Raman-Charpak Fellowship 2026: Eligibility, Benefits & How to Apply

Raman-Charpak Fellowship 2026 — Overview

The Raman-Charpak Fellowship is a prestigious Indo-French research mobility programme that supports Indian PhD scholars who wish to carry out a part of their doctoral research in France. The fellowship is jointly supported by the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India and the French Institute in India, and is implemented by the Indo-French Centre for the Promotion of Advanced Research (IFCPAR/CEFIPRA).

This fellowship was launched to strengthen scientific cooperation between India and France and to help doctoral researchers gain international research exposure, academic collaboration, and access to advanced laboratories and institutions. For Indian applicants, the fellowship is meant for PhD scholars enrolled in a recognised university or research institution in India who want to spend a short research period in France under the guidance of a host supervisor.

Key Highlights

• Open for Indian PhD scholars registered in recognised universities or research institutions in India.
• Supports research mobility between India and France.
• Fellowship support of 1710 Euros per month for Indian fellows.
• Includes one return economy-class airfare between India and France.
• Travel and health insurance support is provided wherever required.
• Administrative support for visa and registration-related costs may also be covered.
• Duration of fellowship is generally 2 to 5 months.
• Available in multiple science and engineering research areas.
• Application is submitted through the official CEFIPRA online system.

About Raman-Charpak Fellowship

The Raman-Charpak Fellowship is named after two Nobel Laureates in Physics — Prof. C. V. Raman from India and Prof. Georges Charpak from France. The programme was launched in 2013 to promote research exchange and deeper academic collaboration between the two countries.

The fellowship is especially useful for PhD students who want to work with an international supervisor, access specialised facilities, strengthen their research output, and build long-term academic networks. Since it is a mobility fellowship and not a full degree scholarship, it supports a short but important research stay connected to the applicant’s existing PhD work.

Eligibility Criteria

Indian applicants who want to apply for the Raman-Charpak Fellowship must meet the basic eligibility conditions below:

• The applicant must be an Indian citizen residing in India.
• The applicant must be registered for a PhD in a recognised university or research institution in India.
• Indian PhD students in the 2nd year or 3rd year of their PhD are eligible to apply.
• The maximum age is 30 years as per the official call conditions.
• Applicants who have already received support from CEFIPRA earlier are not eligible.
• Candidates holding a permanent position in an institution or university are not eligible.
• The applicant must have prior consent or pre-authorization from their institute or university.
• The host institution for Indian applicants must be in France.

Fields of Research

The fellowship is available across several major science and engineering disciplines, including:

• Atmospheric Sciences, Earth Sciences and Environmental Sciences
• Materials Sciences
• Physical Sciences
• Chemical Sciences
• Engineering Sciences
• Biological Sciences, Life and Medical Sciences
• Mathematical and Computational Sciences
• Agricultural Sciences

Stipend, Duration & Benefits

For Indian fellows, the Raman-Charpak Fellowship provides 1710 Euros per month. This support is meant to cover daily expenses, local travel, accommodation charges, and social security charges during the stay in France.

• 1710 Euros per month for Indian fellows
• One return economy-class airfare between India and France
• Travel and health insurance support wherever required
• Administrative costs for visa and registration, if applicable
• Possible additional support for seminar or workshop participation, subject to rules and receipts

The usual fellowship duration is 2 to 5 months, depending on the approved proposal and official call conditions.

Required Documents

Applicants usually need to prepare and upload the following documents while applying:

• Detailed research proposal in the prescribed format
• CV in the prescribed format with recent photograph
• Letter of recommendation from the PhD supervisor
• Letter of agreement from the proposed host supervisor in France
• PhD synopsis or short summary of PhD work
• Research experience proof or publication proof, if any
• No Objection Certificate from the Head of Institution
• Valid passport copy
• Recent photograph

How to Apply for Raman-Charpak Fellowship 2026

1. Visit the official CEFIPRA Raman-Charpak Fellowship page.
2. Check the latest call for applications and guidelines carefully.
3. Prepare a research proposal that has already been discussed and agreed upon by the student, the Indian supervisor, and the French host supervisor.
4. Collect all required documents in the prescribed format.
5. Register on the official application portal and complete the online form.
6. Upload the required documents and submit the application before the official deadline.

Selection Process

The selection process is based on the applicant’s academic and research profile, the quality of the proposed research plan, the relevance of the Indo-French academic collaboration, and fulfilment of the official eligibility requirements. Strong supervisor support and a well-prepared research proposal are important parts of a competitive application.

Important Note for 2026 Applicants

The Raman-Charpak Fellowship is a recurring programme, but applicants should always rely on the latest official CEFIPRA call for exact dates, application opening, and document instructions. If the 2026 call is not yet announced, students should keep checking the official website for updates and prepare their proposal in advance.

Conclusion

The Raman-Charpak Fellowship 2026 can be an excellent opportunity for Indian PhD scholars who want international research exposure in France. With monthly fellowship support, airfare, insurance assistance, and the opportunity to work with French research institutions, this programme can add real value to a doctoral researcher’s academic journey and long-term research career.