Published: 5 February 2026DST / DD News / IBEF / University of GroningenScience & Technology
India-Netherlands Hydrogen Fellowship Programme Launched by DST; MoU Signed with University of Groningen and 19 IITs
On February 6, 2026, the Secretary of the Department of Science and Technology (DST) launched the India-Netherlands Hydrogen Fellowship Programme in New Delhi. The launch was accompanied by the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the University of Groningen, Netherlands, and 19 Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) to establish a formal academic cooperation framework in green energy and hydrogen research.
The fellowship programme is a national capacity-building initiative open to Indian PhD scholars, postdoctoral researchers, and faculty members across Indian institutions. The programme opened for applications on February 6, 2026, with a closing date of March 6, 2026. Selected fellows will spend 12 months at the University of Groningen for co-supervised doctoral or postdoctoral research, with funding provided jointly by DST and the University of Groningen.
The programme focuses on system integration, safety, techno-economic analysis, life-cycle assessment, and indigenisation pathways for hydrogen technologies. It strengthens India's National Green Hydrogen Mission (NGHM), which aims to make India a global hub for the production and export of green hydrogen by 2030, targeting 5 MMTPA (million metric tonnes per annum) of domestic production and green hydrogen exports worth $1 billion. The programme is significant for Rajasthan, which has been designated one of the lead states under the NGHM for its high solar irradiation potential conducive to green hydrogen production via electrolysis.
Mains angle
Q: How does the India-Netherlands Hydrogen Fellowship Programme contribute to India's National Green Hydrogen Mission and its 2030 production targets?
Answer (50 words):
Launched on February 6, 2026, this DST initiative partners the University of Groningen with 19 IITs for co-supervised hydrogen research. By building capacity in system integration, safety analysis, and indigenisation pathways, the programme directly supports the National Green Hydrogen Mission's target of 5 MMT per annum domestic production by 2030.
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CoverageInternationalSubjectScience & TechnologyExamBasic Computer Instructor · CET Graduation · CET Senior Secondary · EO/RO · LDC · Mahila Supervisor · Patwar · PTI · RAS · REET · RPSC SI · School Lecturer · Senior Computer Instructor · Senior Teacher · UPSC · Vanpal · BothSourceDST / DD News / IBEF / University of Groningen
Practice MCQ from this story
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Linked questionMedium
The India-Netherlands Hydrogen Fellowship Programme was launched by which Indian department?
Explanation · Correct answer BThe Department of Science and Technology (DST) launched the India-Netherlands Hydrogen Fellowship Programme with MoU signed with the University of Groningen and 19 IITs.
Frequently asked questions
When was the India-Netherlands Hydrogen Fellowship Programme launched and by which ministry?
The India-Netherlands Hydrogen Fellowship Programme was launched on February 6, 2026 by the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India.
Which institutions signed the MoU under this fellowship programme?
An MoU was signed between the University of Groningen (Netherlands) and 19 IITs in India for collaborative green hydrogen research and fellowship exchanges.
What is India's target under the National Green Hydrogen Mission by 2030?
India targets producing 5 Million Metric Tonnes Per Annum (MMTPA) of green hydrogen and achieving $1 billion in green hydrogen exports by 2030 under the National Green Hydrogen Mission.
What areas of research will the fellowship focus on?
The fellowship enables joint research between Indian and Dutch scientists on hydrogen production, storage, and various end-use applications including fuel cells and industrial processes.
What is the significance of India-Netherlands cooperation in clean energy?
The collaboration leverages the Netherlands' expertise in hydrogen technology and India's scale, strengthening bilateral ties in clean energy innovation and supporting India's energy transition goals.
