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, Office of Science and Innovation, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, the British Council and devolved authorties of Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.

The private sector has added significantly to this contribution through the 4 corporate champions BAE, BP, GSK and Shell. Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India has also pledged matching funding for science related collaboration under the initiative.