UK Minister Javid launches 2016 Chevening Rolls Royce Science and Innovation Leadership fellowship

Sajid Javid, the United Kingdom's Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, launched the application window for the 2016 Chevening Rolls-Royce Science and Innovation Leadership Fellowship on September 11 here.

In a gala event on the side lines of the annual 'India - UK Business Convention 2015', Javid announced the programme aimed at mid-career professionals in the fields of science, innovation and business from India and Sri Lanka.

The fellowship is jointly funded by the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office and Rolls-Royce. Present at the launch were Chevening alumni, researchers, scientists and senior corporate professionals.

The fellowship offers 14 (12 from India and 2 from Sri Lanka) senior science and innovation professionals with links to public policy, an 11-week (13 April to 24 June 2016) study programme at the University of Oxford's Said Business School. Each fellowship includes: Full programme fees Living expenses for the duration of the Fellowship

Return economy flight from India or Sri Lanka to the UK

Speaking at the function, Javid said, "Chevening scholarship in India is now the largest in the world. We are offering over 130 fully-funded, scholarships and fellowships. I am delighted to announce the next stage of this relationship - the 2016 Chevening Rolls-Royce Science and Innovation Leadership Fellowship in program (CRISP). The programme is about building collaborations between Britain and India. It is open to Indians leading in business, science and innovation. During the 11 weeks in the UK, those selected will work with the best British academicians and practitioners. You can exchange ideas, refresh your skills, build networks and you can then return to India filled with energy and ideas which will enable you to deal with challenges that we all face in our respective countries."

Kishore Jayaraman, President, India and South Asia, Rolls-Royce, said, "As India continues to make great strides towards achieving its socio-economic aspirations, we must continue to nurture our future generations. The CRISP is an excellent way to identify and develop future leaders who are at their mid-career and help them broaden their global outlook to power India's socio-economic transformation. At Rolls-Royce, we want to go beyond philanthropy to find innovative ways to properly link industry with scientific and technical excellence for the long-term, and for the benefit of us all.