From politics to higher education, science and technology, UK – India relationships are currently making headlines. What about research and innovation (R&I)?

The UK and India have a long and rich history of scientific collaboration. In recent years this collaboration has intensified, with both countries investing heavily in research and development. This investment has paid off, with the UK and India now ranked among the top 10 countries in the world for scientific output.

As revealed in its latest STI policy, India has set great ambitions for the present decade, aiming to accelerate R&I in the country, to achieve technological self-reliance and to become one of the top three scientific superpowers in specific priority areas. India’s current R&I priorities are in the sectors facing major challenges, namely: healthcare, agriculture, energy, water, and education. Furthermore, India is also focusing on R&I in space, defence, and climate change. 

Last week, the UK and India strengthened their ties with regards to science and technology, discussing and agreeing on new R&I actions for the benefit of both nations (read more here). Moreover, at the end of April 2023, UK science minister George Freeman and Indian minister of state for science and technology Jitendra Singh signed a memorandum of understanding on R&I, committing to collaborate on tackling global challenges (press release here). 

The budget for this initiative is £16 million from UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) and matched funding from the Government of India. The funds will be distributed through four joint programmes, two of them being now open for applications:

·         Industrial Collaborative R&D (Innovate UK – £5 mill from UK)

·         India-UK partnership to address farmed animal diseases and health (ISPF – £5 mill from UK)

·         STFC/DAE Technology and Skills Programme (ISPF – £3.3 mill from UK)

·         Solid Earth Hazards (UKRI – £3 mill from UK)

In addition to these funding opportunities, the British Council has just announced the annual call for its Going Global Partnerships programme, namely The Industry Academia Collaborative Grant.

Continue reading about India’s R&I landscape and other funding opportunities for international R&I on the RIS Intranet page here and here.