On August 17, 2020, the government of United Kingdom (UK) launched a £3 million “Innovation Challenge Fund 2020” in India to support scientists in academia and industry to tackle the COVID-19 pandemic and climate change.
- In this regard, tech innovators with connections to the AI-Data cluster in Karnataka and the future mobility cluster in Maharashtra will submit research and development proposals for tackling COVID-19 or which promote a greener planet till August 31, 2020.
- At least 6 grants up to £250,000 are expected to be awarded for projects lasting 12 months, with a proposed start in January 2021.
- These grants are part of a wider initiative under the tech partnership known as ‘Tech Clusters’.
- The Innovation Challenge Fund 2020 of £3 million to India is provided to Maharashtra(£1.5 million) & Karnataka(£1.5 million).
Innovation Challenge Fund 2020 in Maharashtra:
U.K.’s Innovation Challenge Fund 2020 will fund £1.5 million for innovative research and development projects in Future Mobility in Maharashtra. The aim of the Innovation Challenge Fund is also to support the development of the Maharashtra Future Mobility Tech Cluster by promoting closer scientific collaboration between industry and academia.
Innovation Challenge Fund 2020 in Karnataka:
Innovation Challenge Fund 2020 will fund £1.5 million for innovative research and development projects in AI. The aim of the Innovation Challenge Fund is also to support the development of the Karnataka AI / Data Science Tech Cluster by promoting closer scientific collaboration between industry and academia, and by promoting links with international counterparts and centres of excellence, including in the UK.
Point to be noted:
This initiative is on the lines of the Indian and British Prime Ministers’ commitment to bring together the best minds from both countries under the UK-India Tech Partnership, which was initiated in 2018 to deliver high-skilled jobs and economic growth as well as to collaborate on some of the world’s biggest challenges.
Recent Related News:
On 28th July 2020, the UK India Business Council (UKIBC) signed a memorandum of Understanding (MoU) over a virtual platform with the Industrial Extension Bureau (iNDEXTb), Industries and Mines Department, Government of Gujarat to speed up the business and industrial development process of Gujarat.
About United Kingdom:
Prime Minister– Alexander Boris de Pfeffel Johnson
Capital– London
