Funding is available for both industrial projects and projects of research organisations. Collaborative projects between industry and academia are encouraged. In case of academic research, projects that engage a technology developer and a technology end-user/first customer are strongly recommended.

The aim is to launch ambitious joint projects of a high international standard between Finnish and Indian organisations. Potential projects will be funded by Tekes in Finland, and by DBT in partnership with BIRAC in India.

The joint projects must meet the requirements of the funding organisations. In the Finnish part of the project, the general funding terms of Tekes will be applied, and in the Indian part of the project, the general funding terms of DBT/BIRAC will be applied.

Launch of the call: 11 Sept. 2013Dead-line for project proposals: 24 January 2014
Funding decisions: latest in June 2014

The projects funded in this call are expected to recognise a real need and aim to solve a relevant problem in India or globally. The projects must be Finnish-Indian joint projects with a common project plan and they need to build up Finnish-Indian partnerships in order to enhance benefits to come for both Indian and Finnish economic life and society. At least one organisation from Finland and one organisation from India must be involved as partners.
The projects are expected to be multidisciplinary, combining e.g. health technology or diagnostics expertise with bio-IT knowledge and mobile technologies. Understanding the user needs and how the solution will benefit the patient or the customer will be crucial.

Projects may focus on many different applications including but not restricted to e.g. the following: technologies and solutions for health and well-being. medical devices, diagnostics and healthcare technologies; digital and mobile solutions for these. utilisation of big data for developing health innovations. environmental monitoring with impact on health and well-being.

The projects may aim to develop affordable solutions for low-resource settings, e.g. Indian rural needs, or focus on higher-end products and services. Total solutions that innovatively take into account different challenges related to a problem will be favoured.  Engaging end-users or customers in the projects is strongly encouraged.