UK-India Education and Research Initiative (UKIERI) is a new initiative, which aims to create a 'step change' in educational relations between India and the UK over the next five years, so that in the longer term the two countries become each other's partner of choice in education.

UKIERI was announced by the Prime Minister Tony Blair during his visit to India in September 2005, and launched by him in April 2006. Its progress has been welcomed by both the Prime Ministers during their meeting in October 2006.

The three main strands of the initiative are – Higher Education and Research, Schools and Professional and Technical Skills. The Initiative also presents an opportunity for high level dialogue between the two countries on areas of mutual policy interest such as quality assurance, international standards and credit recognition schemes.

By strengthening institution to institution collaboration and promoting stronger links to industry and related communities, this initiative is trying to lead ultimately to India and the UK being each other's preferred partner. The initiative is flexible and responsive to the needs of these partners so that good ideas that contribute to relevance, sustainability and impact of the partnerships are welcomed. Proposals are peer reviewed but the proposal, selection and implementation requirements are minimal, with excellence, relevance to the UK and India, quality of planning being important criteria.

Under the initiative, United Kingdom has pledged ₤23 million through contributions by the Department for Innovation and Skills, Office of Science and Innovation, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, the British Council and devolved authorities of Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.

The private sector has added significantly to this contribution through the 4 corporate champions BAE, BP, GSK and Shell. Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India has also pledged matching funding for science related collaboration under the initiative.