NEW DELHI: A Bill to set up a national agency to fund research across universities in the country was passed by Parliament in the Monsoon Session. It would be a game changer in the realm of educational research.
When passed, it would be a game changer in the realm of educational research. The Anusandhan National Research Foundation Bill-2023 seeks to set up a ₹50,000-crore fund, with a sizeable contribution from the private sector, to “seed, grow and promote” research and development (R&D) and foster a culture of research and innovation throughout India’s universities, colleges, research institutions, and R&D laboratories.
The Bill seeks to set up different funds – the Anusandhan National Research Foundation Fund for the financing of activities under the Act; the Innovation Fund for supporting outstanding creativity in the areas supported by the foundation; the Science and Engineering Research Fund for the continuation of the projects and programmes initiated under the Science and Engineering Research Board Act, 2008; and one or more special-purpose funds for any specific project or research.
According to the government, the National Research Foundation will be an apex body to provide highlevel strategic direction of scientific research in the country as per recommendations of the National Education Policy (NEP).
NRF will forge collaborations among the industry, academia, and Government departments and research institutions, and create an interface mechanism for participation and contribution of industries and state governments in addition to the scientific and line ministries. NRF will focus on creating a policy framework and putting in place regulatory processes that can encourage collaboration and increased spending by the industry on R&D.
The NRF will have a governing board consisting of 15 to 25 eminent researchers and professionals, and it will be headed by the Prime Minister.
The Education Minister and the Science and Technology Minister will be the vice-presidents of the NRF. The proposed foundation will also have an executive council under the Principal Scientific Adviser.
