Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh Unveils Results of the 15th Round of Australia-India Strategic Research Fund

New Delhi: Dr. Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology, Earth Sciences, and other departments, unveiled the results of the 15th round of the Australia-India Strategic Research Fund (AISRF). The announcement, made through a press note, highlighted the successful projects awarded funding under this prestigious bilateral program.

The AISRF, a collaborative initiative between Australia and India, supports joint research projects aimed at strengthening scientific ties and addressing common challenges. This year’s funding round saw five projects selected across various cutting-edge disciplines, including artificial intelligence and machine learning, biotechnology, urban mining and electronic waste recycling, ultralow-cost solar, and clean hydrogen technologies.

The selected projects underwent a rigorous evaluation process, ensuring they met the highest standards of scientific excellence and had the potential for significant impact. These initiatives reflect the diverse and innovative research being conducted by scientists in both countries and are expected to yield valuable insights and solutions that will benefit not only Australia and India but the global community.

Dr. Jitendra Singh emphasized the importance of international collaboration in research and innovation, stating, “Collaboration is crucial in this modern era to address critical global challenges and foster sustainable development. The AISRF is a testament to the enduring partnership between India and Australia. I am confident that these collaborative projects will lead to significant scientific discoveries and technological advancements in areas of mutual interest. While reinforcing our commitment to building a vibrant innovation ecosystem with Australia, I congratulate all the researchers involved in these projects for a prosperous and sustainable future.”

Ed Husic, Australia’s Minister for Industry and Science, echoed these sentiments, adding, “The world isn’t short of complex issues, and collaboration between nations plays an essential role in delivering scientific breakthroughs that will make a difference. From tougher strains of bacteria to e-waste and AI, our bilateral research partnership brings together Australia’s brightest minds to create better solutions for the world’s ongoing and emerging challenges. The AISRF has delivered more than 360 collaborative research projects over the past 18 years, ensuring our nation’s universities and research institutions remain at the forefront of global research.”