The Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur (IIT Kanpur) has signed a memorandum of understanding with the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) in Washington, D.C., to support collaborative research in climate and environmental sciences.
The agreement was signed under the Global Climate and Environmental Research Fellowship Program (GCERF), an initiative designed to enable U.S.-based researchers to conduct collaborative research with institutions outside the United States.
According to IIT Kanpur’s Office of International Relations, the agreement establishes a framework for cooperation between the NAS and IIT Kanpur. It will allow researchers selected through the fellowship program to contribute to ongoing research at the Indian institution while developing sustained professional relationships with their counterparts.
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Under the agreement, up to two fellows will be placed at IIT Kanpur for periods of up to six months. The placements are intended to support their professional development and training.
The GCERF program emphasizes two-way knowledge exchange and research collaboration. Its broader objective is to strengthen the workforce and research capabilities in climate and environmental sciences, benefiting scientific communities in the United States and internationally.
IIT Kanpur said the agreement is also expected to support joint scientific exchanges, the development of actionable data tools for climate and environmental sustainability, and long-term bilateral research collaborations.
The memorandum was finalized during a September 2026 visit to the United States by an IIT Kanpur delegation participating in the institute’s Karvaan initiative.
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The delegation was led by IIT Kanpur Director Manindra Agrawal. Other members included Deputy Director Braj Bhushan, Institute Chair Professor Vinod Kumar Singh, Dean of International Relations Bushra Ateeq and Dean of Resources and Alumni Amey Karkare.
The agreement was finalized alongside National Academy of Engineering President Tsu-Jae Liu and National Academies Executive Officer Greg Symmes.
IIT Kanpur described the agreement as the first finalized under the Global Climate and Environmental Research Fellowship Program. Through the arrangement, IIT Kanpur will serve as a host institution for fellows undertaking collaborative research in climate and environmental sciences.
The program is intended to connect researchers across institutions and countries through shared scientific work and professional engagement.