Australia-India Strategic Research Fund (AISRF) Fact Sheet 

Key Points

• India and Australia are building a broad knowledge partnership, ranging from developing collaborative projects in education to conducting joint research in many fields. Science and technology cooperation is a critical part of this partnership.
• The AISRF was established in 2006 with an initial commitment of $20 million in Australian funding over five years and matching funding from the Indian Government.
• In 2009, the Fund was significantly expanded, with the Australian contribution rising to $50 million over five years commencing in 2009-10.  Matching funding is being provided by India.
• The AISRF facilitates and supports science and technology (S&T) research cooperation between Australia and India by assisting Australian researchers to participate in leading edge scientific research with Indian scientists and supporting the development of strategic alliances between Australian and Indian researchers.
• Following the 2009 expansion, the Fund will comprise four components:
1. Indo-Australian S&T Fund;
2. Indo-Australian Biotechnology Fund;
3. Grand Challenge Fund; and
4. Researcher exchange program.
• The AISRF Grand Challenge component supports collaborative research that will help deliver practical solutions to some of the complex problems that both countries face in areas of food and water security, energy, health and the environment.
• Australian and Indian scientists have responded enthusiastically to the AISRF, which has attracted approximately 150 applications in each round, seeking total funds in excess of $300 million.
• Round One of the competitive components provided $4.5 million worth of Australian funding for 20 projects.  Investment of over $4 million was provided by the Australian Government for 15 projects under Round Two with a similar amount of funding allocated for a further 15 projects under Round Three.  Additionally, four large-scale projects and a workshop have been supported under the Targeted Allocations component of the AISRF.
• Round 4 of the Indo-Australian Biotechnology Fund was announced by Minister Carr on 10 May 2010.  The Australian Government awarded over $2.4 million to 8 collaborative research projects in the areas of transgenic crops, vaccines and medical diagnostics, bioremediation, bioenergy and biofuels; and nutraceuticals and functional foods.
• The most recent successful projects (Round 4 of the Indo-Australian S&T Fund) were announced on 28 June 2010.  Nine collaborative research projects were awarded a total of $2.7 million to support cutting edge research in priority areas ranging from agricultural research to micro-electronic devices and materials.
• Details of all successful applications funded under the AISRF can be found on the AISRF website.

Facts and Figures

AISRF Rounds

Targeted Allocations