Canada and India R&D Collaboration to Improve Health and Sustainable Technologies

Canada and India R&D Collaboration to Improve Health and Sustainable Technologies

The Ontario Government is pleased to announce an investment of $900,000 through the Ontario-India Research Collaboration Fund (OIRCF) for three projects. This bilateral program between the Ministry of Research and Innovation and India’s Department of Science and Technology (DST) and the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) will improve health and sustainable technologies. DST and DBT are also partnering with IC-IMPACTS, a pan Canada-India Research Centre of Excellence cohosted by three Canadian Universities including the University of Toronto, with a $2 million call for proposals, matched by the Indian government for the upcoming year.

The Ontario-India Research Collaboration Fund (OIRCF) project in bio-sciences will develop new treatments against drug resistant malaria that can be deployed in remote areas. The two projects in clean-technology will develop a new water treatment system, as well as community energy storage facility in an Indian setting. IC-IMPACTS and DBT, in collaboration with Ontario institutions are partnering to develop novel, rapid and portable diagnostics that are suitable for deployment and use in rural and remote settings and which will enable more effective health intervention and treatment across both nations. This initiative will augment existing partnerships between Ontario and Indian researchers in the areas of antimalarial therapies, Dengue, and West Nile virus diagnostic technologies. On sustainable technologies, India and Canada are working together to ensure reduced energy use in buildings, increased water conservation and development of innovative low carbon construction materials and improved performance of structures and flows, including networks and internet connectivity.

These important partnerships and combined investment of $2.9 million (Cdn) with matching funding from the Indian government  will help further Ontario’s leadership in biotechnology and clean technology research within Canada, providing a continuing platform for bilateral academic and industry collaborations that will create new market pathways and improve the lives of Canadian and Indians.

Quick Facts

Ontario-India Research Collaboration Fund (OIRCF)

• The OIRCF is a joint $6 million program funded by the Ministry of Research and Innovation (MRI), India’s Department of Biotechnology (DBT) and the Department of Science and Technology (DST). The fund supports bilateral research and development projects which exhibit a strong potential for commercialization.
• Funded projects are collaborating in areas such as ICT, clean technologies, life sciences and bioproducts.
• MRI provides up to 50% of project costs to Ontario partners, to a maximum of $300,000 per project.
• Under the program, Ontario’s $2.6 million commitment has leveraged an additional $9.1 million from the Government of India, industry partners, institutional and federal sources to support these projects.

IC-IMPACTS

• IC-IMPACTS is the only Indo-Canadian member of the Networks of the Canadian Centre of Excellence program.
• To date IC-IMPACTS has 29 projects involving researchers across Canada and India.
• IC-IMPACTS is a $30 million pan Canada-India Research Centre of Excellence cohosted by three Canadian Universities including the University of Toronto.
• Currently, Ontario and Indian researchers are collaborating on 11 large research programs in the areas of infrastructure, water, energy and health.

Department of Science and Technology

The Department of Science & Technology (DST) was established in May 1971, with the objective of promoting new areas of Science & Technology and to play the role of a nodal department for organizing, coordinating and promoting S&T activities in the country. The department has wide ranging activities ranging from promoting high end basic research and development of cutting edge technologies on one hand to service the technological requirements of the common man through development of appropriate skills and technologies on the other.

Department of Biotechnology

The Department of Biotechnology (DBT) is celebrating its 30th anniversary in 2016, and is one of the leading research organizations for biotechnology in India, and an important funding source for biotechnology.  DBT is mandated to promote large-scale use of biotechnology and to support research, development and manufacturing in the biology industry. DBT also promotes national and international collaborations with academia and industry, and provides supports research and development through the establishment of infrastructure facilities.

Associated Links

https://ic-impacts.com/dbt/
https://ic-impacts.com/dst/

Contacts

Allison Barr
Director Research Branch
Ministry of Research and Innovation, Government of Ontario
Tel: 416 212-6990
[email protected]
Dr. Nemkumar (Nemy) Banthia
CEO & Scientific Director
IC-IMPACTS Centres of Excellence
Tel: 604 822 9541
[email protected]
Dr. Naveen Vasishta
Principal Scientific Officer
Department of Science and Technology
Tel: 91 11 2696 3159
[email protected]
Dr Shailja Gupta
Director
Department of Biotechnology
Tel. 91-11-24363748
[email protected]
Dr Sanjay Kalia
Scientist ‘C’
Cel: 98 10315260
[email protected]
International Cooperation
Department of Biotechnology