ANU launches program for India’s up-and-coming researchers

The Australian National University's (ANU) College of Science and College of Health and Medicine have launched the Future Research Talent program to offer a career-changing research experience to students from high-quality Indian institutes.

The program will be a valuable opportunity for India's emerging research talent to form international linkages and develop research skills at one of Australia's top-ranked universities (QS World University Rankings).

Up to 35 high-achieving Indian students will be offered a place in the inaugural round of the scheme in 2018-19. Each student will receive A$6000 to support the cost of traveling to Canberra and spending 10 to 12 weeks conducting research at ANU.  

"ANU is looking forward to welcoming students from India and providing them with the opportunity to work in our research teams, alongside our staff and students," Dean of the ANU College of Science Professor Kiaran Kirk said.

"The Future Research Talent scheme is intended as a mechanism for building long-term research collaborations with key partner institutions in India."

The program follows the success of the Chennupati and Vidya Jagadish Fellowship and Scholarship Awards which have previously been offered to Indian students conducting research at the ANU Research School of Physics and Engineering.

Distinguished ANU Professor Chennupati Jagadish said the new program broadened the scope of opportunity for Indian students.

"Students from India have found the experience of working at ANU life-changing and have had the opportunity to experience top-class research at ANU and the outstanding quality of life in Canberra," he said.

One of Professor Jagadish's endowment students, Nalin Venkat Sameera, said: "Being at RSPE at ANU was definitely a life-changing experience for me. I could experience the excitement of innovation in such a short while. With a world-class research infrastructure and supportive cohort, I was able to discover my area of interest and improve my skills. I feel grateful for the opportunity to be a tiny part of ANU."

Professor Jagadish described the Future Research Talent scheme as a 'bold and visionary initiative' for collaborating with the impressive scientific talent in India and capitalising on the increasing investment in scientific research by the Indian Government.

"These travel awards provide bright students from India further opportunity to work with leading experts in a range of fields with state-of-the-art facilities," he said.

More information about the Future Research Talent program is available here.