Australia-India Strategic Research Fund

Why in News:-

• Union Minister of State for Science and Technology (Independent Charge) unveiled the results of the 15th round of the Australia-India Strategic Research Fund (AISRF).

What is Australia-India Strategic Research Fund (AISRF)?

• The Australia-India Strategic Research Fund (AISRF) is a bilateral program that supports collaborative research projects between Australia and India.
• The Australia-India Strategic Research Fund (AISRF) was established in 2006.
• Its primary objective is strengthening scientific ties between the two countries and addressing common challenges through joint research efforts.

2006-2010: Initial phase: Initiation of bilateral research collaboration in various scientific and technological projects. First phase: Supported projects in science, technology, and medicine. 2010-2015: Identifying and funding new projects to enhance collaboration between scientists of the two countries. Key achievements: Significant research and development in areas such as energy, health, agriculture, and environment. 2015-2020: Specific focus areas: Emphasis on emerging areas such as artificial intelligence, new energy technologies, and environmental sustainability. 2020-2023: Contribution to health and medical research during the COVID-19 pandemic. Expansion of research projects in new areas of innovation and technological advancement.

 

Funding Focus Areas for 2024

Selected Projects for 2024

• AISRF has awarded funding to five projects across various themes, including

Themes and Projects

• Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning: Creating an AI-powered platform for monitoring soil carbon sequestration.
• Biotechnology: Harnessing the power of the immune system to combat antimicrobial resistance.
• Advanced diagnostics and innovative therapies to detect and combat microbial infections.
• Urban Mining and Electronic Waste Recycling: Environmentally friendly recovery of essential metals from obsolete mobile devices.
• Clean Energy Technologies: Cost-effective solar thermal desalination by system design with nanomaterials.
• Solar Thermal Desalination: Designing cost-effective systems using nanomaterials to provide clean water through solar thermal desalination.

Key Features

• Bilateral Collaboration: AISRF is jointly managed and funded by the governments of India and Australia, reflecting a shared commitment to advancing scientific research.
• Strategic Focus: Projects supported by AISRF are strategically focused on areas of mutual interest and benefit, ensuring relevance and impact.
• Global Integration: By facilitating access to the global science and technology system, AISRF helps integrate Indian and Australian researchers into the broader international scientific community.

Significance:-

• AISRF enhances scientific partnerships between Australia and India, fostering closer ties and mutual understanding.
• Through collaborative research, AISRF addresses common challenges faced by both countries, such as energy sustainability and technological advancement.
• By supporting leading-edge research, AISRF promotes innovation and the development of new technologies that can have wide-reaching benefits.

Outcome:-

• The Australia-India Strategic Research Fund has delivered over 360 collaborative research projects over the past 18 years, ensuring that our country’s universities and research institutions remain at the forefront of global research.”