Bangalore: Hewlett Packard (HP) has selected professors from all over the world to award them, as part of its second HP Labs Innovation Research Program. Sixty projects from 46 universities across 12 countries will receive awards from HP Labs, the company's central research arm.

The Innovation Research Program pursues research collaborations with top researchers and entrepreneurs in academia, the government and businesses worldwide. All the projects are aligned with HP Labs' focus on eight high-impact research themes.

HP increased the number of projects it will finance by more than 30 percent, up from 45 projects at 35 institutions in 2008. It also extended a second year of funding to 31 professors in 2009. "Good ideas can strike anywhere and at any time. HP has recognized this and developed a unique program that is truly open, competitive and global," said Kang Shin, Professor and Award Winner, University of Michigan. "This groundbreaking initiative enhances the teaching and learning experience at universities, and establishes HP as a valuable technology partner for higher education."

HP Labs Innovation Research Awards provide project funding of up to $100,000 for one year to each academic institution, which is renewed every three years depending on research progress and HP's business requirements.

Awardees will be able to work with HP Labs' researchers on areas such as intelligent infrastructure, immersive interaction and cloud computing. "The Innovation Research Program is a core pillar of HP's advanced research strategy. It allows the company to tap the brightest minds all over the world to tackle the most challenging issues facing the technical community," said Prith Banerjee, Senior Vice President, Research, HP, and Director, HP Labs. The next request for proposals is planned for spring 2010.