Under the updated India Economic Strategy (IES) released in 2022, CSIRO and India have made a commitment to draw on complementary capabilities and resource to solve shared global challenges.
By combining efforts and expertise, the partnerships aim to fast-track cutting edge research and technology to create impact for Australia and the world.
The partnerships are the:
- India-Australia Innovation and Technology Challenge.
- India-Australia Critical Minerals Research Partnership.
- India-Australia Green Steel Partnership.
India Australia Innovation and Technology Challenge (IA-ITC)
The India Australia Innovation and Technology Challenge (IA-ITC) is an exciting and unique bilateral innovation program that will support Indian and Australian entrepreneurs and SMEs on their commercialisation pathways to launch innovative technology solutions to market that tackle our shared national challenges and priorities – such as the circular economy, the energy transition and food system resilience.
A partnership between CSIRO and Atal Innovation Mission (AIM), and supported by the Australian and Indian Governments.
A Letter of Intent (LoI) has been signed between CSIRO and AIM. The partners are now working on the design and development of the IA-ITC program delivery model to ensure the IA-ITC is sustainable, innovative, impactful and aligns with the interests of the Australia and India. The partners are aiming to launch the program in July 2023.
India-Australia Critical Minerals Research Partnership
The India-Australia Critical Minerals Research Partnership (IACMRP) will work with Indian and Australian researchers, industry and government to deliver a range of projects over a 3.5-year period that aims to unlock commercial benefits of commencing, improving and integrating Indian and Australian critical minerals value chains.
India-Australia Green Steel Partnership
The India-Australia Green Steel Partnership (IAGSP) will deliver a range of research, technology and commercialisation projects over a 3.5-year period that aim to accelerate the decarbonisation of the iron-steel value chain in India and Australia.
These Partnerships have gained momentum and the India-Australia Minerals Scholars Network has been identified as a specific initiative that sits under both the IACMRP and IAGSP partnerships.
India-Australia Minerals Scholars Network
The India-Australia Minerals Scholars Network (the Scholars Network) will focus on enhancing Green Steel and Critical Minerals capabilities and connections. It is intended to be a 3.5-year initiative co-funded by the India-Australia Green Steel Partnership (IAGSP) and the India-Australia Critical Minerals Research Partnership (IACMRP).
Decarbonisation of iron and steelmaking processes and supporting the development of critical minerals industry are vital to both the Australian and Indian economies. The development of scientific talent is crucial for long-term social and economic prosperity. Partnering with India on capability development will build a pipeline of talent to meet the growing global demand for steel and critical minerals.
The Scholars Network:
- aims to build capability, best practice exchange, and develop deep enduring relationships between a focused number of education and R&D institutions in both countries.
- is intended to support PhD sponsorship in both India and Australia, annual technical symposiums and student/researcher exchanges (the program would look to support research and strategic partnerships and networks in the green steel and critical minerals sectors involving research, industry and government).
- contributes towards both countries national priorities around supply chain security and decarbonising the economy.