India, Switzerland launch Indo-Swiss Research Framework to strengthen scientific cooperation

India and Switzerland have launched the Indo-Swiss Research Framework (ISRF) to expand scientific and innovation cooperation, with greater emphasis on researcher mobility, research networks, knowledge exchange and academia-industry partnerships.

The framework was unveiled at the Indo-Swiss Research Flagship Event 2026 in New Delhi, marking 20 years of bilateral collaboration in science, technology and innovation.

Union Minister of State for Science and Technology Jitendra Singh said the framework would create a more structured platform for expanding cooperation into emerging fields while opening new opportunities for researchers and innovators from both countries.

India-Switzerland research partnership

Scientific cooperation between India and Switzerland began with the 2003 India-Switzerland Inter-Governmental Agreement on science and technology. The two countries subsequently launched the Indo-Swiss Joint Research Programme in 2005.

The program has supported joint work involving faculty members and young researchers from India and Switzerland. Over the years, collaboration has expanded into areas such as mountain and glacier research, geoscientific hazards, systems medicine, One Health, renewable energy, life sciences and social sciences.

The new framework seeks to build on this partnership by creating additional research networks and improving the transition from academic research to innovation.

New Explore research program

Under the ISRF, India and Switzerland will introduce initiatives to support early-stage research connections and develop larger collaborative projects.

The Explore program is expected to open in November 2026 as a co-funded initiative of the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF) and India's Department of Science and Technology (DST).

The 9 to 12-month program will provide support for travel, networking and small equipment. It is designed to allow researchers to explore new ideas, establish connections and develop the foundations for larger research collaborations.

India, Switzerland sign research agreements

DST and SNSF also signed a Letter of Intent covering exploratory scientific cooperation, future joint research and longer-term collaboration in mutually agreed priority areas.

A separate Implementation Arrangement between DST and Zurich University of Applied Sciences (ZHAW) will promote cooperation in innovation, technology transfer and entrepreneurship through the Indo-Swiss Academia-Industry Training (AIT India) program.

The initiative aims to provide opportunities for science-based innovators while strengthening connections between academic research and industry.

Swiss President Guy Parmelin highlighted the scope for deeper cooperation between the two countries, pointing to India's growing research and innovation ecosystem and Switzerland's research capabilities, funding mechanisms and innovation ecosystem.

He said the new framework would strengthen links between researchers and institutions, facilitate mobility and knowledge exchange, and create opportunities for ideas to develop through sustained collaboration.

The Indo-Swiss Research Flagship Event brought together policymakers, researchers, universities, funding organizations and other stakeholders from India and Switzerland.

The event also highlighted existing research partnerships in areas including mental health and brain research, language and linguistics, and Himalayan glacier research.

The launch of the ISRF marks a broader effort by India and Switzerland to move from individual research projects toward a more coordinated and long-term approach to scientific, technological and innovation cooperation.