for the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India, and the Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space (BMFTR), Government of Germany. IGSTC opened applications for the 2026 fellowship cycle in February 2026 and the last date to apply was 31 March 2026. A fresh call is announced every year on the official IGSTC website.
IGSTC Industrial Fellowship - PhD Industrial Exposure Fellowship - Introduction
PhD Industrial Exposure Fellowship (PIEF) is one of the two industrial fellowships run by IGSTC. It is made for early-stage PhD researchers who want to see how research works inside real German companies and industrial research organisations.
The fellowship normally runs for up to 6 months. During this period, a scholar works on a defined research project with a German host organisation while staying enrolled in their Indian institution. This helps reduce the gap between classroom knowledge and applied industrial research.
What this fellowship will do:
- Give young researchers real exposure to German industrial research environments and modern lab facilities.
- Help build strong professional links between Indian and German academia and industry.
- Provide hands-on experience in applied research and technology development.
- Open career opportunities through networking with industry experts in the scientific community.
Key Information
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Scheme Name | IGSTC Industrial Fellowship - PhD Industrial Exposure Fellowship |
| Launched By | Department of Science and Technology (DST), India and Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space (BMFTR), Germany |
| Implementing Agency | Indo-German Science & Technology Centre (IGSTC) |
| Beneficiaries | Indian PhD students in science and engineering |
| Fellowship Amount | €1500 per month plus airfare and health insurance |
| Fellowship Duration | Up to 6 months |
| Age Limit | Below 28 years |
| Last Date for 2026 Cycle | 31 March 2026 |
| Application Mode | Online |
Benefits
Selected scholars receive financial support for the full fellowship period in Germany. Support is paid in euros and covers the main costs of the stay.
| Support Item | Limit |
|---|---|
| Monthly Fellowship | €1500 per month (approx ₹1.35 lakh) |
| Round Trip Airfare with Visa and Travel Insurance | Up to €1000 (approx ₹90,000) |
| Health Insurance | Up to €100 per month |
Fellowship duration: the fellowship has to be completed within 6 months for PIEF. Extensions are not granted under this scheme, and the scholar must return to India after finishing the planned work.
Eligibility
To apply for this fellowship, a candidate needs to meet all these conditions:
- Must be an Indian citizen.
- Must be below 28 years of age.
- Must be a PhD student in science or engineering enrolled at an Indian institution, with at least one year of PhD completed.
- Must have a well-defined research project that matches the work of a German industrial partner.
For example, if Rahul is a second-year PhD student in Mechanical Engineering and is below 28, he can apply once he gets a consent letter from a German host company. If Priya has not yet completed one year of her PhD, she should wait till she reaches the one-year mark.
Key Requirements: a consent letter from the German host organisation is required before applying. A No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the head of the Indian institution and a recommendation letter from the PhD mentor are also part of the application package.
Application Process
Applications are submitted online through the official IGSTC application portal. Follow these steps:
STEP 1 - Visit the official IGSTC website at www.igstc.org and open the 'Industrial Fellowships' page to check whether a call for applications is open.
STEP 2 - Prepare the required documents, including the research plan, consent letter from the German host organisation, NOC from the Indian institution and recommendation letter from the PhD mentor.
STEP 3 - Submit the application through the official IGSTC application portal before the last date of the open call.
Once submitted, a Scientific Committee evaluates the application on merit and its decision is final. For queries, email industrial.fellowship@igstc.org or call +91-011-26543500.
Documents
Keep the following documents ready before starting the online application:
- A clear passport-size photograph.
- Official consent letter from the German host organisation.
- No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the head of the Indian institution.
- Strong recommendation letter from the PhD mentor.
- Scanned copy of Passport or Aadhaar card for date of birth proof.
- Academic certificates in reverse chronological order.
- Employment proof, if applicable.
References
Official and updated sources for this scheme are given below:
Official IGSTC application portal
Call for IGSTC Industrial Fellowships 2026 (phdtalks.org)
FAQ's
What is IGSTC Industrial Fellowship?
IGSTC Industrial Fellowship is a scheme that sends PhD scholars and post-doctoral researchers to work in German industries. PhD Industrial Exposure Fellowship (PIEF) is the level meant for current PhD students.
Who is eligible for this fellowship?
An Indian PhD student in science or engineering who is enrolled at an Indian institution, has completed at least one year of PhD, and is below 28 years of age can apply.
What is the fellowship amount?
PIEF scholars get €1500 per month, round-trip airfare with visa and travel insurance up to €1000, and health insurance up to €100 per month.
Are foreign university students eligible?
No, candidates must be enrolled in an Indian research institution to apply.
How do I find a host industry in Germany?
The applicant has to identify and contact the German host organisation. Past participants of IGSTC 2+2 projects can be a useful starting point for finding leads.
Can I extend my stay?
No, the fellowship duration is fixed and cannot be extended.
What if I already have another fellowship?
This fellowship can be held alongside another fellowship, as long as the other program does not restrict or conflict with it.
How will I receive the funds?
IGSTC transfers the grant to the scholar's Indian bank account in rupees.
Has the 2026 deadline passed?
Yes, applications for the 2026 cycle closed on 31 March 2026. IGSTC announces a fresh call every year, so check the official website for the next cycle.