ICTP, IITM Agree to Climate Research and Training Collaboration

ICTP and the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM) have signed a research and training agreement paving the way for researchers from both institutes to collaborate on activities in the fields of weather, Earth and climate science. In addition to research activities, the agreement calls for an annual conference held alternatively at ICTP and in India, as well as two fellowships in ICTP's Sandwich Training Educational Programme (STEP) for PhD students.

"Natural phenomena like the monsoon or heat waves do not respect human geopolitical boundaries. To tackle a global challenge like climate change necessarily requires a collective, global response. In this context, the need for cooperative and open science has never been greater," said ICTP Director Atish Dabholkar. "ICTP continues to serve as a lighthouse for global sciences, helping to address planetary-scale challenges and building scientific capacity. We welcome this collaboration opportunity with IITM."

India faces more frequent heatwaves that will intensify drought risks and threaten water security, among other key climate concerns including more erratic monsoons, according to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).

The new agreement between ICTP and IITM brings together two research centres at the forefront of climate research. ICTP's Earth System Physics (ESP) section has made significant scientific contributions to the IPCC; its regional climate models continue to play an important role in climate assessments. IITM is a premier scientific research institute in India working at the frontiers of science and technology in various aspects of the ocean-atmosphere system to improve weather and climate forecasts.

The agreement comes as India invests in its Mission Mausam, an initiative led by the country's Ministry of Earth Sciences that aims to improve weather surveillance using advanced radars, satellites, AI, and supercomputers to provide more precise forecasts and mitigate climate change impacts.

Signed on 5 May 2026, the ICTP-IITM agreement formalises a long-standing relationship between the two organisations that spans decades. Past activities have included annual targeted training activities on monsoons, co-organised by the Ministry of Earth Sciences, which administers IITM, and scientists in ICTP's Earth System Physics section.

The agreement is in line with ICTP's mission to be an international science hub for free scientific exchange.  It also underscores a key pillar in the Centre's new strategic plan to strengthen ties with scientific partners across the globe, forming an International Science Alliance. The Alliance acknowledges the growth of strong scientific communities in many developing regions and seeks to harness it for collective advancement.

"This new agreement can become a blueprint for international science cooperation where both parties benefit," said Dabholkar, adding, "We are happy to have IITM and the Indian Ministry of Earth Sciences as our partners."

Recent Alliance agreements have been reached with Slovenia and Romania, along with major foundations such as the Kuwait Fund for the Advancement of Science, the Simons Foundation, the Arab Fund for Economic and Social Development, and the Wilhelm and Else Heraeus Foundation.