[Schmidt Sciences](https://www.schmidtsciences.org)

April 15, 2026: Application deadline

Up to USD 2,500/month for foreign researchers; up to INR 100,000/month for Indian researchers; round-trip airfare included; funding covers living expenses during the assignment in India.

Open call for collaborative research supporting India's net-zero transition by 2070, focusing on spatial, developmental, and sustainability outcomes.

--- ## Description This open call, part of the Net Zero India Project in collaboration with Schmidt Sciences under the Research Frontier Networks (RFN) program, seeks collaborative research proposals to support India's transition to net-zero emissions by 2070. The initiative is led by IIT Delhi and is focused on developing spatially-resolved technological pathways and understanding their implications for development and sustainability—including employment, health, energy access, equity, and biodiversity. The program emphasizes the creation and transparent sharing of new qualitative and quantitative methodologies, spatial mapping of energy technologies, and open access to modeling tools and data. Four thematic areas are open for proposals: - Modelling employment shifts in India's energy transition - Linking high-resolution energy infrastructure pathways to air pollution and mortality outcomes - Modelling India's forest carbon through dynamic, spatial, and integrated approaches - Water-Food-Energy (WFE) nexus modelling for development-compatible net-zero pathways The RFN program aims to build regional expertise and context-specific tools for earth system research, positioning IIT Delhi as a hub for interdisciplinary collaboration to address climate challenges in the Global South. --- ## Due Dates - April 15, 2026: Application deadline (full submission of 2-3 page research plan, CV, and other details) - May 15, 2026: Selection of open call --- ## Funding Amount - Foreign PhD students or postdocs: Up to USD 2,500 per month - Indian students and young researchers (RAs/PhDs/Postdocs): Up to INR 100,000 per month - Funding covers living expenses while on assignment in India - IIT Delhi will provide one round-trip airfare for selected researchers - A portion of the honorarium is paid after submission of deliverables --- ## Eligibility - Open to PhD students, postdocs, and young researchers affiliated with academic institutions, not-for-profit organizations, NGOs, or think tanks - Applicants must have their supervisor’s or institution’s permission to participate - Both Indian and international researchers are eligible - Selection is based on prior work, publications relevant to the theme, and institutional affiliation --- ## Application Process - Submit a 2–3 page research plan, CV, and other relevant details via the [online application form](https://forms.gle/tWd7r8rYnbAWUmfB8) - Clearly indicate which of the four thematic areas your proposal addresses - Applications are reviewed by a selection committee based on the applicant’s experience and alignment with the call’s themes --- ## Additional Information - The initiative emphasizes open access to all modeling tools and data developed through the project - Collaboration with IIT Delhi is required; researchers will be embedded within the project team - The project duration is typically linked to the Net Zero India Project timeline (July 2026 – May 2027 for this round) --- ## External Links - [Program Announcement & Details](https://spp.iitd.ac.in/news/76) - [Theme 1: Modelling Employment Shifts](https://owncloud.iitd.ac.in/nextcloud/index.php/s/Xjmg3972xF37Dck) - [Theme 2: Energy Infrastructure & Air Pollution](https://owncloud.iitd.ac.in/nextcloud/index.php/s/RaCBk7Hwkk6gGNT) - [Theme 3: Forest Carbon Modelling](https://owncloud.iitd.ac.in/nextcloud/index.php/s/PTNmaiLLbEgb5WE) - [Theme 4: Water-Food-Energy Nexus](https://owncloud.iitd.ac.in/nextcloud/index.php/s/NebZfA7cZKTnrC3) - [Application Form](https://forms.gle/tWd7r8rYnbAWUmfB8) --- ## Contact Information | Name | Email | Phone | |-----------------------------|------------------------------------------------|----------------------| | Ms. Ashwini Mudgal | [ashwinim.cstaff@iitd.ac.in](mailto:ashwinim.cstaff@iitd.ac.in) | +91-11-2659 7633 (O) | | Dr. Kaveri Iychettira | [Kaveri@iitd.ac.in](mailto:Kaveri@iitd.ac.in) | | | Dr. Ekta Baranwal | [ekta1988.cstaff@iitd.ac.in](mailto:ekta1988.cstaff@iitd.ac.in) | | | General Info | [information@sopp.iitd.ac.in](mailto:information@sopp.iitd.ac.in) | | Address: IIT Campus, Hauz Khas, New Delhi, Delhi 110016

IIT Delhi - Schmidt Sciences Open Call 2026-2027 (Round 1)

Sign in to see full grant listing