Australia-India Science and Technology Research award announced

New Delhi, Oct.14 (ANI): Australian Foreign Minister Stephen Smith on Wednesday announced the establishment of the Australia India Science and Technology Research Award.

This new award recognises excellence in science and engineering and will be targeted at early career Australian and Indian researchers.

The focus topic for the 2010 Award is Energy generation in a low carbon future.

Supported by the Australian Government through the Australia-India Council (AIC), the Award will be managed by the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering (ATSE).

The Australia-India Science and Technology Research Award will provide Australian dollars 30,000 (12 lakh rupees) in 2010 to facilitate two-way exchange between Australian and Indian researchers, with support for one young Australian scientist to visit India and one young Indian scientist to visit Australia for a 12 week research placement.

In a statement, Smith said that collaboration in science is an important and dynamic part of the bilateral relationship.

He said that in addition to the new Australia India Science and Technology Research Award, the Australian Government supports leading-edge science through the Australia-India Strategic Research Fund, which with an Australian commitment of 20 million dollars (80 crore rupees), matched by the Government of India, is Australia's largest fund for bilateral research.

Further details on the award will be available at ATSE's website, www.atse.org.au. (ANI)