COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES

Post-Doctoral Fellowships are offered for carrying out research work in laboratories/institutions of the Member states of the European Communities from qualified Indian Scientists residing in India. This is within the framework of cooperation in science and technology between India and the Commission of the European Communities, the Ministry of Science and Technology, Department of Science and Technology (DST) in agreement with the Commission of the European Communities, Directorate General for Science, Research and Development.

Objectives: The objective of this Fellowship Programme is to provide the selected India scientists and technologists with an opportunity to work in frontier areas of science and technology and to familiarise themselves with the latest developments.

Subject Areas:
1. Agricultural Sciences,
2. Biotechnology,
3. Chemical Sciences,
4. Engineering Sciences,
5. Environmental Sciences,
6. Earth Atmospheric and Marine Sciences,
7. Life Sciences,
8. Physical and Material Sciences,
9. Mathematics & Computer Sciences,
10. New and Renewable Sources of Energy.

The following two categories of fellowships are awarded:
Category 1: 20 fellowships each of 12 months duration for young scientists.
Category II: 20 fellowships each of 6 months duration for senior scientists.

The number of the fellowships/duration, however, may be changed at the discretion of Department of Science & Technology/Commission of the European Communities.

Age:
For Category 1: Scientists should not be more than 35 years of age an October.
For Category II: Scientists should not be more than 50 years of age on October.

Qualifications: For both the categories I and II above, the applicants must possess Ph.D. degree or M.D./M.S. in the concerned subject, along with (i) a good academic record, and (ii) Excellent research record as evinced by publications of research papers in standard scientific journals or patents.

Value of Scholarships: The fellowship amounts for both categories I and II in the various EC countries are as follows:

Subsidy to the host institution: A financial contribution (bench fee) of ECU 10,000/- per annum (or a corresponding pro -rate) is paid by the EC to the host institution.

Insurance: Insurance against the risk of illness and accidents of the fellowship holder (alongwith the spouse and children, if accompanying him/her) shall have to be borne by the concerned fellowship holder either through an Indian General Insurance Company or European Insurance Company.

Accommodation: The cost of accommodation in Europe have to be borne by the fellowship holder who shall make his/her own arrangement for the stay. No additional amount is paid on this account.

InternationalTravel Cost: The international travel cost of the selected candidates from the place of work in India to the final destination in Europe, where the institution of work is located, is borne by the DST, while the cost of the air fare for the return journey is met by the Commission of the European Communities: a fixed amount is added to the last instalment of the fellowship amount drawn by the fellowship holder.

Issue of application forms and guidelines for its submission: The application forms can be obtained from the Section Officer, International Division, Department of Science and Technology, Technology Bhavan, New Mehrauli Road, New Delhi 1100016. The duly filled application form should be forwarded by the candidate through proper channel (Through the head of the institution where the scientist is working or the concerned administrative agency of the institution).

Notification: including format of application form is generally published in the Employment News and some other prominent national dailies.

Notes:
(a) The selection of a candidate is based on his/her scientific merit, the quality of his/her research papers, future potentiality of his/her work, the relevance and importance of the research work proposed to be carried out as the EC Post-Doctoral Fellow,
(b) Candidates are not allowed to stay in Europe beyond the period for which the fellowship has been granted. Preference is given to he candidates who are working in permanent/quasi-permanent position in an institution/laboratory in India
(c) Separate applications are to be submitted of a candidate wishes his application to be considered for different subject areas/topics of research/institutions/or countries.