India has moved to deepen its global scientific footprint by initiating the ‘India-ICTP Co-operation Fund’ with the Italy-based International Centre for Theoretical Physics (ICTP). Aimed at institutionalising bilateral research collaboration and expanding opportunities for Indian scientists and students, the initiative was formalised through a Letter of Intent (LoI) signed between the Department of Science and Technology (DST) and ICTP in Trieste, Italy.
The LoI was exchanged during the official visit of Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology and Earth Sciences, Dr. Jitendra Singh, to Italy from November 11 to 15, 2026. Representing India at the exchange was Dr. Praveenkumar Somasundaram, Head of International Cooperation at DST. Welcoming the pact, Dr. Singh noted that institutionalising this longstanding association will give fresh momentum to joint scientific projects and open structured avenues for researcher mobility.
A globally renowned hub for advanced research and capacity-building in physics and mathematics, ICTP already shares deep academic ties with leading Indian institutions, including DST, CSIR, IITs, and major universities. Indian scholars regularly participate in ICTP’s visiting fellowships, diploma courses, and postdoctoral programmes, while ICTP experts actively collaborate with Indian researchers across high-energy physics, astrophysics, climate modelling, and computational science.
By establishing a dedicated financial and institutional framework, the new Co-operation Fund is set to elevate these exchanges—fostering fundamental scientific discoveries and high-impact innovations while connecting India’s research community more closely with global networks of excellence.
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