Twelve researchers from Australia have been awarded prestigious Early and Mid-Career Researcher (EMCR) Fellowships through the Australia-India Strategic Research Fund (AISRF) for 2026. These fellowships, which support innovative projects, span a broad range of fields including cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, public health, and green energy technology.
The selected projects underscore the growing collaboration between Australia and India, particularly in addressing shared challenges. For instance, Dr. Krishna Manaswi Digumarti from the Queensland University of Technology is developing an AI-powered wearable device designed to detect breast cancer. This initiative highlights the urgent need for advancements in women’s health technology.
Another noteworthy project comes from Dr. Saheli Biswas, who is focusing on the recycling of critical minerals from electrochemical devices such as batteries. Her work aligns with Australia’s status as a leading producer of cobalt and lithium, while also catering to India’s increasing demand for sustainable energy solutions and electronic manufacturing.
Dr. Jinshuo Zou from the University of Adelaide is also making strides in environmental sustainability by researching methods to capture CO2 and convert it into urea, a crucial fertilizer component. Meanwhile, Dr. Nisa Salim from Swinburne University of Technology is proposing innovative techniques for sustainable electrochemical energy storage utilizing 3D printing technologies.
Expanding Australia-India Collaboration
The ongoing partnership between Australia and India has gained significant momentum, as evidenced by initiatives like the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP) and the Australia-India Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (ECTA). The upcoming Quad Leaders’ Summit, scheduled for the first quarter of March 2026 in Australia, is expected to further enhance bilateral relations.
Many of the fellowship projects are likely to be discussed at various bilateral and multilateral forums, reflecting a real-time demand for innovative and collaborative research efforts. The AISRF fellowships are seen as a vital tool in fostering these important international ties, emphasizing mutual development and progress through research.
The full list of fellowship recipients includes:
– Dr. Alireza Jolfaei, Flinders University: Proactive threat hunting and predictive defence using agentic AI
– Dr. Deval Mehta, Monash University: Advancing cross-national digital health collaboration: Improving skincare through AI-powered systems for rural communities in Australia and India
– Associate Professor Emma George, University of Adelaide: Co-designing population approach occupational therapy research and practice with marginalised women in India
– Dr. Lihong Su, University of Wollongong: Development of novel cost-effective high-entropy alloys with superior mechanical performance by additive manufacturing
– Dr. Pankaj Sharma, Flinders University: Topological polarisation textures in twisted oxides
– Dr. Rishabh More, Monash University: Data-driven modelling of sedimentation dynamics of microplastics in aquatic environments
– Dr. Shanmuga Sundar Dhanabalan, La Trobe University: MXene-polymer composites based battery-free wearable platform for remote health monitoring
– Dr. Sohinee Sarkar, Murdoch Children’s Research Institute: Developing live oral biotherapeutics for Helicobacter-associated diseases
The AISRF 2026 fellowships represent a significant investment in the future of research collaboration between Australia and India, reaffirming the commitment to tackle pressing global challenges through innovation and shared expertise.
