An MoU was signed in this regard between the University Grants Commission and Israel Science Foundation for launching a three-year 'India-Israel Joint Research Program' which would bring together scientists and researchers from two countries to carry forward academic research in these areas.
"India is at the fore-front of research activities worldwide and the collaboration between the two nations would contribute a lot to both the countries," Chairman of Israel Science Foundation, Prof Benjamin Geiger told PTI.
Prof Geiger, who signed the agreement with UGC Chairman Ved Prakash, said there was also a lot of encouragement for Israeli scientists to forge ties with their Indian counterparts in research areas.
The program was initiated during the recent visit of HRD Minister Kapil Sibal to Israel, during which he interacted with Israel's Finance Minister Yuval Steinitz, Education Minister Gideon Sa'ar and Israel's Chairman of the Planning and Budgeting Committee Manuel Trajtenberg.
"Both sides perceive this program as one of the key components of the 20 years celebration of full diplomatic relations between the two countries," said a statement issued by the Israeli Embassy here.
As part of the programme, Israeli and Indian academic teams that aspire to conduct joint research should submit a joint application to their respective funding agencies.
Support would be up to USD 100,000 per research for a period of three years. (More)
