New INDIGO

New INDIGO is a joint Indian - European project co-funded under the Seventh Framework Programme for research and technological development. The project is one of the International Cooperation European Research Area Networks (ERA-NETs). It aims to expand the scientific collaboration of India and the European Union in the field of research and development and to structure the international dimension of the European Research Area through exchange of information, expertise and best practices, including the development of databases. This is put into practice by a range of networking activities, amongst others a Networking Pilot Programme (NPP) which has been launched recently.

Background

Since the signature of the Europe-India Science and Technology Agreement in November 2001 (renewed in 2007), a Joint Action Plan has been drawn up and EU-India summits in S&T are held in order to promote this cooperation. It was quoted in the India-EU Joint Statement of 30 November 2007 that effort should be consented towards the creation of joint infrastructure for advanced research and funding systems for symmetric programmes for promotion of S&T collaboration. It was also stated that leaders would welcome strengthened partnership initiatives such as joint projects with co-investment of resources in selected fields of mutual priority.

History

The project New INDIGO is a follow-up of the SSA ("Specific Support Action") project AOUDA ("Action to Observe and Understand different Approaches in Euro-India Research Programmes"), which was aimed at mapping and analysing existing bilateral S&T cooperation programmes between European Union member states and India. Its results, namely a database of partners, institutions and individuals, laid the foundation for New INDIGO which was launched in January 2009.

Fact Sheet

ERA-NET

New Indigo is a ERA-Net. "ERA-NET projects aim at stepping up the cooperation and coordination of research programmes carried out at national or regional level in the Member or Associated States through the networking of research programmes, towards their mutual opening and the development and implementation of joint activities."

Other ERA-NETs:

- BS-ERA.NET (Black Sea): Networking on science and technology in the Black Sea region 8

- ERA.Net RUS (Russia): Linking Russia to the ERA: Coordination of MS´/AC´ S&T programmes towards and with Russia 9

- KorA-Net (South Korea): An Initiative to Intensify and Strengthen the Regional S&T-Cooperation between Korea within the Asian Region and the ERA 10

- SEE-ERA.NET PLUS (Southeast Europe): Further integrating key research institutions from Southeast Europe into the European Research Area 11

External links

• newindigo.eu
• European Commission
• European Commission: CORDIS
• European Commission: ERA-NETs
• Science & Technology at the European Delegation to India