India-Canada to foster joint R&D projects in biotech, health research, medical devices

India-Canada to foster joint R&D projects in biotech, health research, medical devices


Under the Canada-India agreement for scientific and technological cooperation, India and Canada will soon foster joint research and development (R&D) projects in areas of biotechnology, health research, pharmaceuticals, medical devices and nanotechnology as it applies to these sectors.

The key objectives of this joint programme are to encourage domestic competitiveness through the transfer of technology and knowledge resulting from international S&T partnerships; to foster international S&T partnerships and collaborative research with an emphasis on industrial outcomes; to accelerate the commercialization of R&D that would benefit Canada and the partner country, through international partnerships, with a focus on small and medium-sized enterprises; to access international technologies for Canadian enterprises; to promote Canadian R&D capacity and Canada as a destination for foreign technology-based investments; to encourage the mobility of researchers and to promote Canada as a career destination for foreign researchers and highly qualified personnel; and to strengthen overall bilateral S&T relations.

The Department of Biotechnology (DBT) will be the implementing organization on the Indian side, while the International Science and Technology Partnerships Canada (ISTPCanada), a non-governmental organization will be implementing the project on the Canadian side.

This Canada-India programme aims to foster and support the development of collaborative R&D projects that bring together companies, research organizations, academics and other collaborators from both countries for the joint development of innovative products or processes. It aims to stimulate innovative R&D projects (engaging small-to-medium-sized companies and/or larger, well established firms) that address a specific market need or challenge; demonstrate high industrial relevance and commercial potential; and aim to deliver benefit to all participants, and more broadly, to both nations. These projects help participants to become more competitive by developing global research-based alliances with the potential to foster increased or expanded international R&D collaboration.

Eligible Indian applicants for this programme include researchers and managers of Indian companies, academic institutions, research hospitals or other R&D institutions (including not-for-profit research institutes recognized by DBT) that are headquartered and operate in India.

Eligible Canadian applicants must be researchers or managers of for-profit companies that operate and are headquartered in Canada. Canadian subsidiaries of companies headquartered outside of Canada are typically not eligible for support. However, as ‘benefit to Canada’ is a key objective and among the most important selection criteria, ISTPCanada may grant an exception to such subsidiaries if they have R&D facilities in Canada and can demonstrate that Canada will accrue clear economic benefit from the bilateral R&D project. Academic institutions, research hospitals, other institutes or research associations are strongly encouraged to participate in the projects as co-investigators.

Each proposal must include an eligible lead from Canada and India. Although it is not mandatory, projects that engage a technology developer and a technology end-user/first customer are strongly encouraged.