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NEW DELHI — The government will launch the Partnerships for Accelerated Innovation and Research (PAIR) programme designed to elevate research capabilities in higher education institutions (HEIs) by linking top-tier research institutions with those where research capability is limited, creating a collaborative mentorship environment.
The decision was taken during the inaugural Governing Board meeting of the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) on Tuesday, Prof Abhay Karandikar, Secretary of the Department of Science and Technology, said.
During a press briefing following the meeting, Karandikar highlighted a crucial issue hindering India's research potential: less than 1 per cent of the nation's 40,000 HEIs are currently engaged in research activities.
"Through PAIR, ANRF will link top-tier research institutions with those where research capability is limited, creating a collaborative mentorship environment," he said.
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Today marks a new chapter for India’s scientific community. Chaired the first meeting of the Governing Board of Anusandhan National Research Foundation. This body will continue working towards ensuring a transformation of India’s research landscape, thus breaking new ground in…
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 10, 2024
The goal is to create a "Hub and Spoke" framework that will enable these institutions to systematically enhance their research excellence, he said.
Additionally, ANRF is set to launch the Mission for Advancement in High-impact Areas (MAHA) to focus on critical areas of research.
The programme, according to Karandikar, will "catalyse multi-institutional and multi-disciplinary collaborations to address scientific challenges".
Priority areas for immediate focus include electric vehicle mobility and advanced materials.
The ANRF, established through the Anusandhan National Research Foundation Act 2023, aims to propel India to the forefront of global scientific and technological advancement.
Karandikar, Secretary of the Department of Science and Technology, outlined ANRF's broad mission.
"ANRF is set to seed, grow and foster a culture of research and innovation throughout the country, with a focus on diverse fields, including natural sciences, engineering, technology, environmental and earth sciences and health," he said.
To further elevate India's global standing in scientific research, the ANRF will establish world-class Centres of Excellence under the ANRF Centre of Excellence (ACE) initiative.
These centres will offer substantial funding and state-of-the-art infrastructure, enabling Indian institutions to compete on the global stage. "We expect these centres to catalyse outstanding research achievements and raise the global rankings of Indian institutions," Karandikar said.
The ANRF also seeks to bridge the gap between research-based innovation and market-ready products.
The ANRF Translational Research and Innovation (ATRI) initiative aims to foster collaboration between academia and industry to accelerate technological innovation.
"The stage between research and market-ready products is often under-supported, and ANRF will play a critical role in bridging this gap," Karandikar stated.
In addition to these high-profile programmes, he said the ANRF is committed to supporting early-career researchers through enhanced project grants and a continuation of the National Postdoctoral Fellowship scheme. Furthermore, the foundation will promote international collaborations, providing Indian researchers with opportunities to work alongside their global counterparts.
Karandikar emphasised the importance of integrating sciences and engineering with the humanities and social sciences to solve India's complex societal challenges.
To this end, ANRF plans to create interdisciplinary Centres of Excellence aimed at developing comprehensive solutions to economic, environmental, and social problems.
The ANRF is also focused on streamlining the research process for Indian scientists.
"We are committed to facilitating the ease of doing research by implementing measures, such as rationalising funding heads, providing flexibility in hiring manpower and offering enhanced travel support for international conferences," Karandikar said.
Furthermore, research manpower emoluments under ANRF projects are set to increase, further incentivising India's talented researchers.