The growing economic bond between Australia and India is underlined by a program linking partners from both nations in joint research. 

Applications for the Australia-India Strategic Research Fund (AISRF) grants open on November 28, with a total of $4 million up for grabs.

Minister for Industry, Science and Technology Karen Andrews said the grants were designed to help the researchers solve challenges shared by both nations.

“I am delighted to announce the opening of these grants during the first state visit to our country by an Indian president this week. President Ram Nath Kovind’s visit is an excellent opportunity to highlight the strength of our relationship.

“Since 2013 the Coalition Government has provided $20.2 million in grants under this program, Australia’s largest bilateral science fund,” Minister Andrews said.

“A further $10 million over four years was allocated to the fund in this year’s Budget.

“As recognised in the India Economic Strategy presented to Government earlier this year, the AISRF is an important and highly successful element of the bilateral partnership between Australia and India.”

This funding round is expected to support eight projects, with $500,000 grants being offered for up to three years to each Australian grant recipient. The Indian Government will support the Indian partners in the projects.

Applications are invited in these priority areas:

• Energy storage (batteries)
• Marine science
• Plant genomics
• Neurodegenerative disease, including palliative care

“The AISRF has supported projects in a wide range of mutual priority areas, such as agriculture, astronomy and astrophysics, nanotechnology and vaccines,” Minister Andrews said.

“Apart from working together on research projects, the fund also supports early and mid career researcher fellowships and targeted workshops.

“Through the fund the Australian and Indian Governments together have supported more than 300 activities.”

Previous projects have helped develop improved systems of trauma care and rehabilitation and laid the foundations of a “zero waste” novel approach for managing and recycling electronic waste.

Working together on research is also accelerating Australian and Indian efforts to produce a scalable quantum computer, which may ultimately solve complex problems in finance, medicine, weather forecasting and physics.

“This funding allows Australian researchers to work with counterparts in India who have complementary expertise,” Minister Andrews said.

The Coalition recognises the importance of the Australia-India Strategic Research Fund to Australia’s economy and to jobs of the future - that’s why we are investing in growing our technology, science and research capabilities.

For more information on the AISRF, visit www.business.gov.au/AISRF

Media contact: Minister Andrews' office 02 6277 7070