Based on the Program of Cooperation (PoC) signed between Department of Biotechnology (DBT, India) and Deutsche Forschungs gemeinschaft (DFG, Germany) in October 2012, the government agencies from both the countries have invited collaborative research proposals for support under the Indo-German (DBT-DFG) initiative on building "Institutional Partnerships". Proposals may only be made by researchers affiliated to research institutions/university faculties and departments recognised by the respective Indian and German funding organizations.

The program "Grant to Support International Collaboration" complements other existing Indo-German scientific exchange programs by offering incremental funds for research grants in addition to mobility funding from both sides. The joint funding grant avenues include them mobility grants and bilateral workshops and seminars, research grants, Indo-German international research training groups and Indo-German collaborative research centres. The same will be in the field of biotechnology and covering disciplines such as medical biotechnology, agricultural biotechnology, innovative food and nutrition technology, medical devices and bioengineering, environmental biotechnology or any other area of mutual interest.

The objectives of this scheme is to promote and strengthen the research cooperation in the field of biotechnology between the two countries, by providing funding to allow joint research activities for internationally excellent research in relevant areas of mutual interest and benefit to be derived from bilateral cooperation and with the desire to strengthen the research cooperation on the basis of equality.