Deadline: 03-Jul-2026
The BRICS Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) Framework Programme is inviting applications to support high-quality collaborative research across BRICS countries. The programme funds multinational research projects addressing shared global challenges through coordinated scientific cooperation.
The initiative focuses on priority research areas where international collaboration is essential to generate scalable solutions in science, technology, and innovation.
Overview
This funding programme promotes joint research between BRICS member countries to address complex scientific and technological challenges. It supports interdisciplinary and cross-border research that strengthens innovation capacity and contributes to sustainable development.
Projects must involve multiple countries and demonstrate strong scientific merit, innovation potential, and relevance to global or regional challenges.
Funding Information
- Maximum Indian funding per project: ~₹1.0 crore
- Project duration: 2 to 3 years
- Funding authority (India): Department of Science and Technology (DST)
- Budget approval: Subject to justification and eligibility compliance
- Consortium requirement: Minimum 3 BRICS countries
Priority Research Areas
The programme supports collaborative research in the following domains:
- Water resources management and sustainability
- Artificial intelligence (AI) and high-performance computing (HPC)
- Energy systems and renewable energy technologies
- Health sciences and biotechnology
- Food security and agricultural innovation
- Materials science and advanced functional materials
Thematic Focus
Projects are expected to focus on:
- Sustainable and climate-resilient technologies
- Data-driven systems and AI applications
- Renewable and clean energy solutions
- Advanced healthcare innovations
- Smart agricultural systems and food production technologies
- Development of functional and high-performance materials
Programme Objectives
The BRICS STI Framework Programme aims to:
- Strengthen multinational scientific collaboration
- Promote innovation in priority scientific fields
- Address global challenges through joint research
- Enhance capacity in emerging technologies
- Support sustainable development across BRICS countries
- Encourage knowledge sharing and scientific exchange
Eligible Indian Applicants
Eligible Indian institutions include:
- Public and private academic institutions
- National research and development laboratories
- Scientific and Industrial Research Organisations (SIROs) recognised by DSIR under the SIRO Scheme, 1988
- R&D-performing industries (participation voluntary, with self-funded or collaborative models)
Industries may participate:
- Independently using their own funding
- Or in collaboration with academic and research institutions
Consortium Requirements
Each project consortium must include:
- At least one Principal Investigator (PI) from each participating country
- A designated project coordinator acting as the overall lead
- Partners from at least three BRICS member countries
All applicants must also comply with their respective national eligibility rules.
Ineligible Costs
The following expenses are not covered under the programme:
- Regulatory approval costs
- Litigation and legal expenses
- Insurance coverage
- Investigator salaries (as defined by scheme limits)
- Office equipment purchases
- Infrastructure renovation or construction
- Foreign technology procurement
- Rental expenses and utilities
- Conference participation unrelated to project objectives
How to Apply
Step 1: Confirm Eligibility
Ensure that:
- Your institution meets national eligibility requirements
- You are part of an eligible BRICS research organisation
- The consortium includes at least three BRICS countries
Step 2: Form Consortium
Establish a multinational research team including:
- Principal Investigators from each participating country
- A designated lead project coordinator
- Academic, industrial, or research partners as required
Step 3: Define Research Focus
Develop a proposal aligned with:
- One of the priority thematic areas
- Multinational collaboration objectives
- Clear scientific and technological outcomes
Step 4: Prepare Proposal
Include:
- Research objectives and methodology
- Roles of each partner institution
- Budget breakdown (within DST limits for Indian component)
- Timeline aligned with all partner countries
- Expected scientific and innovation outputs
Step 5: Submit Application
Submit the complete proposal through the appropriate national funding channels in compliance with BRICS STI Framework Programme requirements.
Tips for Applicants
- Ensure strong multinational collaboration with clear role distribution.
- Align research objectives with global challenges and sustainability goals.
- Clearly define scientific novelty and innovation potential.
- Maintain compliance with national eligibility and funding rules.
- Avoid including ineligible administrative or infrastructure costs.
- Ensure coordination across all participating countries from project inception.
- Highlight scalability and cross-border applicability of research outcomes.
Why This Programme Matters
The BRICS STI Framework Programme strengthens global scientific cooperation by enabling joint research across emerging economies. By funding collaborative projects in critical fields such as AI, energy, health, agriculture, and materials science, the programme promotes innovation that addresses shared global challenges while enhancing scientific capacity across BRICS nations.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- What is the funding limit for Indian participants?
- Approximately ₹1.0 crore per project.
- How long do projects run?
- Between 2 and 3 years.
- How many countries must be involved?
- At least three BRICS countries.
- What are the main research areas?
- Water resources, AI and HPC, energy, health and biotechnology, food and agriculture, and materials science.
- Who can apply from India?
- Academic institutions, research laboratories, SIRO-recognised organisations, and R&D-performing industries.
- Is industry participation allowed?
- Yes, either independently or in collaboration with research institutions.
- What costs are not eligible?
- Infrastructure, salaries (as per limits), equipment, legal costs, travel unrelated to research, and utilities.
Conclusion
The BRICS STI Framework Programme supports high-impact multinational research collaborations across key scientific domains. By bringing together institutions from multiple countries, the programme fosters innovation, strengthens research capacity, and develops scalable solutions to global challenges in science, technology, and sustainable development.
For more information, visit DST.