The UK India Education and Research Initiative (UKIERI) aims to substantially improve
educational links between India and UK ensuring in the longer term we become each other's partner of choice in education. UKIERI was announced by the Prime Minister Tony Blair during his visit to India in September 2005, and launched by him in April 2006. Its progress has been welcomed by both the Prime Ministers during their meeting in October 2006.

The three main strands of the initiative are – Higher Education and Research, Schools and Professional and Technical Skills. The Initiative also presents an opportunity for high level dialogue between the two countries on areas of mutual policy interest such as quality assurance, international standards and credit recognition schemes.

Under the initiative, United Kingdom has pledged ₤23 million through contributions by the Department for Innovation and Skills, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, the British Council and devolved authorities of Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales. Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India has also pledged matching funding for science related collaboration under the initiative.

The private sector has added significantly to this contribution through the 3 corporate champions BAE, GSK and Shell. Along with these three, BP extended support to UKIERI as a corporate Champion from 2006-2009 and are now actively engaged with the schools strand under UKIERI.

IMPORTANT: Please note that there is a considerable increase of India visitors to UK at this time of year and it will lead to a stretched UK visa turn around time of minimum one month. It is advised therefore that all UKIERI visa applicants apply well in time. For all details on visas, please visit UKBA website www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk