India and Italy envisage new joint research call for 2027

Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology and Earth Sciences, Dr Jitendra Singh recently held a bilateral meeting with the Italian Minister of University and Research, Anna Maria Bernini, to strengthen the long-standing India - Italy scientific partnership and to take forward joint research and innovation initiatives under the bilateral science and technology cooperation framework .

The talks between the two leaders focused on transforming the India - Italy strategic partnership into practical scientific collaboration, strengthening institutional mechanisms and exploring new opportunities for joint research in emerging and priority technology areas.

Within the framework of the Science and Technology Agreement, the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India, and the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs are supporting bilateral scientific and technological activities through the Indo - Italian Executive Cooperation Programme (EPOC). More than 150 joint projects have been implemented under the programme.

Looking to the future, the two sides are in the process of launching a new initiative in 2027. Proposed areas of research collaboration include artificial intelligence, high - performance computing, and big data; clean technology, hydrogen, renewable energy, and energy transition; and advanced biotechnology and biomedical research, with a special focus on gene therapy , mRNA technology, and biomanufacturing.

The bilateral meeting and the 2nd India - Italy Science and Innovation Dialogue are part of the official visit of Dr Jitendra Singh to Italy from November 11 to 15, 2026, aimed at further strengthening the scientific and technological dimension of the India - Italy Strategic Partnership.