AI SummaryWomen Involvement in Science and Engineering Research (WISER) is a bilateral scheme of the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India, and the Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space (BMFTR), Government of Germany. The scheme is run by the Indo-German Science and Technology Centre (IGSTC) and supports women researchers in India and Germany who want to join an ongoing R&D project in the other country without applying for a fresh project grant. IGSTC has opened the 2026 call for proposals and the scheme continues to accept women researchers in every STEM field.
WISER helps women researchers build scientific capacity through international collaboration. Applications are submitted in paired mode, with one woman Principal Investigator from India and one from Germany for every joint proposal. The grant covers project support in the home country and a research stay in the host country, and the total help for three years goes up to ₹39 lakh for an Indian PI and €48,000 for a German PI.
Women Involvement in Science and Engineering Research - Introduction
Women Involvement in Science and Engineering Research is a vital platform to build scientific capacity and promote women researchers in India and Germany. It matches the complementary expertise available in science, technology, innovation, and research partnerships and creates a bridge for long-term collaboration between the two countries.
For 2026, the call for proposals opened on 1 February 2026 and the application deadline is 31 March 2026, with the online submission window available through the IGSTC applicant portal. Women researchers who hold a regular or long-term research position in academia, research institutes, or industry, and have at least 5 years of research experience, can apply. There is no age limit. A detailed user manual and the 2026 basic guidelines are available on the IGSTC website to help applicants prepare their proposals.
Key Information
| Scheme Name | Women Involvement in Science and Engineering Research (WISER) |
| Level | Central |
| Scheme For | Individual |
| Beneficiary States | All |
| Category | Women and Child, Education and Learning |
| Target Beneficiaries | Individual |
| Sub Category | Financial Assistance, International education |
| Benefit Type | Composite |
| DBT Scheme | No |
| Nodal Ministry | Ministry of Science And Technology |
| Nodal Department | Department of Science and Technology |
| Implementing Agency | Indo-German Science and Technology Centre |
| 2026 Application Deadline | 31 March 2026 |
| Maximum Grant | ₹39 lakh (Indian PI) and €48,000 (German PI) |
| Tags | Women, WISER, Germany, IGSTC, STEM |
Benefits
The grant provides practical project support so the proposed research can succeed. It covers two main parts, project help in the home country and one month of research stay in the host country, including travel, visa, insurance, and per diem costs. There is no separate fellowship amount, and the award is announced only after the joint committee selects the proposal.
| Category | Indian Awardee Details |
|---|---|
| Travel Expenses | Approximately ₹1 lakh, including visa and insurance |
| Project Cost | Up to ₹12 lakh per year, including staff, consumables, and per diem at €2300 per month |
| Maximum Total Grant | Up to ₹39 lakh for three years |
| Category | German Awardee Details |
|---|---|
| Travel Expenses | Approximately €1500, including visa and insurance |
| Project Cost | Up to €14,500 per year, including consumables, contingency, and per diem at €2300 per month |
| Maximum Total Grant | Up to €48,000 for three years |
Eligibility
Women researchers from India and Germany can apply if they meet the following conditions:
- Hold a regular or long-term research position in academia, research institutes, or industry in India or Germany.
- Have at least 5 years of research experience in a STEM field. Early and mid-career researchers are encouraged to apply.
- Submit the proposal together with a paired woman Principal Investigator from the other country. One woman PI must be from India and one from Germany for every joint proposal.
There is no age limit under the scheme. All STEM fields are open for proposals. Before applying, define the specific role in the project and give clear details of the objective, execution strategy, and expected outcomes. Securing the paired applicant and the host institute endorsement is the responsibility of the applicant, and a No Objection Certificate from the current institution is required. Once awarded, the research visit must begin within 12 months. All publications or reports resulting from the grant must acknowledge IGSTC funding.
Application Process
Women involvement in Science and Engineering Research follows a paired mode application process. Both the Indian and the German woman PI must register on the IGSTC applicant portal and submit a single joint proposal before the deadline.
STEP 1 - Visit the official IGSTC applicant portal at official online portal and register as a new user. Existing users can log in with their credentials.
STEP 2 - Enter the paired applicant details in the pairing section of the application. The paired applicant will receive a notification about the draft proposal and must complete the joint submission.
STEP 3 - Fill out the application form completely. Upload the detailed research proposal, endorsement letters, No Objection Certificate, publication list, and other required documents before the deadline of 31 March 2026.
STEP 4 - Submit the proposal through the portal. The joint committee evaluates the application on professional credentials, relevance to STEM, and the overall feasibility of the plan. The committee's decision is final.
Documents Required
Keep the following documents ready before starting the online application:
- Passport-size photograph and relevant educational certificates.
- No Objection Certificate (NOC) or endorsement letter from the current head of institution.
- Formal endorsement or consent letter from the host institute in the partner country.
- Detailed proposal of the intended research work, with expected outcomes.
- Comprehensive list of scientific publications and any patents filed or granted.
Contact Information
For help with the application, contact the IGSTC office at +91-011-26543500 or email wiser@igstc.org. The office is located at Indo-German Science and Technology Centre, Ground Floor, Block II, Technology Bhavan, New Mehrauli Road, New Delhi 110016, India. The complete 2026 basic guidelines and the user manual PDF are available on the official IGSTC website.
References
View 2026 Call for Proposals | Read 2026 Basic Guidelines | Visit DST Scheme Page | Apply Online
FAQ's
What is the WISER scheme?
Women Involvement in Science and Engineering Research helps women researchers in India and Germany join ongoing international research projects without applying for a fresh project subsidy.
Who can apply for WISER in 2026?
Any woman holding a regular or long-term research position in academia, research institutes, or industry in India or Germany, with at least 5 years of research experience, can apply.
What is the 2026 application deadline?
The call for proposals opened on 1 February 2026 and the last date for submission is 31 March 2026.
Is a Co-PI allowed in WISER?
No, Co-PIs are not permitted. Every proposal must have a paired mode arrangement with one woman PI from India and one woman PI from Germany.
What research areas are covered?
All STEM fields are open for application, with special preference for applied research projects.
Is there an age limit?
No, there is no age limit, though priority is often given to early and mid-career professionals.
What is the grant tenure?
The grant runs for 3 years or until the project concludes, whichever comes first.
Can the tenure be extended?
No, extensions are not available.
How do I find a host institute?
Finding a host partner in the other country is the responsibility of the applicant. The paired applicant and the host institute must give their endorsement before submission.
Is the host required to be female?
No, the host does not need to be female, but the two Principal Investigators submitting the joint proposal must be women.
What documentation is required on completion?
When the tenure finishes, submit a final report along with a consolidated Statement of Expenditure and Utilisation Certificate in the prescribed format.