Indian alumni have joined forces with Imperial College to launch a programme of new scholarships for Indian postgraduates to study here. The College and its Indian supporters association, the Imperial College India Foundation, established the Imperial College India Foundation PhD Scholarships earlier this month.   The Scholarships, launched during the President and Rector’s visit to India at the beginning of January, are aimed at academically outstanding Indian students who have not already completed a degree at a higher education institution outside India and will focus on supporting those in financial need. Students will be given access to world class academic training and support throughout their PhD, which can help them contribute to society, industry and academia upon their return to India. The College’s President and Rector, Sir Keith O’Nions, said: "Imperial is proud to have an association with India and Indian higher education institutions which goes back many decades. The generosity of our Indian alumni, in supporting gifted postgraduates through these new scholarships, helps us build on this for the future.” Imperial alumnus Cyrus Mistry, Chairman of Tata Sons, who also sits on the board of the Imperial College India Foundation, said: "Talented leaders in science, technology and business will have an essential role to play in India’s future. As Imperial College alumni, we are delighted we can support some of these future leaders by giving them the opportunity to study at our alma mater and benefit from the same educational experience and opportunities we enjoyed.” The launch of the scholarships coincided with a week long trip by Sir Keith O’Nions to India this month to meet alumni and representatives of government and industry. The deadline for the scholarships is 29 March 2013.