Since 1968, the Academy has been successfully collaborating with scientific academies/organizations abroad by exchanging research experience and scientific information. Such a relationship is achieved usually through bilateral cooperation i.e. exchange of scientific information and publications, exchange of scientist's visits, cooperative research projects, organization of joint symposia and other scientific activities. The Academy coordinates the exchange programme by facilitating contacts of individuals/scientific institutions in India with those of various foreign collaborating countries. To realize these objectives, the Academy has established Bilateral Agreement/Memorandum of Understanding with 47 Science Academies/Organizations in Europe, Asia, North America, South America and Latin America. Under the Exchange Programme, the visit of the scientists are exchanged under two categories- short term visits for 2-8 weeks and Long term/Fellowship visits upto 6 months. Generally, the senior scientists are nominated for short term visits for having discussion and interaction with Scientists in different Institutions and the young scientists are nominated for longer duration for having collaborative research/training preferably in one institute/laboratory abroad (for details see nomination of Indian scientists under Bilateral Exchange Programme).


In 1989, the Academy instituted the  Jawaharlal Nehru Birth Centenary Medal to be awarded annually for international cooperation in Science & Technology and for contributions to public understanding of Science. Scientists from all nations are eligible for consideration. The first award was made in 1990. The award carries a bronze medal and a citation. The travel and local expenses for the journey performed to deliver the award lecture will be paid to the awardee by the Academy. (for details see International awards)

The Academy, also in 1989 instituted the Jawaharlal Nehru Birth Centenary visiting Fellowship to commemorate Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru's commitment and sustained support for science. This Fellowship enables the Academy to project the achievements of Indian Science & Technology abroad. One Fellowship is awarded every third year to a distinguished Indian Scientist for delivering the series of Lectures abroad not restricted to countries with which the Academy has Exchange Programme( for details see International Visiting Fellowship).

Since 1976, the Indian National Science Academy and The Royal Society, London had been jointly organising the Blackett Memorial Lecture and the Sir J.C. Bose Memorial Lecture every two years alternately in India and the United Kingdom. The British scientists delivered the Blackett Memorial Lecture in India, whereas the Indian Scientists delivered the Sir J.C. Bose lecture in U.K (for details see International awards). From 2010 onwards, this lecture series has been discontinued.

Beginning 2005, the Academy in association with the French Academy of Sciences instituted “Etienne Wolff- Ramanujan Lecture Series” to be organised alternately in India and France . The Etienne Wolff Lecture is delivered by French scientist in India and the Ramanujan Lecture is delivered in France by the Indian scientist alternately.

To support and encourage the scientists and technologists from other developing countries to pursue their research and training in Indian scientific research institutions, the Academy jointly with the Sir Dorabji Tata Trust has instituted a INSA-JRD Tata Fellowship.20 Fellowships are supported annually under this programme. The Fellowship covers to and fro airfare, board and lodging at the affiliated institution/s and a maintenance allowance to meet the incidental and other miscellaneous expenses. Currently. this programme is coordinated by Centre for International Cooperation in Science, (CICS), Chennai (for details see www.ccstds.tn.nic.in)

An `INSA-KK Birla Foundation Asia Science Lecture series’ in association with the KK Birla Foundation, has been instituted to promote scientific understanding, interaction and cooperation in Asia by recognizing eminent researchers who have contributed significantly to S&T, education, health and economic development in the Asian region(for details see International Awards)

The Academy has been a member of the IAP-The Global Network of Science Academies ( earlier known as Inter-Academy Panel on International Issues – IAP), Inter-Academy Council (IAC), International Foundation for Science (IFS), Third World Network of Scientific Organization (TWNSO), Academy of Sciences for the Developing World (TWAS) and is playing an active role in promotion of science & technology in the Asian region by cooperating with the Federation of Asian Scientific Academies & Societies (FASAS), Science Council of Asia (SCA) established by Japan Science Council (SCJ), Association of the Academies of Sciences in Asia (AASA) established by Korean Academy of Science & Technology (KAST) and the (ASEAN) Academy of Science, Engineering and Technology and Similar National Organizations founded by Academy of Sciences Malaysia. (details may be seen in the website of the respective organizations/Academies at the given address)