In a significant development for India’s research and innovation landscape, the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation signed a Letter of Intent (LoI) on July 8, 2025, at Vigyan Bhawan Annexe in New Delhi. The agreement signals the start of a collaborative partnership aimed at advancing cutting-edge, interdisciplinary research and innovation.
The signing ceremony was held in the presence of Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India, Prof. Ajay Kumar Sood. Also present were key figures from both institutions including Dr. Rajiv Bahl, Secretary of the Department of Health Research and Director General of ICMR; Dr. Shivkumar Kalyanaraman, CEO of ANRF; and Dr. Chris Elias, President of Global Development at the Gates Foundation.
Representatives from the Gates Foundation included Dr. Harish Iyer and Dr. Hari Menon, while the ANRF delegation featured Dr. Premila Mohan, Dr. Dipti Kakkar, Dr. Shashi Bhushan Pandey (all Scientist G), Dr. T. Thangaradjou (Scientist F), and Dr. Pramod Prasad (Scientist E). The Office of the PSA was represented by Dr. Sangeeta Agarwal (Scientist F) and Dr. Hafsa Ahmad (Scientist D).
The LoI lays the groundwork for mutual cooperation in promoting impactful research and fostering innovation ecosystems that can address critical global and national challenges.
