Indo-US tech forum proposes COVID-19 research platform

The Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has claimed more than 120,000 lives between December 2019 and mid-April 2020, while nearly 2 million people have so far contracted the disease in over 180 countries

April 13, 2020

The forum is seeking proposals that demonstrate the benefits of the Indo-US partnership to advance research and address critical challenges related to COVID-19

The pandemic has brought human and goods movement around the world to a halt and is expected to cost the global economy well over US$1 trillion in 2020

COVID 19 has called for global partnerships, bringing together the brightest scientists, engineers, and entrepreneurs to find solutions for the challenges that lie ahead

The IUSSTF, established in March 2000, is an autonomous bilateral organization that promotes substantive interaction among governments, academia, and industry

The Indo-US Science and Technology Forum (IUSSTF), has invited proposals to set up the COVID-19 Indo-U.S. Virtual Networks which will allow Indian and US scientists and engineers currently engaged in COVID-related research to carry out joint activities through a virtual mechanism, leveraging existing infrastructure and funding. The announcement was made on April 13. The forum is seeking proposals that convincingly demonstrate the benefits and value of the Indo-US partnership to advance research and address critical challenges related to COVID-19. 

The Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has claimed more than 120,000 lives between December 2019 and mid-April 2020, while nearly 2 million people have so far contracted the disease in over 180 countries. With a cure believed to be 12-18 months away, the disease is expected to spread rapidly in the coming weeks. The pandemic has brought human and goods movement around the world to a halt and is expected to cost the global economy well over US$1 trillion in 2020. The impact of COVID-19 is proving to be worse than any pandemic in modern history. 

COVID 19 has called for global partnerships, bringing together the brightest scientists, engineers, and entrepreneurs to find solutions not only to address the current pandemic but also for the challenges that lie ahead. The IUSSFT is boosting such collaborations in keeping with the core mandate to catalyze joint initiatives across both countries. The IUSSTF, established under an agreement between the Governments of India and the US in March 2000, is an autonomous bilateral organization that promotes substantive interaction among governments, academia, and industry. 

Science, engineering, and technology will play a critical role in finding solutions to combat this pandemic. Collaboration across nations and organizations can leverage and share expertise across S&T communities and facilitate the development of a diverse, globally-engaged science, engineering, and technology-abled workforce, which can proactively work towards solutions for the pandemic. Applications will be accepted online from April 15 and till May 15, 2020.

[For more details, please visit https://www.iusstf.org/
Contact details: Dr (Ms) Nandini Kannan, ED, IUSSTF
Email:
Mob: +91-9717957003]

Recent Articles

Startups generate over 1.6 million jobs in India: Govt.

December 26, 2024

India’s startup ecosystem has created over 1.6 million jobs nationwide, …

Read More

India strategises for 7-8% growth amid global uncertainties

December 26, 2024

India is strategising to achieve 7-8% economic growth amid global …

Read More

India-Indonesia trade reaches US$29.4 billion in FY2023-24

December 23, 2024

India and Indonesia have strengthened their economic partnership, with bilateral …

Read More