If you’re a scientist, professor, or senior researcher looking to take your work to an international level, the Indo-Swiss Joint Research Projects (ISJRP) 2026 is the “Gold Standard” of bilateral grants. This isn’t just a small fellowship for students; it’s a high-stakes partnership where India and Switzerland co-fund cutting-edge research to solve global problems.
Since today is February, we are right in the middle of the “Call for Proposals” window. Depending on whether you’re in Social Sciences or Biotech, you have between 6 to 10 weeks to find a Swiss partner and lock in your project.
The Three Big Calls (Which one is yours?)
For 2026, the ISJRP has announced three distinct categories. Each has a different Indian partner agency and a different deadline.
| Research Field | Indian Partner | Deadline (to SNSF/India) |
| Social Sciences | ICSSR | April 8, 2026 |
| Mountain Hazards | MoES | April 8, 2026 |
| One Health (Bio/Med) | DBT & ICMR | May 5, 2026 |
The Budget (The “Crore” Factor)
The funding is “reciprocal”—Switzerland pays the Swiss team, and India pays the Indian team.
-
Indian Side (MoES/DBT/ICMR): Up to ₹2.0 – ₹2.5 Crore per project.
-
Indian Side (ICSSR): Up to ₹25 Lakh (specifically for Social Sciences).
-
Swiss Side (SNSF): Up to CHF 400,000 (approx. ₹3.8 Crore) for a 4-year project.
-
Duration: Projects generally run for 3 to 4 years.
Who is Eligible? (The Principal Investigator)
This is a “Professor-to-Professor” grant. You cannot apply as a student or individual scholar.
-
Indian PI: Must hold a PhD and a regular/permanent position in a recognized Indian academic or research institution.
-
Swiss PI: Must meet the standard eligibility of the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF).
-
The “Bilateral” Rule: You must have at least one partner in Switzerland. You cannot apply alone; the proposal must be a joint effort.
Special Thematic Areas (Don’t deviate!)
Google and the selection panel will reject your form if your topic is generic. It must fit these priorities:
-
Social Sciences: Digital Governance & AI Ethics, Inequality/Justice, or Economic Transformation.
-
Mountain Hazards: Landslides, cloudbursts, or seismic risks (comparing the Himalayas vs. the Alps is highly encouraged).
-
One Health: Integrated research on the health of humans, animals, and the environment (Zoonotic diseases, AMR, etc.).
How to Apply: The “Two-Portal” Strategy
This is where most people get disqualified. You have to follow a dual-submission process:
-
SNSF Portal: The Swiss PI submits the joint proposal here. Note: Every Indian team member must create a SWITCH edu-ID account to be included in the digital form.
-
Indian Submission: * For MoES/ICSSR, you must email a consolidated PDF to the Indian coordinator.
-
For ICSSR, a hard copy must also be sent via Speed Post to New Delhi within 7 days of the deadline.
-
Pro-Tips for a Winning Proposal:
-
True Reciprocity: Don’t let the Indian side just be the “data collectors.” The panel wants to see that scientists from both countries are doing equal intellectual work.
-
Mobility is Encouraged: Budget for your PhD students and Postdocs to visit the Swiss lab. These “reciprocal visits” are a core part of the ISJRP mission.
-
Search Tools: If you don’t have a Swiss partner yet, use the SNSF “P3” database to search for Swiss professors working on similar topics and send them a tailored collaboration email.