We use cookies to give you a better experience on our website. Learn more about how we use cookies and how you can select your preferences.
Funding for Australian researchers to collaborate with Indian research partners
Australia-India Strategic Research Fund: Collaborative Research Projects Round 16
This grant opportunity provides Australian researchers with up to $1 million in funding to help them collaborate on projects with Indian science and technology research partners.
Closing date: Friday 11 April 2025 5:00pm AEST Fri 11 Apr 2025 5:00pm AEST
What do you get?
Grants of up to $1 million, to cover up to 100% of eligible expenditure.
Who is this for?
Eligible Australian science and technology researchers.
About the program
The Australia-India Strategic Research fund aims to:
- increase the uptake of leading science and technology by supporting collaboration between Australian and Indian researchers in strategically focused, leading-edge scientific research and technology projects
- 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.
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.
Eligible activities must directly relate to the project and may include:
- joint scientific research projects with Indian partner/s
- application and commercialisation of research outcomes
- exchanges and secondments of personnel between Australia and India
- conferences and workshops
- new research-related information sharing and communication initiatives
- joint traditional research outputs of books, chapters, journal articles and conference publications.
Other activities that are in-line with the objectives and outcomes of the program may also be approved.
Check if you can apply
You can apply if you meet the eligibility criteria. The eligibility criteria are a set of rules that describe who we can consider for this grant. You can apply if you:
- are an eligible entity
- have an eligible project
- have eligible expenditure.
The rules are in the grant opportunity guidelines.
You can apply if you have an Australian business number (ABN) and are one of the following entities:
- an incorporated not for profit organisation
- a publicly funded research organisation (PFRO) as defined in section 14 of the grant opportunity guidelines
- an incorporated trustee on behalf of a trust
- an Australian State/Territory Government agency or body
- an entity, incorporated in Australia.
You can’t apply if you are:
- an organisation, or your project partner is an organisation, included on the National Redress Scheme’s 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)
- not one of the entities listed above.
Partner with other organisations
You can partner with one or more other organisations that also meet the eligibility criteria. But you must decide who the lead organisation is.
The lead organisation must fill out the application form.
If we give your group the grant, the lead organisation:
- signs the grant agreement
- is responsible for making sure your group follows the rules in the grant agreement.
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).
The lead organisation can submit a maximum of two applications but only one application per priority area.
Refer to section 5.2, and Appendices A and B of the grant opportunity guidelines for eligible (and ineligible) expenditure
How to apply
Check if you’re ready to apply for a grant
Finding a suitable grant opportunity is just the start of the process to get funding. The application process can take time and effort. Understanding the entire process will help you be grant ready and may improve your chances of getting funding.
Use our checklist to find out what it takes to apply for a grant.
When you're ready to apply
Apply using our online portal:
- Create or log into your portal account.
- Follow the instructions to complete your application.
- Submit your application before the close date.
Make sure you include enough detail and supporting evidence in your application to help us decide whether to award you the grant.
Don’t submit the application until it’s complete. You can’t correct a mistake.
First we check that you meet the eligibility criteria. Then we assess your application against the assessment criteria.
The assessment criteria are a set of rules that describe how we must assess each application.
We give each criterion a certain number of points.
We’ll decide whether to award you the grant based on the total number of points we give your application.
- Assessment criterion 1: How your project will advance research in priority areas (40 points)
- Assessment criterion 2: Your capacity, capability and resources to deliver the project (30 points)
- Assessment criterion 3: Benefits for both Australia and India (30 points)
The amount of detail and supporting evidence you provide should be relative to the project size, complexity and grant amount requested.
The program delegate makes the final decision.
Apply now
Apply for the Australia-India Strategic Research Fund: Collaborative Research Projects Round 16 grant opportunity now
Before you apply, make sure you:
- read and understand the grant opportunity guidelines, the sample application form and the sample grant agreement.
Sample applications
The best way to understand what information you need to provide is to start an application. We have also provided a version to download at the bottom of this page.
Technical help
See our customer portal's frequently asked questions to help with your queries. If you can't find your answer, contact us for assistance.
If you submit your application before the close date you can’t retrieve it to make changes.
If you find an error in your application after submitting it, you should call us immediately on 13 28 46.
If we find an error or information that is missing, we may ask for clarification or additional information from you that will not change the nature of your application. However, we can refuse to accept any additional information from you that would change your submission after the application closing time.
We can’t consider the application you submit after the close date under any circumstances.
Past rounds
Contact
Need help?
Let us answer your question over the phone, email or live chat.
- Phone:
-
Open Hours:
Monday – Friday, 8am – 8pm across Australia
- Website: