The Royal Society announces an enhanced Yusuf Hamied Programme for India

A generous donation from the Yusuf and Farida Hamied Foundation has enabled the Royal Society to enhance the Yusuf Hamied Programme for India, which enables outstanding scientists to collaborate beyond national borders.

The programme was launched in 2017 to bring the Indian and international scientific communities closer together. The programme supports the Royal Society’s strategic priorities of supporting international collaboration and promoting excellence in science. From 2021 to 2026 the programme’s three elements will be enhanced:

• Visiting Professorships will be opened to Royal Society senior grant holders, including University Research Fellows and Sir Henry Dale Fellows, in addition to Fellows and Foreign Members of the Royal Society.
• Bilateral international meetings (held in partnership with Indian National Science Academy) will welcome attendees both in person and virtually.
• International Exchange Awards will continue, to enable research teams to form multi-year collaborations.

Dr Hamied said: “Over the past few years I’ve been very pleased to see Fellows visit their scientific colleagues in India, and to see the strengthening of scientific ties between nations. I’m delighted to help this programme continue and grow, to benefit international collaborations between talented people in the pursuit of excellence.”

Venki Ramakrishnan, President of the Royal Society said: “Science relies on the free exchange of ideas and expertise. Dr and Mrs Hamied share a vision with the Royal Society of linking up talented researchers from India with those in the UK. 

“The enhancements to this programme will help us to continue bringing together the best scientists from the UK and India. They will be scientists who are committed to collaboration and see its importance for both strengthening ties and generation of knowledge, which in turn leads to shared prosperity.”

From 2021, double the number of Hamied Visiting Professorships will be available: a number of high-calibre researchers each year will be able to make visits to India of between three and 12 weeks, giving them the opportunity to start or develop links with Indian research teams. The recipients make short visits to India and arrange scientific meetings on topics of shared importance with the Indian science community, in order to benefit from each other’s experiences and expertise.