Pratiksha Trust
Status: ongoing
Student project: No
Total duration of the project: 5 years
Source of funding: extramural
Project Overview
Bridging Minds, Shared Mission: NIMHANS–Liverpool Partnership supported by Pratiksha Trust
Development of NIMHANS- University of Liverpool partnership
Established in 2013, the partnership between NIMHANS and the University of Liverpool is a flagship international collaboration driving innovation in brain and mental health research. Anchored by a dual PhD programme and robust support for early career researchers, the alliance has secured prestigious fellowships from Welcome-DBT, the Royal Society, and the Newton Fund.
With major funding from the UK’s NIHR and MRC, the partnership focuses on three critical translational themes: Brain Infections, Epilepsy, and Maternal & Child Mental Health. Its research has contributed to saving over 200,000 lives in India and globally.
Now strengthened by support from the Pratiksha Trust, the collaboration is expanding into new frontiers—supporting the next generation of researchers and pioneering work in Brain Imaging, Basic Neuroscience, and Child & Maternal Health.
Tripartite agreement between Pratiksha Trust and National Institute of Mental Health & Neurosciences (NIMHANS) and University of Liverpool was signed formally on 7th November 2023.
About Pratiksha Trust
Pratiksha Trust is a philanthropic initiative of the Kris Gopalakrishnan Family Office, committed to fostering excellence in research, development, and innovation. The Trust supports research institutions and initiatives across healthcare and science - driving transformative impact for society through long-term investment in knowledge and human potential.
Mission
To foster academic exchange between the two Institutes promoting research and education based upon principles of mutual equality and the reciprocity of benefits
Mr Kris Gopalakrishnan
- Born on 5 April 1955 in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala
- M Tech in Computer Science from IIT Madras
- Co-founder of Infosys, among the first technology companies in India that heralded today’s age of technology expertise and innovation
- Awarded with Padma Bhushan by Government of India in 2011
- Served as CEO and Managing Director of Infosys from 2007-2011
- Serving as Chairman/Board of governors in various research/education institutions
Serving as Chairperson/President in some industry/government bodies
Flagship Initiatives supported by Pratiksha Trust
Dual PhD Program
Joint Research. Global Mentorship.
A collaborative program allowing scholars to pursue Dual PhD jointly supervised by NIMHANS and University of Liverpool
Who are eligible?
Any PhD scholar registered at NIMHANS under institute stipendiary category is eligible to apply for Dual PhD program
If the student is selected for the Dual PhD program, one must clear IELTS examination for admission at University of Liverpool How many PhD students are supported by this grant?
One PhD student shall be funded each year from each partner institute
What is the duration of the Dual PhD program?
The duration of the Dual PhD program remains same as regular PhD at NIMHANS. After completion of the first year (Pre-PhD year), the student will spend two years at NIMHANS and two years at University of Liverpool as per the requirement of the research work and subject to the respective supervisors
What expenses will be funded under this program?
The program funds travel (airfare and insurance), tuition fee, stipend (as per respective Institute rate for the corresponding year), and other approved research-related expenses.
Accommodation expenses has to be borne by the student.
How to apply for the Dual PhD program?
Application details will be shared to all faculty and students every year when advertised
Pre-existing collaborations of guides with researchers at University of Liverpool will be an added advantage
Early Career Research Fellowship (ECRF) Program
Supporting the Next Generation of Researchers
This fellowship supports early-career researchers in establishing and enabling them to pursue innovative and high-impact projects.
Who are eligible?
Faculty (Assistant and Associate Professors, Scientist D and E) after completion of 2 year probationary period are eligible for this program
How many ECRFs are supported by this grant per year?
Four ECRFs are supported for each year by the grant subject to availability of mentors at University of Liverpool
What is the duration of the ECRF program?
The minimum period is 40 days and maximum period is 90 days for the ECRF program depending on individual research work requirements
What expenses will be funded under this program?
The program funds travel (airfare and insurance), accommodation and other approved research-related expenses.
How to apply for the ECRF program?
The application form will be shared to all faculty every year in March/April. Eligible faculty can apply for the fellowship program. The Joint committee from NIMHANS and University of Liverpool will access the applications and shortlist the candidates for interview and selection.
Senior Research Fellowship (SRF) Program
This fellowship supports early-career researchers in establishing and enabling them to pursue innovative and high-impact projects.
Who are eligible?
Senior faculty (Additional Professors/Professors/Scientist F) are eligible for this programHow many SRFs are supported by this grant per year?
Four SRFs are supported for each year by the grant subject to availability of mentors at University of LiverpoolWhat is the duration of the SRF program?
The minimum period is 30 days and maximum period is 60 days for the ECRF program depending on individual research work requirementsWhat expenses will be funded under this program?
The program funds travel (airfare and insurance), accommodation and other approved research-related expenses.- How to apply for the SRF program?
The application form will be shared to all faculty every year in March/April.
Eligible faculty can apply for the fellowship program.
The Joint committee from NIMHANS and University of Liverpool will access the applications and shortlist the candidates for interview and selection.
Annual Symposium
Showcasing Ideas & Fostering collaborations
Annual Symposium is an event that brings together fellows, researchers, and institutional partners to share research progress, explore emerging ideas, and build meaningful academic networks.
The symposium features presentations from funded scholars, keynote lectures, and panel discussions across disciplines. It serves as a platform to foster and explore interdisciplinary collaboration, and the exchange of innovative research.
Participation is by invitation and includes fellows, faculty, collaborators, and resource persons from both the institutions.
Dual PhD Recipients
- For the academic year 2024-25
Ms Ananta Khare
PhD scholar
Department of Clinical Psychology
NIMHANS
Title of the work: Impact of Parenting Behaviours on the Development of Children’s Empathy and Prosocial Behaviours: A Longitudinal Cross-Cultural Study in UK and Indian Contexts
Guide at NIMHANS:
Dr Poornima Bhola
Professor
Department of Clinical Psychology
NIMHANS
Guide at UoL:
Dr Helen Sharp
Professor of Perinatal and Child and Adolescent Clinical Psychology
Department of Primary Care and Mental Health
University of Liverpool
- For the academic year 2025-26
Ms Maria Jose
PhD scholar
Department of Neurovirology
NIMHANS
Proposed work: To establish the mechanism of activation of ILC during in-vitro CHIKV infection Innate lymphoid cells (ILCs) are a recent addition to the family of innate immune cells
Guide at NIMHANS:
Dr Manjunatha M Venkataswamy
Associate Professor
Department of Neurovirology Nimhans
Guide at UoL:
Dr Lance Turtle
Chair in Immunity and Infectious
Diseases Honorary Consultant
Physician in Infectious Diseases, Deputy Head of Department,
Clinical Infection, Microbiology and Immunology
University of Liverpool
Early Career Research fellowship recipients
- For the year 2024-25
Proposed work: To establish a state-of-the-art small animal imaging core facility in NIMHANS to conduct preclinical imaging and translational research in mental health and Neurosciences. To visit the University of Liverpool to learn the best practices in utilizing multimodal animal imaging in preclinical and translational research.
Dr Manoj Kumar
Associate Professor
Department of Neuro Imaging and Interventional Radiology
NIMHANS
Supervisor at UoL:
Dr Harish Poptani
Professor and Chair
Centre for Preclinical Imaging
Department of Molecular and Clinical Cancer Medicine
University of Liverpool
Supervisor at NIMHANS:
Dr Aravinda HR
Professor and Head
Department of Neuroimaging & Interventional Radiology
NIMHANS
Proposed work: Cross cultural measurement, screening and identification of postpartum anxiety in primary care settings in Bangalore, South India: A grant development fellowship
Dr Vicky Fallon
Senior Lecturer
Department of Psychology
University of Liverpool
Supervisors at NIMHANS:
Dr Prabha S Chandra
Dean, Behavioural Senior Professor Department of Psychiatry
NIMHANS
Dr Veena Satyanarayana
Sciences Additional Professor Department of Clinical Psychology
NIMHANS
Supervisor at UoL:
Dr Helen Sharp
Professor of Perinatal and Child and Adolescent Clinical Psychology
Department of Primary Care and Mental Health
University of Liverpool
Senior Research fellowship recipients
- For the year 2024-25
Proposed work: Developing a statistical model to understand the role of micronutrients and cortisol on maternal stress and pregnancy and infant outcomes through learning from longitudinal cohort.
Dr Sundarnag Ganjekar
Additional Professor
Department of Psychiatry
NIMHANS
Supervisor at UoL:
Dr Helen Sharp
Professor of Perinatal and Child and Adolescent Clinical Psychology
Department of Primary Care and Mental Health
University of Liverpool
Supervisor at NIMHANS:
Dr Prabha S Chandra
Dean, Behavioural Sciences
Senior Professor
Department of Psychiatry
NIMHANS
Proposed work: Addressing inequalities in dementia diagnosis and care in India
Dr Clarissa Geibel
Department of Primary care and Mental Health
University of Liverpool
Supervisor at NIMHANS:
Dr Suvarna Alladi
Professor and Head
Department of Neurology
NIMHANS
Dr Priya Thomas
Additional Professor
Department of
Psychiatric Social Work
NIMHANS
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