A total of 48 researchers from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Thailand have been recommended for the award of India Science and Research Fellowship (ISRF) this year. Applications are supported in various areas such as Life Sciences, Veterinary Science, Fisheries, Medicine, Agriculture, Geology, Chemistry, Mathematics, Computer Science, and Engineering under ISRF) Programme for researchers from the neighbouring countries to work in Indian Universities and Research Institutions.

As a part of India’s initiatives to engage with our neighbouring countries to develop S&T partnerships, Department of Science and Technology (DST), Govt. of India has implemented the (ISRF) Programme for Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Thailand researchers to work in Indian Universities and Research Institutions since 2015.

“DST is privileged to extend opportunities to young researchers to neighbouring countries as part of empowering them through S & T interventions. This also fulfils the science for diplomacy in larger interests of the nation”, said Dr. S. Chandrasekhar, Secretary DST, while announcing results of this year awards of India Science & Research Fellowships (ISRF).

ISRF programme has provided an opportunity to the young researchers from neighbouring countries to get access to the state of art facilities available in the Indian institutes/ universities.

India is keen to enter into partnerships with its neighboring countries to foster closer scientific and technological collaboration through human capacity building in advanced areas of research and development, this fellowship remains a platform to establish research cooperation with neighboring countries of India.

About 168 fellows from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Thailand have been awarded fellowships under this programme. A number of quality research papers have been published by awardees, and the awardees have also participated in various conferences/symposiums of their relevant fields. The awardees are availing the fellowships at various Indian Institutes.

Under the current ISRF Call, a total of 76 applications were received from researchers of Afghanistan, Thailand, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal and Sri Lanka, which were reviewed by a Panel of Experts. Based on research proposal, experience, academic merit and publication record,

Mr SK Varshney, Adviser & Head, International Cooperation Division, Department of Science & Technology, said that the awardees are being encouraged to have virtual interaction with their host Indian institutes and host scientists until they join in person.