Indian Science and Technology system consists of various ministries, departments, councils and institutes. Major S&T agencies, departments are presented below:
One of the main objective of the Ministry is to encourage international cooperation in the field of education, including working closely with the UNESCO and foreign governments as well as Universities, to enhance the educational opportunities in the country.
The website gives an overview about the functions relating to all aspects of renewable energy and also promotes national and international programmes in renewable energy.
The Indian Renewable Energy Programme has received increased recognition internationally in recent years. Many countries evinced interest in cooperation with India for promotion of new and renewable energy. The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy has been interacting with developed and developing countries for cooperation in New and Renewable Energy. The focus of the interaction for cooperation has been to explore opportunities for exchange of scientists to share experience and for taking up joint research, design, development, demonstration and manufacture of new and renewable energy systems/devices by R&D institutions/organizations of both countries and thereby establishing institutional linkages between institutions of India and other countries. Bilateral/multilateral cooperation frameworks have been established for cooperation.
The following MoUs have been signed with the countries of Europe:
MoU on Indo-Denmark New and Renewable Energy Cooperation between Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, Government of the India and the Ministry of Climate and Energy, Government of the Kingdom of the Denmark.
MoU on Indo-Iceland Renewable Energy Cooperation between the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, Government of India and the Ministry of Industry of the Republic of Iceland.
MoU on Indo-Italian Renewable Energy Cooperation between the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, Government of India and the Ministry for Environment, Land and Sea of Italy.
This site acts as a catalyst for guiding the industry, encouraging exports and creating conducive environment for healthy growth of the food processing industry.
Ministry has hosted several delegations from the countries of Europe. The delegations from Holland, Poland and France have shown interest to collaborate with the ministry. So far, no MoU has been signed but the potential exists.
Department of Electronics and Information Technology (DEITy), Ministry of Communication and Information Technology, Government of India http://deity.gov.in
The website provides information about latest projects and schemes undertaken in R&D under various aspects of information technology including research efforts in electronics and related fields.
DOS is an independent department under central government that informs about the development and applications of space technology and space science for the socio-economic benefits of the nation.
DAE is an independent department under central government. It informs about all the units/labs of atomic energy in India.
Department of Science & Technology (DST), Ministry of Science & Technology http://www.dst.gov.in
DST website gives a detailed overview of the S&T activities in the country, technology development programmes relating to key sectors and development of international cooperation in S&T.
Department of Science & Technology (DST) has bilateral programmes with following countries:
1. Belarus 2. Bulgaria 3. Croatia 4. Cyprus 5. Czech Republic 6. France 7. Germany 8. Estonia 9. Hungary
10. Ice land 11. Italy 12. Kazakhstan 13. Northern Ireland 14. Poland 15. Portugal 16. Russia 17. Romania 18. Serbia
19. Slovak Republic 20. Slovenia 21. Spain 22. Switzerland 23. Turkey 24. Ukraine 25. UK 26. European Union
The collaborations in selected areas of mutual interest with different countries/organisations are materialized through various modes of cooperation like:
Exploratory missions of scientific delegations;
Exchange visits of scientists for collaborative work and information exchange;
Joint workshops;
Fellowships / training / study visits for Indian scientists abroad and foreign scientists in India;
Development and implementation of joint R&D programmes, Joint projects and collaborative R&D programmes;
Support to Indian scientists to access major international research facilities abroad;
and Establishment of Joint Centers of Excellence.
Typically, the areas for calls for proposal are agreed by the two countries. The application in European country (say France) should be submitted to agency coordinating in European country. The DST application should be a hard copy of the European form and attachments submitted; both must include financial and project information for both European country and India parts of the joint project. The costs of the European Institutions are met by European country and those for the Indian partner institutions are met by the DST. The project must be a collaborative project and has to be selected by both countries for funding. Depending on the funds committed, the funds are given for all expenses like manpower, consumables, equipments, contingency and mobility. For mobility, sending country bears the cost of international travel while host country bears the cost of hospitality and per diem. Proposals involving industrial collaborators are welcomed but costs for these partners are either partially shared or not shared.
Bilateral collaboration with European Union
There is a bilateral cooperation agreement between DST and European Union. Thematic areas are decided by the two sides and calls for proposals are given. The collaboration must have 2 organizations from two different countries of Europe and 2 organizations from two separate states of India. Each side spends around 5 million Euro a year. DST funds Indian partners while EC funds European partners.
The new Indigo project brings together 12 research funding and performing agencies in the EU member states and 3 from India (CSIR, DBT, DST) with the aim of promoting research cooperation between Europe and India. It is being funded by the EU's 7th Research Framework Programme
The fellowship is meant for brilliant scientists and engineers from all over the world to take up scientific research positions in India, especially those scientists who want to return to India from abroad. The fellowships are scientist-specific and very selective. The Ramanujan Fellows could work in any of the scientific institutions and universities in the country and they would be eligible for receiving regular research grants through the extramural funding schemes of various S&T agencies of the Government of India.
Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Ministry of Science & Technology, Government of India http://dbtindia.nic.in
DBT website informs on the development of modern biology and biotechnology in India and also about the major R&D projects and several national and international programmes.
The new Indigo project brings together 12 research funding and performing agencies in the EU member states and 3 from India (CSIR, DBT, DST) with the aim of promoting research cooperation between Europe and India. It is being funded by the EU's 7th Research Framework Programme.
The following partners have agreed to open a first call for funding multilateral research projects in the field of biotechnology and health:
Austria - Federal Ministry of Science and Research (BMWF)
France - Ministry of Higher Education and Research (MESR)
Germany - International Bureau of the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF)
Hungary - Hungarian National Office for Research and Technology (NKTH)
India - Department of Biotechnology (DBT)
The Netherlands - Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research (NWO)
Portugal - Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT)
Spain - Association of Industries for Electronic and Information Technologies in the Basque country (GAIA)
Bilateral Programme
The International Cooperation in DBT envisages fostering international linkages in
Biotechnology in order to:
Assist in implementation of national programmes through transfer of knowledge between various countries
Open avenues for interaction in areas leading to acquisition of knowledge available within the country
Building bridges to promote and strengthen bilateral ties through participation in joint R&D programmes
Capacity building in high–tech areas through training and exchange programmes
Share expertise in S&T and large scale facilities with developed and developing nations
Understand the different cultural approaches to scientific research
To add to the economic well being of the country
Currently, DBT has bilateral programmes with the following countries:
The Wellcome Trust/DBT India Alliance is an independent charity registered in India. The India Alliance provides funding opportunities for biomedical researchers at three key career stages.
About the fellowships Fellowships are available for outstanding researchers across the full spectrum of biomedical science, from fundamental molecular and cellular studies through to clinical and public health research. This is also open for science graduates. The scheme is open for Indian as well as foreign researchers. There are 3 types of fellowships:
Early Career Fellowships: For the most promising newly qualified postdoctoral researchers, to help them to make an early start in launching their independent research careers, working in the best laboratories in India and oversees.
Intermediate Fellowships: For high-flying postdoctoral scientists to undertake high-quality research and establish themselves as independent research scientists. Candidates must have made intellectual contributions to their research field.
Senior Fellowships: For outstanding biomedical scientists who have an excellent track record in their field, working in the best research institutions anywhere in the world, and who can demonstrate their ability to carry out independent research.
DSIR acts as a platform to promote research in industry and supports scientific laboratories and facilitates the transfer of technology between various stakeholders.
ICMR has major programmes with France and Germany and minor programmes with other countries.
The application in European country should be submitted to agency coordinating in European country. The Indian organizations submit application to ICMR. Calls for proposal are opened and closed simultaneously in both the countries. The costs of the European Institutions are met by European country and those for the Indian partner institutions are met by the ICMR.
The project must be a collaborative project and has to be selected by both countries for funding. Depending on the funds committed, the funds are given for all expenses like manpower, consumables, equipments, contingency and mobility. For mobility, sending country bears the cost of international travel while host country bears the cost of hospitality and per diem.
Bilateral with European Union
This is similar to collaboration with DBT and DST. Recently, a joint workshop was organized at ICMR wherein topics such as cancer and neuroscience were discussed. Concrete programme may emerge after the meeting on March 10 with EC delegates.
CSIR is a premier industrial autonomous R&D organization. It gives a view on industrial competitiveness, social welfare, strong S&T base for strategic sectors and advancement of fundamental knowledge.
CSIR provides fellowships to around 20 candidates for pursuing their Ph.D and post-doctorate in any of the CSIR labs. The scheme is open to all foreign nationals. The amount of fellowship is Rs.20000 per month.
Bilateral programmes of CSIR
With the R&D organizations not with the countries.
The new Indigo project brings together 12 research funding and performing agencies in the EU member states and 3 from India (CSIR, DBT, DST) with the aim of promoting research cooperation between Europe and India. It is being funded by the EU's 7th Research Framework Programme.
