The International Cooperation Division (ICD) of the Department of Science & Technology (DST) is engaged in International Scientific and Technological Affairs including negotiations and implementation of Agreements with international organisations.  

DST has bilateral S&T agreement with more than 70 countries and extensive work has been done with a number of countries. With an objective to  implement more participative and goal oriented programmes for benefiting larger cross section (both Industry and institution), DST has established a dedicated autonomous outfit called Global Innovation and Technology Alliance (GITA) in association with Confederation of Indian Industry (CII). GITA promoted under Public-Private-Partnership mode would be the professional delivery arm for promotion and facilitation of International Technology Programmes of DST. International Cooperation Division of DST will focus on strategy, policy and protocol matters.

India and Canada have signed a bilateral science and technology agreement to encourage, develop and facilitate cooperative activities between the two countries in Science and Technology for peaceful purposes in fields of common interest and and mutual benefit. Within the context of the S&T agreement, Call for Proposals are invited from industry, universities/colleges and research organizations for availing financial support for the following areas:

Partnership Development Activities - activities designed to foster relationships and partnerships leading to the development of collaborative R&D projects and other forms of research collaboration.  These would include scientific seminars, workshops, symposia, conferences and activities that involve exchange programs.

Collaborative R&D Projects - planned research or critical investigation involving product/process development/improvement/ discovery of new knowledge at a commercial scale and leading to social good and benefit to both countries.

The following priority areas have been identified, however, applications in other areas will also be considered:

• Alternate Energy and Sustainable Environmental Technologies
• Biotechnology, Health Research, Medical Devices
• Earth Science and Disaster Management
• Information and Communications Technologies
• Nanoscience/Nanotechnology

International Cooperation Division of DST in coordination with GITA and International Science and Technology Partnerships Canada Inc. (ISTPCanada), a non-governmental organization selected by the Government of Canada will be Implementing Organisations for India and Canada respectively through which funding and other services will be provided to eligible applicants within the framework of the Call.

For more information on the Call for Proposals please visit http://www.gita.org.in/main.html