Australia-India Strategic Research Fund: Collaborative Research Projects (Round 16) – Australia

Areas of Research

• Your project must be in a priority area, the priority areas for Australia-India Strategic Research Fund Round 16 are:
  • Indo-Australian Science and Technology Fund (administered by the Department of Science and Technology (DST) in India):
    • critical minerals processing technologies and methods
    • quantum computing and communications
    • remanufacturing and product end-of-use recovery including electronic waste recycling.
  • Indo-Australian Biotechnology Fund (administered by the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) in India):
    • biomanufacturing for industrial and consumer products, including biochemicals, biofuels and novel bio-based materials
    • biotechnology for improved agricultural productivity and climate resilience (including food security or renewable feedstocks)
    • RNA vaccines and biotherapeutics (immunotherapy).

Objectives

• The objectives of the program are to:
  • strengthen strategic alliances between Australian and Indian researchers
  • facilitate Australia and India’s access to the global science and technology system
  • positively impact the participation of women in scientific research and technology projects.

Funding Information

• For this grant opportunity $4 million is available from 2025-26 to 2028-29:
  • The minimum grant amount is $200,000.
  • The maximum grant amount is $1,000,000.
• Duration: The maximum project period is 3 years.

Expected Outcomes

• The intended outcomes of the program are:
  • greater profile and reputational gains for Australian and Indian science, research and innovation capabilities in each other’s country and globally
  • stronger links between Australian and Indian research and business communities to grow long-term collaboration
  • an opportunity for any postgraduate students involved in the project to spend time in the other country and work with collaborating researchers to help form lifelong networks and build on institutional links
  • enhancement of Australia’s reputation as a destination of choice for Indian tertiary students
  • strengthening and deepening of the bilateral diplomatic relationship and strategic partnership.

Eligibility Criteria

• To be eligible you must:
  • have an Australian Business Number (ABN) and be one of the following entities:
    • an incorporated not for profit organisation
    • a publicly funded research organisation (PFRO)
    • an incorporated trustee on behalf of a trust
    • an Australian State/Territory Government agency or body
    • an entity, incorporated in Australia.
• They can only accept applications:
  • that have a primary Indian partner who has submitted, or is in the process of submitting, a corresponding application to India’s DST or DBT
  • which include all mandatory attachments.

Ineligibility Criteria

• You are not eligible to apply if you are:
  • an organisation, or your project partner is an organisation, included on the National Redress Scheme’s website on the list of ‘Institutions that have not joined or signified their intent to join the Scheme’
  • an employer of 100 or more employees that has not complied with the Workplace Gender Equality Act (2012).

For more information, visit Australian Government.