The DFG Office India of the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG, German Research Foundation) organised a two-day outreach initiative in Pune on 4 and 5 February 2026. For a long time, Pune has been a centre for Indo-German cooperation across industry and academia, making it an ideal location for strengthening scientific and technological partnerships. With many faculty members at leading institutions maintaining strong research ties with Germany, the city continues to serve as a key hub for German engagement in India. 

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The delegation lead by Dr. Franziska Langer, Director DFG Office India, and consisting of representatives from the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) Information Centre Pune, the University of Köln Regional Office- India & South Asia and the University of Göttingen India Office, visited leading research institutions and universities within Pune to promote Indo-German collaboration and share information on research opportunities in Germany. The institutions visited included: 

• Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Pune (IISER-Pune)(externer Link)

• CSIR- National Chemical Laboratory, Pune (CSIR-NCL)(externer Link)

• Savitribai Phule Pune University(externer Link)

• Symbiosis International (Deemed University), Pune(externer Link)

• Inter-University Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics (IUCAA)(externer Link)

• BRIC National Centre for Cell Science, Pune (BRIC-NCCS)(externer Link)

At each institution, the delegation engaged in productive discussions with leadership and senior faculty on institutional strengths and potential areas for cooperation. These meetings were followed by interactive sessions with the faculty and students, during which representatives of German funding organisations and universities presented various funding programmes, academic pathways and opportunities for research careers and collaborations in Germany.

The outreach initiative effectively highlighted Germany’s diverse research ecosystem to Pune’s academic community and was warmly received by all participating institutions. 

In addition, on the kind invitation of the Max Planck Society, the DFG Office India took part in the 10th India Max Planck Partner Group Meeting held on 6 and 7 February 2026 at the Trident Hotel Mumbai and Tata Institute for Fundamental Research (TIFR) Mumbai. The Max Planck Partner Groups support outstanding early career researchers who, after completing a research stay at a Max Planck Institute, return to their home country to pursue further research aligned with their host institute’s interests. Funded for five years, these groups have proven to be a highly successful instrument for fostering early career talent and strengthening international research networks. Since 2004, 88 Max Planck Partner Groups with India have been supported, 22 of which are currently active. 

During the meeting, two new Max Planck Asia Centers were announced:

• Max Planck-Asia Center for Stellar Physics: Prof. Shravan Hanasoge, TIFR Mumbai and Prof. Laurent Gizon, MPI for Solar Systems Research
• Max Planck-Asia Center for unravelling the nexus of AIR pollution, extreme weather, and monsoon in a warming climate, pathways to global solutions (MAC-AIR): Prof. Sachin Gunthe, IIT Madras and Prof. Yafang Cheng and Prof. Ulrich Pöschl, MPI for Chemistry. 

The two-day event brought together more than 40 current and former Indian heads of Partner Groups, Directors of several Max Planck Institutes, representatives from the Max Planck Society’s general administration and India Office, the Deputy Consul General of the German Consulate in Mumbai, and representatives of German research funding organisations including DFG, DAAD/DWIH New Delhi, the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation and the Indo-German Science and Technology Centre (IGSTC).

The DFG Office India(interner Link) actively participated in all these engagements and gave a presentation showcasing the German research landscape and various collaborative opportunities through DFG funding instruments for researchers and for pursuing research careers in Germany.

Across all engagements, the discussions with the faculty and researchers reaffirmed the strong interest in Indo-German research cooperation and the significant potential for future joint research initiatives.

Further Information

Here you can read further information on the DFG Session on Research Grants for Indo-German Collaborations(externer Link) at the BRIC National Centre for Cell Science.

This Instagram Article(externer Link) showcases more pictures of the visit of the DFG office India.

Further insights on the outreach visit in Pune can be seen in this LinkedIn Post(externer Link).