India–Italy Scientific Cooperation: 2027 Joint Research Call Envisaged Under Strategic Partnership

The news

India and Italy have agreed to launch a new joint research call in 2027 under their bilateral science and technology cooperation framework, Union Minister of State for Science and Technology Dr. Jitendra Singh announced after a bilateral meeting with Italian Minister of University and Research Anna Maria Bernini in Italy on November 13, 2026. The proposed call will focus on artificial intelligence, high-performance computing, clean energy, advanced biotechnology and biomedical research, including gene therapy, mRNA technologies and biomanufacturing. The announcement came during Dr. Singh's official visit to Italy from November 11 to 15, 2026, aimed at strengthening the scientific dimension of the India-Italy Strategic Partnership.

The first inter-governmental science and technology agreement between India and Italy was signed in 1978 and renewed on November 28, 2003. Bilateral relations were elevated to a Strategic Partnership in 2023, and Prime Ministers Narendra Modi and Giorgia Meloni announced the Joint Strategic Action Plan for 2025-2029 in November 2024. A memorandum of understanding between India's Ministry of Science and Technology and Italy's Ministry of University and Research was signed in New Delhi in April 2025. Under the current Executive Programme of Cooperation for 2025-27, signed on April 10, 2025, both sides agreed to jointly fund 10 proposals for researcher mobility and 10 proposals for significant research. More than 150 joint projects have been implemented under the programme so far. The India-Italy Joint Scientific Council is responsible for implementing cooperation activities under the MoU, and the Second India-Italy Science and Innovation Dialogue 2026 is being organised as a continuation of the first dialogue held in New Delhi on April 11, 2025.

What is the 1978 India-Italy S&T agreement?

The inter-governmental Science and Technology Cooperation Agreement between India and Italy was first signed in 1978, establishing the foundational framework for bilateral scientific exchange. It was subsequently renewed on November 28, 2003, to continue sharing experiences in national research policies, exchange of scientists, industrial research, and joint R&D projects. The agreement is implemented through periodic Executive Programmes of Cooperation, with the Department of Science and Technology representing India and Italy's Ministry of Foreign Affairs coordinating the Italian side. This 1978 pact predates and underpins the later elevation of ties to a Strategic Partnership in 2023 and the Joint Strategic Action Plan for 2025-2029.

What is the institutional framework for India-Italy scientific cooperation?

The bilateral science and technology agreement, first signed in 1978 and renewed in 2003, provides for sharing of research and innovation policies, exchange of scientists, industrial research, joint R&D projects and workshops. The Department of Science and Technology and Italy's Ministry of Foreign Affairs support activities through the Indo-Italian Executive Programme of Cooperation. The India-Italy Joint Scientific Council pursues implementation of the MoU signed in April 2025 between India's Ministry of Science and Technology and Italy's Ministry of University and Research.

What are the proposed research areas and what has been achieved so far?

The proposed 2027 call covers artificial intelligence, high-performance computing and big data; clean technologies, hydrogen, renewable energy and energy transition; and advanced biotechnology and biomedical research with emphasis on gene therapy, mRNA technologies and biomanufacturing. Under the current EPOC 2025-27, the two sides agreed to jointly fund 10 researcher mobility proposals and 10 significant research proposals. More than 150 joint projects have been implemented under the programme to date. The first India-Italy Science and Innovation Dialogue was held in New Delhi on April 11, 2025, and the second edition is being organised in 2026.