The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has launched its 1st joint call for proposals through its collaboration with the National Science Foundation (NSF), an official release stated on Monday, August 21. This collaboration was formalized through an Implementation Arrangement (IA) signed in May 2023, aimed at fostering research cooperation.
The NSF functions as an autonomous entity within the US federal government, providing backing for fundamental research and educational endeavors across various non-medical fields of scientific and engineering.
The joint effort between MeitY and NSF aims to promote advancements and breakthroughs in fields of shared interest, as outlined in the joint statement issued by the governments of India and the United States during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the US in June 2023.
Under the 1st Joint Call, proposals encompassing several domains such as semiconductor research, next-generation communication technologies/networks/systems, cyber-security, sustainability and green technologies, as well as Intelligent Transportation Systems, will be under consideration.
The process of submitting proposals has commenced from August 21, 2023, with the final deadline for submissions being January 5, 2024. This collaborative initiative aims to facilitate technological advancement, which could range from creating prototypes and conducting pilot-scale demonstrations to implementing solutions in the field and expediting technology transfer.
The proposing teams of US and India investigators are strongly encouraged to actively cultivate suitable collaborations with test bed providers, local communities, and industry partners. This strategic approach is essential to ensure the availability of necessary resources and expertise, ultimately contributing to the successful execution of their projects.
Alkesh Kumar Sharma, Secretary of MeitY, and Dr. Panchanathan, Director of NSF, made the announcement in the presence of Bhuvnesh Kumar, Additional Secretary of MeitY, and other senior officials from MeitY, NSF, and the U.S. Embassy.