Speaking at an event in New Delhi, India on Tuesday 15 November the UK Universities and Science Minister David Willetts highlighted the pivotal role RCUK India has played in developing an impressive UK-India research portfolio. The event was hosted by the British High Commissioner to India Sir Richard Stagg to mark achievements made by the UK and India as partners in education, science and research.
Since its launch in 2008, RCUK India has facilitated joint research collaboration between the UK, India and third parties to the value of over £80 million compared with £1 million in 2008. A timeline detailing RCUK India activities over the last three years has also been published and is available here 
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Three new research initiatives between the Research Councils and India were also announced:
- Changing Water Cycle programme: A total of £4.7 million in joint funding has been awarded by the UK’s Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) and India’s Ministry of Earth Sciences (MOES) for research into the pattern of changing water cycles in South Asia. The five UK-India projects funded under this programme range from understanding the dynamics of groundwater systems, improved irrigation water management, rainfall patterns and how they affect ecosystems.
- Bioenergy: The UK Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) and the Indian Government Department of Biotechnology (DBT) have agreed to jointly fund a £10 million call for sustainable bioenergy research. The call will support collaborative science which aims to solve shared problems in the production and processing of plants and algae for bioenergy, research that could help both nations develop sustainable alternatives to fossil fuels.
- Professor Paul Boyle, Chief Executive of the Economic & Social Research Council (ESRC) and Rob Lynes, British Council’s Director in India, on behalf of UKIERI, signed a statement of intent to work together towards a new PhD partnering initiative between the UK and India. Funding for this initiative will be provided by ESRC and UKIERI.
In a closing address at the event, Dr T Ramasami, Secretary to the Government of India’s Department of Science and Technology, applauded the successes of the RCUK-India research relationship and highlighted the mutual trust that this highly successful partnership was based on.
RCUK India is now actively involved in significant co-funded activities with seven different Indian research funders, working together on a wide array of research themes helping to address global challenges such as energy and climate change to social sciences, healthcare and life sciences.
Sir Richard Stagg (far left) British High Commissioner to India who hosted the event with (L-R) Kapil Sibal Indian Minister for Human Resource Development, David Willets UK Universities and Science Minister, Dr Alicia Greated Director of RCUK India, Prof. Paul Boyle Chief Executive of the ESRC, Rob Lynes Director of the British Council in India and Sally Goggin Head of UKIERI.
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Further information
Contact:
Jane Wakefield
RCUK Press and Communications Manager
Tel: 01793 444592
Notes to editors
RCUK India was established in 2008 with an aim to bring about a step change in research partnerships between the two countries and make it easier for the best researchers in the UK and India to develop high-quality, high impact research partnerships.
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Research Councils UK (RCUK) is the strategic partnership of the UK's seven Research Councils who annually invest around £3 billion in research. We support excellent research, as judged by peer review, that has an impact on the growth, prosperity and wellbeing of the UK. To maintain the UK’s global research position we offer a diverse range of funding opportunities, foster international collaborations and provide access to the best facilities and infrastructure around the world. We also support the training and career development of researchers and work with them to inspire young people and engage the wider public with research. To maximise the impact of research on economic growth and societal wellbeing we work in partnership with other research funders including the Technology Strategy Board, the UK Higher Education Funding Councils, business, government, and charitable organisations. www.rcuk.ac.uk.
The seven UK Research Councils are:
- Arts & Humanities Research Council (AHRC);
- Biotechnology & Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC);
- Economic & Social Research Council (ESRC);
- Engineering & Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC);
- Medical Research Council (MRC);
- Natural Environment Research Council (NERC);
- Science & Technology Facilities Council (STFC).