India–Netherlands Hydrogen Fellowship Programme Launched to Boost Clean Energy Research

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

DST launched the India–Netherlands Hydrogen Fellowship Programme to build national capacity in hydrogen technologies.
An MoU was signed between the University of Groningen and 19 IITs to promote green energy research.
The initiative aligns with India’s National Green Hydrogen Mission and long-term net-zero goals.

NEW DELHI: The India–Netherlands Hydrogen Fellowship Programme marks a major step in strengthening bilateral scientific cooperation between India and the Netherlands in the field of clean energy. Launched on Monday by the Department of Science and Technology, the initiative aims to accelerate India’s readiness for hydrogen deployment through international collaboration, advanced research exposure, and structured capacity building.

The programme launch was accompanied by the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the University of Groningen and 19 Indian Institutes of Technology, establishing a long-term academic framework for cooperation in green energy and hydrogen research.

India–Netherlands Hydrogen Fellowship Programme Focuses on Capacity Building

The fellowship programme, for which scheme guidelines and the Call for Proposals (CFP) were released, is a national capacity-building initiative open to eligible Indian doctoral scholars, postdoctoral researchers and faculty members across institutions. It is designed to provide structured exposure to the Netherlands’ advanced hydrogen ecosystem.

The programme was formally launched by Prof. Abhay Karandikar, Secretary, DST, in the presence of Mr. Huib Mijnarends, Deputy Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to India. Addressing the gathering, Prof. Karandikar emphasised that focused international collaboration is critical to translating hydrogen research into deployment, especially for hard-to-abate sectors aligned with India’s clean energy transition.

Academic and Diplomatic Support for Green Hydrogen Collaboration

Highlighting the strategic alignment between the two countries, Mr. Mijnarends said Indo-Dutch cooperation in hydrogen and energy transition reflects shared priorities on sustainability and innovation. Prof. Dr. Jouke de Vries, President of the University of Groningen, underlined the importance of sustained academic partnerships in tackling complex global energy challenges through science-led solutions.

The fellowship places strong emphasis on system integration, hydrogen safety, techno-economic analysis, life-cycle assessment and indigenisation pathways, ensuring that research outcomes directly contribute to India’s national clean energy priorities.

IIT–University of Groningen MoU Strengthens Research Framework

Alongside the fellowship launch, DST hosted the signing of an institution-to-institution MoU between the University of Groningen and 19 IITs. The agreement establishes an enabling framework for long-term academic cooperation in hydrogen and green energy research.

Also Read | Network Readiness Index 2025 India Climbs Four Spots to Rank 45th Globally

The MoU will facilitate faculty and student exchanges, joint research projects and structured knowledge sharing. Officials clarified that the agreement operates without automatic financial commitments, allowing institutions flexibility while encouraging sustained collaboration.

Alignment With India’s Long-Term Energy Goals

The high-level engagement reflects the shared commitment of India and the Netherlands to advance deployment-oriented innovation in green hydrogen. The initiatives are closely aligned with India’s National Green Hydrogen Mission, Energy Independence 2047 vision and Net-Zero 2070 targets.

Officials said such partnerships will play a crucial role in strengthening India’s clean energy ecosystem, enhancing research depth, and supporting the transition toward a low-carbon and energy-secure future.