University of Liverpool, IISc Bengaluru launch joint seed fund to accelerate innovation in AI, Health and Space
The UK-India collaboration to fund research collaboration across AI, life sciences, quantum technologies and space
Bengaluru, April 16, 2026. The University of Liverpool, UK and the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru have announced the establishment of a joint seed fund to catalyse research and innovation collaborations aimed at addressing global challenges.
The new seed fund marks the next stage of partnership for Liverpool and IISc, following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in 2023 to strengthen research collaborations. The collaboration has already fostered academic linkages between Biochemistry Professors from both institutions, which are home to two of the oldest biochemistry departments in the world.
In September 2025, a delegation from University of Liverpool visited the IISc campus to engage with researchers across priority research areas. The newly established seed fund will to catalyse collaborations in the following areas:
- Applications of AI
- Biomedical and Life Sciences
- One health/ Infectious Diseases
- Quantum Technology
- Space
Both the institutions have committed to co-invest significant funding annually into the seed fund, for an initial 3-year period.
In addition to the research collaboration, the two institutions will focus on developing early career researchers through strong PhD training programmes, drawing on the strengths of both the UK and Indian academic systems.
Professor Tariq Ali, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Global Engagement and Partnerships at the University of Liverpool said: “This joint seed fund marks an exciting new chapter in our growing partnership with IISc Bangalore. By bringing together world-leading expertise from both institutions, we are creating a powerful platform to address some of the most pressing global challenges of our time.
“Through collaboration in areas such as AI, biotechnology, health and life sciences, quantum technologies and space, and by investing in the next generation of researchers, we are strengthening research links and delivering impact on an international scale. We look forward to seeing the innovative ideas and long-term academic partnerships that will emerge from this initiative.”
Prof. Baladitya Suri, Chair of the Office of International Relations at IISc said: “We believe that academic collaborations play a vital role in advancing science, education and innovation for the well-being of society, and joint programs/activities strengthen our commitment to the shared purpose. We hope this partnership will foster interdisciplinary dialogue, facilitate knowledge sharing, and establish sustainable pathways for our engagement through the exchange of faculty and students under joint seed fund, co-supervision program, bilateral symposia/workshops, and collaborative innovation.”
