BRICS STI Framework Programme 2026 - 7th Coordinated Call for Multilateral R&D Projects

Indian legal scientific research entities: public/private academic institutions, national R&D laboratories, and DSIR-recognized SIRO R&D entities. Industry may participate voluntarily by investing own resources. Consortium must include partners from at least 3 BRICS countries.

The 7th Coordinated Call under the BRICS STI Framework Programme supports collaborative multilateral basic, applied, or innovation research projects involving consortia of at least three BRICS countries (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Egypt, Iran).

Thematic Areas:

1. Water Systems & Climate Resilience - Water resources monitoring, treatment, reuse, resource circularity, and resilience to water hazards through data-driven approaches.
2. High-Performance Computing, AI & Quantum Technologies - HPC and AI infrastructure co-design, large language models, quantum computing, sensing, and secure information technologies.
3. Renewable Energy & Smart Power Networks - Solar energy, smart grids, sector coupling, energy efficiency, and low-carbon pathways.
4. Biotechnology, Digital Health & Precision Medicine - Advanced biotechnology, genomics, AI-assisted discovery, personalized medicine, diagnostics, cell-based therapies, digital health, and telemedicine.
5. Climate-Resilient Agriculture & Food Systems - Resilient crops, advanced plant biotechnology, digital/precision agriculture, sustainable fisheries, aquaculture, and food quality monitoring.
6. Advanced Materials, Nanomaterials & Sustainable Technologies - Functional and smart materials, energy materials, nanomaterials, bio-materials, and resilient systems.

Consortium Requirement: Minimum participation from 3 BRICS countries with at least one PI from each participating country and one overall project coordinator.

Funding (India - DST): Up to ₹1.0 crore per Indian project partner for 2-3 years. Equipment cost up to 30% of budget. Support for manpower, consumables, travel, contingency, and overheads as per DST norms.

Non-admissible costs: Regulatory approval fees, litigation costs, insurance, investigator salaries, capital expenditure for office furniture/vehicles/laptops/printers, building renovation, rental and utilities, and international travel outside consortium countries.

Participating Funding Agencies: Brazil (CNPq), China (MOST, NSFC), Egypt (STDF), India (DST), Iran (INSF), Russia (MSHE, RCSI), South Africa (NRF).

Submission: Online only via DST e-PMS portal (https://onlinedst.gov.in). No hard copy or email submissions accepted.

Contact: Dr. Arindam Bhattacharyya, Scientist-F, DST ([email protected], 011-26890409).