RUSSIA

Background Information

India and Russia have been cooperating in Science & Technology for a long period. Initially the Science & Technology Cooperation was pursued under the Science & Technology agreement between India and Soviet Union concluded in 1972. Direct interaction between scientists and scientific institutes received a major boost when Integrated Long Term Programme of Cooperation (ILTP) was concluded at the highest level by the then Prime Minister of India and General Secretary of communist party of Soviet Union in 1987. During the 5th session of ILTP Joint Council held in Moscow in 1992, considering that Russia was successor State of USSR, ILTP was termed as Indo-Russian programme. Later, Indo-Soviet S&T agreement (1972) was replaced by a new Agreement on Science & Technology between India and Russia signed in 1994 in Moscow. Considering the benefit of ILTP, the programme was extended up to year 2010 with additional mandate of technology transfer to industry. The two governments have also concluded a Protocol on Protection and Usages of Intellectual Property arising out of Bilateral scientific cooperation

Presently cooperation is implemented through two different mechanisms:

A. Integrated Long Term Programme (ILTP) and

B. Working Group on Science & Technology under Inter Governmental Commission

A. Integrated Long Term Programme (ILTP)

INTRODUCTION

Integrated Long Term Programme (ILTP) of cooperation in Science & Technology with Russia is the biggest and most exhaustive scientific collaboration, India has ever entered into. The programme facilitates bilateral cooperation between the scientific communities of two countries by way of joint research projects, bilateral workshops/seminar, focussed exploratory visits of scientists, visit of thematic scientific and composite (scientific and industrial) delegations. In addition, ILTP Fellowships are provided to the young and experienced Russian researchers (aged 30 to 45) to work in Indian laboratories and industrial units. Duration of fellowship is from four to twelve months. The fellowship carries remuneration of Rs.12,000 per month in addition to free furnished accommodation. International Passage for Moscow-Delhi-Moscow sector is also covered under this scheme. ILTP is now equipped to catalyse technology transfer from the Russian scientific and production institutes to Indian industry.

NODAL IMPLEMENTING AGENCIES

Department of Science & Technology (DST), Government of India, New Delhi and Ministry of Industry, Science and Technology of the Russian Federation jointly with the Russian Academy of Sciences (RAS), Moscow are the nodal implementing agencies from the Indian and Russian sides respectively.

AREAS OF COOPERATION

• Biotechnology and Immunology
• Material Science and Technology
• Laser Science & Technology
• Catalysis
• Space Science & Technology
• Accelerators and their Application
• Hydrology
• Computers & Electronics
• Biomedical Science & Technology
• Oceanology and Oceanic Resources
• Engineering Sciences
• Mathematics
• Theoretical and Applied Mechanics
• Earth Sciences
• Physics & Astrophysics
• Ecology and Environment
• Chemical Sciences
• Life Sciences

ACTIVITIES

• Joint R&D Projects (see point 1)
• Joint Workshop/Exhibition/Seminar (see point 2)
• Exchange visit of scientists (see point 3)
• Bose-Lomonosov Lecture series (see point 4)
• Inter Institutional linkages (see point 5)
• ILTP Fellowship to Russian scientists to work in Indian laboratories (see point 6)
• Organisation of visit of thematic scientific and composite (scientific and industrial) delegations (seepoint 7)
• Establishment of Centres of Excellence (see point 8)
• Transfer of Technology to Indian Industry (see point 9)

WHO CAN PARTICIPATE

From the Indian side, scientists/faculty members working in regular capacity in Universities, national R&D Laboratories/ Institutes, private R&D institutes and industry. From the Russian side, though scientists belonging to the institutes of Russian Academy of Sciences are preferred, this condition is not mandatory. At the time of submitting the proposal, written consent of the collaborating Russian scientist is necessary. For projects in the Thrust areas, it is desirable that at least one user agency is identified who can participate in the project.

PROCESSING OF PROJECT

Joint research projects may be submitted to both the nodal agencies any time in the year. All received proposals are processed by both sides independently and discussed once each year during the Joint Council meeting. On the Indian side, prior to putting a proposal to the Joint Council, it is peer reviewed by independent referees, whose comments are discussed in the meeting of the Project Advisory Committee (PAC). All PAC recommended proposals are processed for various governmental clearances. It usually takes about six months time to process the project for approval from various agencies.

KIND OF SUPPORT AVAILABLE FROM DST

Financial support is available from the respective nodal agency from the two sides. While support in Russia need to be ascertained by the participating Russian scientists at the time of the submission of the project proposal, support for equipment, manpower, consumables and exchange visits is available from DST to the Indian participants belonging to public funded organisations (university, R&D laboratory, etc). Support for the exchange visits is governed by the General & Financial Terms of the ILTP. For scientists belonging to the private sector, support is restricted to local hospitality as part of exchange visit.

FINANCIAL TERMS

As per the agreed financial terms, following support will be available to the scientists during visits to each other countries :

• ü Sending side provides international fare up to the capital city of the host country.
• ü Receiving side provides the following as local hospitality:
  • Free furnished accommodation
  • Per diem to meet boarding and out of pocket expenses.
  • Airport tax
  • Inter-city Travel
  • Picking/Dropping from/to airport. In addition, senior scientists, in the rank of Director may be provided transport for all official meetings/engagements.
  • Services of interpreter for high level meetings.

FURTHER DETAILS

For further details about any specific activity, please contact:

Shri Y.P. KumarAdviser and Head,
International Divn.
Department of Science & Technology
Technology Bhavan,
New Mehrauli Road
New Delhi - 110 016
Telefax: 011-26961912
: [email protected]

Dr VV ShapovalenkoDeputy
HeadForeign relation Department
Russian Academy of Sciences
Tel: (095) 2376958 / 9541116 Fax: (095) 9541097
: [email protected]

Point 1. Joint R&D Projects (see point 1)

Joint R&D projects under ILTP are supported from the Indian side by the Department of Science & Technology. On the Russian side proposals could be supported by the Russian Academy of Sciences or some other agencies which could commit financial support to the project on the Russian side.

Scientists on two sides are expected to submit identical proposals to both DST and the appropriate Russian agency. All receipt proposals are refereed and their comments are discussed in the meeting of Project Advisory Committee on the Indian side. Projects are approved for inclusion and implementation after recommendation of bi-national ILTP Joint Council. Detailed guidelines and project format could be requested at [email protected] or [email protected] on the Indian side and [email protected] on the Russian side.

Point 2. Joint Workshop/Exhibition/Seminar

In order to identify new projects and encourage interaction between scientists and entrepreneurs for promotion of technology transfer, joint Indo-Russian workshops / exhibitions/ seminars are supported. For workshops in India, DST provides local hospitality to the Russian participants; limited TA/DA support to the Indian participants and limited organizational expenses. Vice versa arrangements are made for such events in Russia. Detailed guidelines and project format could be requested at [email protected] or [email protected] on the Indian side and [email protected] on the Russian side.

Point 3. Exchange visit of scientists

Exchange visits of scientists; specialists are supported in project mode, as well as in exploratory mode to develop new joint projects or to participate in a bilateral activity as per the financial terms of the programme.

Point 4. Bose-Lomonosov Lecture series

Lecture under Bose-Lomonosov series are delivered by eminent scientists in each other’s countries. One nomination of scientist for delivering lecture under the series is done by the Department of Science & Technology or Russian Academy of Sciences each year. The nominated scientist is paid an honorarium of US $ 1000 (US dollar one thousand) for delivering the lecture.

Point 5. Inter Institutional linkages

Inter-institution linkages between Indian and Russian institutes, working in roughly same areas, are encouraged under ILTP. Under this scheme, exchange visit support, as per ILTP financial terms, is extended to the participating institutes.

Point 6. ILTP Fellowship to Russian scientists to work in Indian laboratories

A strong need has been felt to rope in young scientists who could be future ambassador for each other. Accordingly, Government of India has come up with a proposal “ILTP Fellowship” where in young Russian scientists could work in Indian laboratories/ universities for short and long term basis.

Who can apply?

Any Russian scientist, in the age group of 30 years and above, holding doctorate degree could apply. He / she has to seek a consent with any Indian scientists working in R&D laboratory or university confirming that a joint work plan has been agreed and the visiting scientists would be provided with office and laboratory accommodation in his/ her group. Proposals in work areas of national priorities would be preferred.

What is the ILTP Fellowship grant:

ILTP Fellowship has been conceived with greater comforts for individuals. International travel from Moscow to place of work in India is taken care of by the Indian side. On arrival, first month fellowship (Rs 12,000/-) is immediately provided. Host Indian organisation arranges for accommodation, cost for which is directly paid to the host organisation by DST. All subsequent payments, for the entire duration of stay, are made through host organization.

How it works?

All applications received for ILTP Fellowship are examined on the merit of the candidate, the proposed joint work and consent of Indian host. It usually takes about 3 months period for processing

Whom to apply?

Take a nomination form through ILTP Secretariat at Department of Science & Technology, New Delhi ([email protected]) or Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow ([email protected] ).

For further details, please contact

Shri SK Varshney,
Scientist,
International Division,
DST,
New Delhi 110016
([email protected])

Point 7. Organisation of visit of thematic scientific and composite (scientific and industrial) delegations

In order to develop joint activities, two sides considers proposals for visit of thematic and composite delegation. Under this scheme, scientists on two sides, are expected to develop a proposal for such visit, which should include experts on the two sides. Financial support, as per ILTP terms, is extended to experts from public funded organizations. For experts from industrial houses, local hospitality in host country is extended. They are, however, expected to meet their own international fare.

Point 8. Establishment of Centres of Excellence

In order to promote, not only research and development in a specified theme, but also to encourage technology transfer and commercialization, two sides facilitate establishment of Indo-Russian Centres of Excellence. So far, 4 centres have been established, namely:

• International Advanced Research Centre for Powder Metallurgy & New Materials, Hyderabad, India
• Bharat Immunologicals & Biologicals Corporation Limited, Bulandshahr, India
• Russian-Indian Centre for Advanced Computing Research, Moscow, Russia
• Indo-Russian Centre for Biotechnology, Allahabad, India

MOUs have been concluded for establishment of the following Centre(s)

• Russian Indian Centre for Ayurvedic Research, Moscow, Russia

MOU(s) for establishment of the following Centre(s) is being negotiated:

• Indo-Russian Centre for Seismic Research, New Delhi, India
• Indo-Russian Centre for Gas Hydrate, Chennai, India
• Indo-Russian Centre for Non-ferrous Metallurgy, Jamshedpur, India
• Indo-Russian Centre for Biomedical Technologies, Thiruvanantpuram and New Delhi, India

Point 9. Transfer of Technology to Indian Industry

With the additional mandate for transfer of technology to industry, ILTP is exploring possibilities with Indian business houses interested in Russian technologies. Limited support is provided for on-site inspection, technology demonstration in India and negotiation with Russian scientific and production institutes.

For further details, please contact

Shri YP Kumar,
Adviser & Head,
International Division,
DST
([email protected])

Some of the important projects taken up under ILTP include:

• Integration of Russian seismic sensors with Indian digital recorders and stationing them at various IMD sites for field observations.
• Installation field trials of a special press for synthesis of WBN-CBN (Boron Nitride) composite cutting tools and successful field trials of products.
• Sensitisation of Indian specialists on the efficacy of Medical Laser Therapy in TB and other chronic diseases.
• Development of streak cameras for visible range and X-ray
• Commissioning of INDUS-I Synchrotron Radiation Sources at Centre for Advanced Technology, Indore
• Organisation of demonstration-cum-sale of two PARAM supercomputers to Institute of Computer Aided Design, Moscow. Development of application software using PARAM for different applications.
• Development of Lasers for Industrial and Medical use.
• Development of porous silicon luminescent devices and detectors
• Superplastic forming of advanced material discs.
• Field testing of TACTICS imaging unit, a 9-pixel camera developed along with pulsed nitrogen laser calibration facility and drive system at Gurushikhar.
• Low Energy Gamma Ray Experimental Payload to be launched on-board Russian Sun-pointing satellite photon.
• Development of 10 MeV Linear Accelerator (LINAC) for industrial radiation application.
• Development of 20 MeV Microton.
• Joint Preliminary design of Light Transport Aircraft SARAS-DUET

b. Working Group on Science & Technology under Inter Governmental Commission

Indo-Russian Working Group for Cooperation in Science & Technology (IRWGS&T) is one of the major Working Groups of Inter - Governmental Commission (IGC) between India and Russia. Cooperation under thematic Sub-Working Groups on Agricultural Research; Biotechnology; Building Materials; Industrial Realisation of High Technologies; Medical Sciences; Meteorology; Metrology, Standardisation & Certification; Oceanology and Seismology as well as major interaction forum ILTP is reported periodically to IGC through IRWGS&T. Cooperation under these various Sub-working Groups is directly implemented by following agencies:

Sub-Working Group Indian nodal agency Russian nodal agency
Agricultural Research Department of Agricultural Research & Education Russian Academy of Agricultural Sciences
Biotechnology Department of Biotechnology Shemyakin Institute of Bio-organic Chemistry
Building Materials National center for Cement & Building Materials
Industrial Reliasation of High Technologies Department of Science & Technology Ministry of Industry, Science & Technology
Medical Sciences Indian Council of Medical Research Russian Academy for Medical Sciences
Meteorology India Meteorology Department ROSHYDROMET
Metrology, Standards & Certification Bureau of Indian Standards GOSSTANDARD
Oceanology National Institute of Oceanography Institute of Oceanology, RAS
Seismology India Meteorology Department Institute of Physics of Earth, RAS

For further information, please contact

Shri YP Kumar,
Adviser & Head,
International Division,
DST
([email protected])