BRICS SCIENTIFIC COLLABORATION

• Science, technology, and innovation (STI) cooperation has been embedded in the BRICS agenda since its inception. It gained formal recognition in 2011 and was later strengthened through engagements among senior officials and BRICS Ministers responsible for STI.
• A landmark memorandum of understanding in 2015 elevated STI to a central strategic priority, establishing an institutional structure and operational direction for joint research and capacity-building.
• This framework has since broadened collaboration, enabling member states to utilise their complementary strengths to tackle common developmental issues and push the boundaries of advanced research.
• The first BRICS Action Plan for Innovation Cooperation (2017–2020) assigned the Science, Technology, Innovation, and Entrepreneurship Partnership (STIEP) Working Group the responsibility of executing multiple initiatives.
• These efforts promoted entrepreneurship ecosystems, encouraged participation of youth and women in STI, and supported technology transfer along with business incubation.
• Over time, the grouping has shifted its focus from basic scientific collaboration toward innovation-driven initiatives and practical technology transfer.
• These evolving priorities are reflected in annual ministerial declarations, where BRICS Ministers of Science, Technology, and Innovation convene to endorse strategic directions.
• Within each country, designated nodal agencies manage coordination, invite research proposals, and compile project pipelines during their presidency.
• For instance, during India’s leadership, institutions such as the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) play a central coordinating role.
• Recent initiatives highlight a strong push toward innovation-led and technology-enabled ecosystems.
• Platforms like iBRICS and the BRICS Technology Transfer Centre (TTC) illustrate this direction, with the TTC contributing to policy development and institutional connectivity for cross-border technology commercialisation.
• However, despite these advances, large-scale commercial deployment of such technologies remains limited.
• The scope of joint research has also evolved, moving beyond foundational science to address socially relevant sectors such as energy, water, healthcare, and environmental sustainability.
• The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated this transition, bringing heightened attention to public health systems, vaccine development, biosecurity, and digital healthcare.
• More recent collaborations have incorporated areas such as high-performance computing (HPC), advanced materials, information and communication technologies (ICT), and space applications, alongside a growing emphasis on artificial intelligence and data-driven science.
• Although working groups align with shared developmental priorities, progress has been uneven across sectors.
• Notable advancements are visible in ICT and HPC, including initiatives like the BRICS Institute of Future Networks, as well as in space collaboration following a 2021 intergovernmental agreement.
• In contrast, domains requiring extensive infrastructure or long-term investment—such as mega-science projects and ocean or polar research—have progressed more slowly.
• The expansion of BRICS has further strengthened its role as an inclusive platform for knowledge sharing and collaborative innovation.
• The 2025 Declaration on Artificial Intelligence marked a significant shift by elevating AI to a core pillar of multilateral governance, emphasising principles of inclusivity, equity, and development orientation.
• While the 2021–2024 Action Plan concentrated on building networks and thematic cooperation, subsequent strategies aim to scale up projects with greater real-world impact, particularly in biotechnology, climate technologies, industrial innovation, and AI.
• With India set to assume the 2026 Presidency under the theme “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability,” BRICS is poised to deepen scientific collaboration.
• The focus will be on leveraging its expanded membership to enhance collective capacities and address pressing challenges such as the digital divide, public health emergencies, and climate resilience.
• However, engagement from newer members has been uneven; among the latest entrants, only Egypt and Iran participated in the most recent call for proposals.
• Additionally, the China-BRICS Research Centre on New Quality Productive Forces, recently established in Beijing, is expected to serve as a key platform for academic exchange and technological collaboration

Despite notable progress in collaboration, concerns remain about whether the existing institutional arrangements are adequate for future demands. A major limitation is the absence of a permanent institutional framework to oversee STI cooperation. The current model—where leadership rotates annually with the presidency—is not well-suited for long-term planning. One possible solution is to adopt a model similar to the EU’s Horizon Programme by creating a centralised Secretariat responsible for managing funds, issuing research calls, tracking implementation, and evaluating outcomes.

Additionally, launching a few long-term mega-science projects could significantly deepen cooperation among members. Over time, the scope of STI collaboration should extend beyond project funding to include research on governance frameworks and the broader societal and economic implications of emerging technologies within BRICS+. Such efforts would improve coordination in international negotiations and strengthen institutional capacity for STI governance.

In conclusion, although BRICS has made considerable strides in STI cooperation since 2015 despite various constraints, substantial improvements are still needed. Strengthening the framework to make it more responsive, efficient, and credible will enhance the group’s global standing. As the incoming chair of BRICS+ in 2026, India is well-positioned to steer this transformation