Collaborating with India on science and research

The Australia-India Strategic Research Fund (AISRF) supports scientists in India and Australia to collaborate on leading-edge research.

Priority areas of research

The fund has supported research collaboration across more than 20 different mutual priority areas, including:

• agriculture
• astronomy and astrophysics
• biomedical devices and implants
• clean energy technologies
• food and water security
• information and communication technology
• marine sciences
• nanotechnology
• stem cells and vaccines

The fund can also support new urgent research priorities for both countries, such as responding to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Collaborative research projects

The AISRF links Australian and Indian research institutions together to work on strategically focused, leading-edge scientific research and technology projects.

The projects build research capacity and maximise the application, commercialisation and sustainability of research outcomes, supporting the continued economic growth and development of both nations.

How to apply

Competitive grant rounds are held annually and you may only apply while a round is open.

To find out more about AISRF funding round details and to apply for grants visit Business.gov.au.

See the program guidelines for information about the application process, eligibility criteria and assessments. These guidelines apply to Australian applicants only. Indian applicants should follow guidelines issued by the Indian Government.

Latest round outcomes

To see the successful applicants in the latest round of collaborative research projects, visit Business.gov.au.

Targeted workshops

The workshops bring together leading researchers from Australia and India to focus on key issues of mutual interest or contemporary challenges facing both nations.

They aim to:

• create, promote and strengthen relationships between our nation’s researchers and research institutions
• promote scientific and technological cooperation between Australia and India
• find more areas to collaborate where there's significant potential to mutually benefit from outcomes

Early and mid-career researcher fellowships

High-performing Australian early and mid-career researchers can access funding to travel to India and work with leading researchers at major Indian science and technology organisations. The Indian Government also supports Indian researchers to spend time at Australian institutions. These reciprocal fellowships help to facilitate long-term science, technology and innovation collaboration between our nations.

For application details and to read about previous fellowships to India, see the Australian Academy of Science website.

Read more

• Read about some of the research AISRF has supported in the 10th anniversary booklet
• See a list of project and workshop grant recipients 102KB XLS] [506KB PDF]
• The independent evaluation of the AISRF showed the program is achieving objectives
• For advice on planning and managing a collaboration for success, see our Guide to undertaking international collaboration

Case studies

• Innovative battery technology - storing energy from renewable sources
• Food security using science to protect harvests from insect pests
• Genomic approaches for stress tolerant chickpea
• Nanoengineered autoantigens to prevent and treat autoimmunity
• Planar high-gain antennas to lower costs and improve performance
• New processes for clean burning local fuel
• Integrated technologies for economically sustainable bio-based energy
• Novel approach for processing hazardous electronic waste
• Watch Quantum computing on YouTube
• Watch Trauma care on YouTube
• Watch Fellowships—Better health outcomes
• Watch Fellowships—Improving our waterways
• Watch Fellowships—Innovative energy solutions

Contact us

• Email aisrf@industry.gov.au
• Phone 13 28 46 (8am-8pm, Monday to Friday)
• Indian researchers interested in Australian collaboration should contact the Indian Government Department of Science and Technology and Department of Biotechnology

See also

Australia’s National Science Statement sets a long-term approach to achieving a strong science system