National Research Foundation is approved by the Union Cabinet to support R&D
According to Union Minister Anurag Thakur, the Union Cabinet on Wednesday adopted a bill to establish the National Research Foundation, a new financial organisation to support the nation’s research capabilities in the sciences and technologies.
He said that the Science and Engineering Research Board Act, 2008 would be replaced with the National Research Foundation Bill, 2023, in the forthcoming session of Parliament.
The Union Cabinet accepted a proposal to bring the law during a meeting presided over by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, according to Thakur. He said that up to 2027–2028, the government had set aside Rs 50,000 crore for research.
In a briefing to the Cabinet, the information and broadcasting minister stated that of this sum, the government will provide Rs 14,000 crore directly over the next five years while the remaining Rs 36,000 crore will come from foundations, businesses, and international research organisations.
The prime minister will serve as the chairman of the NRF’s governing board, which will be made up of 15 to 25 distinguished scholars and professionals.
According to Thakur, the planned foundation would also have an executive council reporting to the lead scientific adviser.
In India’s universities, colleges, research institutes, and R&D labs, it will sow, nurture, and encourage research and development (R&D) and foster a culture of research and innovation.
According to the minister, the planned foundation would emphasise “need-based” research and encourage cross-disciplinary study.
According to Thakur, the NRF will assist in funding research in the social sciences, environmental and Earth sciences, engineering, and technological disciplines. “Funds would be provided by the NRF and priority would be given to high impact areas,” he said.
The minister said that this choice would benefit startups as well as the present and future of India.
According to the National Education Policy’s (NEP) directives, the NRF will serve as the country’s supreme body for high-level strategic direction of scientific research.
In addition to creating an interface mechanism for the involvement and contribution of companies and state governments in addition to the scientific and line ministries, NRF will develop partnerships between the industry, academia, government agencies, and research institutes. According to a statement, it would concentrate on developing a legislative framework and putting in place regulatory procedures that may promote cooperation and greater industry expenditure on R&D.
