Building on the success of phase one of the UK- India Education and Research Initiative (UKIERI), the programme has been extended for five years from 2011-2016. Colleagues collaborating with institutions in India are encouraged to investigate possibilities for funding.

Programme priorities

Phase Two of UKIERI was announced by Prime Minister David Cameron and Indian Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh in July 2010. This phase is being jointly funded by the Indian and UK governments.

The main activities under the phase two of UKIERI have been identified based on the experience of phase one, which demonstrated a need for more focus on both leadership and harmonisation/mobility as enablers of increased levels of collaboration. Innovation partnerships remain a strategic priority for both countries in their plans for economic development.

This second phase of UKIERI is therefore comprised of four strands covering:

1. Leadership Development (not due to re-open until 2013)
2. Innovation Partnerships
3. Skill Development
4. Enhancing Mobility

Warwick and UKIERI

The areas likely to be of most interest to Warwick colleagues fall under Strand 2 of the current phase of UKIERI - Innovation Partnerships.

• UGC Thematic Partnerships, deadline 15 March 2012 (open to all subject areas)
• DST Thematic Partnerships, deadline 15 March 2012 (limited to 5 key subject areas):

1. Stem Cell Research and Animal Biotechnology
2. Next Generation Networks in Telecommunication
3. Advanced Materials including Nanotechnology
4. Weather Science and Climate Change
5. New Energy Technologies including Hydrogen

• Trilateral Partnership in Research, deadline 13 April 2012 (open to all subject areas).

Colleagues should also consider the India UK staff exchange programme (deadline 15 March 2012) under strand 4 of the scheme ('Enhancing Mobility').

Warwick made 3 successful bids in Round 1 of UKIERI-2; one under the 'Innovation Partnerships' strand and two under the 'Enhancing Mobility' strand.

Applying

UKIERI limits the number of bids that can be submitted by an institution under each of the strands. Applications are made direct to UKIERI and the process can vary depending on which strand you are applying to.

The International Office is therefore continuing to act as a central point of contact with UKIERI, and has a dedicated web page to provide more information.