World leading researchers awarded Yusuf Hamied Visiting Fellowships to develop collaborations with Indian institutions

The Royal Society has announced a second round with four new Royal Society Yusuf Hamied Visiting Fellowships to India, which supports scientific collaboration across international borders.

The programme, launched in 2017 through a generous donation from the Yusuf and Farida Hamied Foundation, promotes excellence in science by bringing the Indian and international scientific communities together. Scientists will make visits to partner organisations in India, building and strengthening relationships between their research teams and sharing expertise on topics of vital shared importance. Scientists spend up to 12 weeks visiting research teams in India and exchanging scientific expertise through lectures, seminars, and discussions.

Dr Yusuf Hamied said: “Collaboration and the exchange of knowledge between researchers and innovators are crucial to driving scientific innovation. The Yusuf and Farida Hamied Foundation is proud to continue its partnership with the Royal Society in strengthening ties between scientific communities in the UK, India and internationally. Encouraging these cross-border relationships is fundamental for advancing science and tackling global challenges together.”

The second round of scientists awarded in 2026 are:

Dr Ibrahim Dar, University of Cambridge

Partner organisations:

• Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore
• Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay
• University of Kashmir

Professor Marina Freitag, Newcastle University

Partner organisation:

• CSIR-National Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Technology, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala

Professor Tin Sulejmanpasic, Durham University

Partner organisation:

• International Centre for Theoretical Sciences, Bengaluru

Dr Yan-Chuan Cai, University of Edinburgh

Partner organisation:

• Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Mumbai