Over a century ago, an unknown Indian mathematician named Srinivasa Ramanujan wrote a letter that would change the course of mathematics forever. His correspondence with British scholar G.H. Hardy in 1913 led to a partnership that reshaped modern mathematical thought. Now, more than 100 years later, India and the United Kingdom are honouring that spirit of discovery through a new initiative: the Ramanujan Junior Researchers Programme. The fellowship will enable young Indian physicists and mathematicians to conduct joint research with scholars at the London Institute for Mathematical Sciences (LIMS). Launched during UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s visit to India, the programme reflects a renewed commitment to scientific cooperation between two nations whose intellectual bond traces back to the genius of Ramanujan.

A Fellowship That Builds Bridges Through Science

The Ramanujan Junior Researchers Programme is supported by India’s Department of Science and Technology (DST)and the London Institute for Mathematical Sciences, located within the historic Royal Institution in Mayfair, London  the same institution where many major scientific discoveries were made, including the identification of several chemical elements and the principles of electromagnetism. The idea follows the success of LIMS’s previous fellowships for researchers from Russia and Ukraine, reinforcing its commitment to fostering global scientific dialogue.

Nurturing India’s Next Generation of Scientific Leaders

The fellowship is designed to identify and support India’s most promising young researchers. In the first phase, the DST will fund PhD students called Ramanujan Junior Visitors from the Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research (JNCASR) in Bengaluru. Up to six students will be selected to spend several months at LIMS, where they will attend lectures, participate in seminars, and collaborate with world-class scientists. 

The goal is not just academic learning but the development of global research perspectives, teamwork, and innovation. In the second phase, the program will evolve into Ramanujan Junior Fellowships, three-year research positions open to early-career scientists across India. These fellowships will allow young researchers to work closely with their British counterparts, exploring advanced topics in physics, mathematics, and theoretical sciences. By nurturing early-stage talent, the program seeks to create a pipeline of Indian researchers capable of contributing to frontier discoveries while representing the country on the global stage.

Science Through Friendship and Dialogue

The fellowship was championed by Vikram Doraiswami, India’s High Commissioner to the UK, along with Professor Krishnaswamy Vijay Raghavan, the former Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India. The London Institute for Mathematical Sciences (LIMS), though modern in outlook, sits inside the Royal Institution, one of the oldest homes of scientific innovation in Britain. Over the centuries, it has been associated with the discoveries of Michael Faraday, Humphry Davy, and many Nobel laureates. 

Today, LIMS continues that tradition by offering full-time theoretical research opportunities without the distractions of teaching or administrative duties. It is here that India’s young scientists will walk the same halls that once witnessed groundbreaking experiments, blending tradition with innovation. For many students, it will be their first experience of international collaboration, a chance to exchange ideas, engage in deep theoretical work, and be mentored by leading scientists in Europe.

Carrying Ramanujan’s Flame Forward

For India’s scientific community, the fellowship carries an emotional weight that goes beyond research. Ramanujan’s journey from a self-taught genius in Tamil Nadu to one of the greatest mathematicians in history continues to inspire generations. By naming the fellowship after him, India and the UK are symbolically reigniting that torch of collaboration. Just as Ramanujan’s equations bridged continents, this program aims to bridge cultures and generations. It also sends a strong message to young Indian students: that brilliance knows no borders, and that with the right opportunities, ideas from small towns and universities in India can shape the future of global science. The Ramanujan Junior Researchers Programme arrives at a time when both nations are seeking deeper scientific partnerships in areas like quantum technology, artificial intelligence, and sustainable energy.

A New Equation for the Future

More than a century after Ramanujan’s legendary equations captivated the world, his legacy is once again opening doors for young Indian scientists. The Ramanujan Junior Researchers Programme is more than a fellowship; it is a bridge between past and future, between two nations, and between human intellect and imagination. In every young researcher who walks into LIMS with curiosity and courage, Ramanujan’s spirit lives on, proving that the pursuit of knowledge is, and always will be, a global endeavor.