Australian High Commission
New Delhi
India, Bhutan

Science and Technology

Science and technology

Australia has a rich tradition of achievement in science, technology and innovation, with 12 Nobel Prize laureates in natural sciences for discoveries including penicillin, the expansion of the Universe and the bionic ear.

The Department of Industry, Innovation and Science is the lead government department for science, technology and innovation in Australia. Visit: http://www.science.gov.au/   

Australia – India science and technology relationship

Formal cooperation in science and technology between Australia and India began in 1986 with the signing of an agreement by the two Governments. A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Indian Department of Science and Technology was signed in 2003, replacing an original MOU signed in 1996. A MoU with the Indian Department of Biotechnology was signed in 2006, supporting joint funding of activities. In 2011, this MoU was extended for a further five years until 2016.

Australia India Strategic Research Fund

The Australia-India Strategic Research Fund (AISRF) helps Australian researchers from public and private sectors to participate with Indian scientists in leading-edge scientific research projects and workshops.

The Australia-India Strategic Research Fund (AISRF) is jointly administered and funded by the governments of Australia and India. Since its inception in 2006, the AISRF has supported over 230 joint projects, workshops and fellowships in key areas of priority to Australia and India, involving some 100 top universities and research institutes in both countries. The $20 million extension for the AISRF announced in September 2014 is a testament to the success and importance of this fund between our two countries and its potential to drive science and industry forward together. This extension will mean that the AISRF remains Australia’s largest fund dedicated to bilateral research and increases the total commitment from the Australian Government to $84 million.

More information on the AISRF, including how to apply, is available at: http://www.science.gov.au/international/CollaborativeOpportunities/AISRF
(Australian applicants)

http://dst.gov.inand http://dbtindia.nic.in/index.asp (Indian applicants)

Australian organisations supporting science cooperation:

Australian Academy of Science: www.science.org.au
Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering: www.atse.org.au
Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research: www.aciar.gov.au  
Australian Government science website: www.science.gov.au
Australian Institute of Marine Science: www.aims.gov.au  
Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation: www.ansto.gov.au
Australian Research Council: www.arc.gov.au
Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation: www.csiro.au