These fellowships enable Australian researchers to undertake collaborative research with prominent Indian institutions, strengthening enduring partnerships in science, technology and innovation between the two countries.

The Australian Academy of Science invites applications for round 5 of the Australia-India Strategic Research Fund (AISRF) Early- and Mid-Career Researcher (EMCR) Fellowships. The EMCR Fellowships are one component of the broader AISRF, Australia's largest bilateral science collaboration initiative with India, jointly managed and funded by the governments of Australia and India.

Each fellowship provides funding of up to A$17,500 to support travel and collaboration for a period of between one and three months.

The program is designed to foster meaningful, long-term connections by supporting researchers to expand their international networks, enhance their understanding of India's research systems and culture, and develop as future leaders and science ambassadors. Fellows are expected to establish substantial research links that will extend beyond the initial visit and contribute to ongoing collaboration and knowledge exchange.

To be eligible for consideration, an applicant must:

• be an Australian citizen or permanent resident based in Australia (including the Special Category Visa, Subclass 444) at the time of application
• be living in Australia at both the time of application and time of travel
• be employed as a scientist/faculty member of an eligible Australian research organisation as defined below
• have a PhD awarded no more than 15 years prior to the grant application deadline. An extension to this limit may be approved in the case of significant career interruptions.

Applicants must be employed by an eligible research organisation, including:

• Australian tertiary education institutions (as defined in the Higher Education Support Act 2003)
• Australian cooperative research centres
• publicly funded research agencies
• state- or territory-funded research organisations
• Australian public or private research companies
• Australian not-for-profit research organisations
• other incorporated Australian entities.

To be eligible for consideration, projects must:

• be a genuine collaboration between an Australian EMCR and an Indian research partner, employed at a research organisation located in India
• focus on substantial research activity; the primary purpose cannot be attendance at a conference or short-term networking only.

• Email: grants@science.org.au