The Anusandhan National Research Foundation Act, 2023

Policy Update
Geetam Acharya

Introduction

The National Research Foundation (NRF) stands as a cornerstone of research excellence, spearheading ground-breaking initiatives that contribute to the advancement of knowledge and technology. Established with a clear vision, the NRF plays a crucial role in supporting and funding innovative projects. By cultivating a dynamic research ecosystem that encourages collaboration among academia, industry, and government entities, the NRF ensures that the outcomes of research extend beyond theoretical realms, directly impacting industries and society. Through strategic investments and a commitment to fostering emerging talent, the NRF continues to be a driving force in propelling the nation toward scientific and technological leadership.

The National Research Foundation Bill was introduced in the Lok Sabha for the first time on 4th August 2023. Thereafter the Anusandhan National Research Foundation was established in the Parliament. The Act requires a financial research ecosystem, and open scientific research activities for the private sector in India following the National Education Policy guideline. It will repeal the Science and Engineering Research Board Act, 2008, and dissolve the Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB) established by an act of Parliament in 2008.

Functions

Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) will be the apex body in the country to provide strategic direction for research, innovation, and entrepreneurship in the fields of: (i) natural sciences including mathematics, (ii) engineering and technology, (iii) environmental and earth sciences, (iv) health and agriculture, and (v) scientific and technological interfaces of humanities and social sciences.

Key functions of NRF include:

preparing short-term, medium-term, and long-term roadmaps and formulating programs for research and development (R&D),
facilitating and financing the growth of R&D and related infrastructure in universities, colleges, and research institutions,
providing grants for research proposals,
supporting the translation of research into capital-intensive technology,
encouraging international collaboration,
encouraging investments in the Foundation by private and public sector entities,
undertaking annual surveys of scientific research, outcomes, and spending.

History

One of the most notable developments in the Department of Science and Technology (S&T) in the 9th Five Year Plan of India has been the setting up of the Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB) through an Act of Parliament, viz. the Science and Engineering Research Board Act, 2008. The primary and unique mandates of the Board are to promote basic research in Science and Engineering and to offer financial support to individuals conducting such research, academic institutions, R&D laboratories, industrial concerns, and other agencies for such research and matters related or incidental thereto. SERB aims to build up the best management systems that would match the best global

The NRF, however, proposes a more expansive definition of research which includes science, engineering, information technology, liberal arts, social sciences, and the humanities. The SERB only envisaged funding research, whereas the NRF can fund and receive money from private sources, and philanthropic and international organizations. With the repeal of the SERB, all the funds available to it will now be available to the NRF.

While the Science and Engineering Research Board’s (SERB) transition to NRF represents a significant shift in the priority of research funding in India, several significant initiatives like doubling private sector R&D investment, increasing the number of full-time researchers, promoting women’s participation, and National repository of STI Data are under consideration to foster innovation and research in the country.

Emerging Issues

One of the significant challenges that India faces, is in terms of insufficient funding to the Research sector. The Private sector funding to Research plays a major role in the development of the Science & Technology industry of a country.

In countries like China, Japan, South Korea, and the US, the private sector contributed for a significant 70% of the Research expenditure. Whereas, in India, the private sector contributed a mere 36% (Rs, 1.2 lakh crore*) in the year 2019-20. About 70% of India’s research funds were taken up by the Defense Research and Development Organization, the Department of Space (DoS), the Department of Atomic Energy, and the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR). The Ministry of Science and Technology, the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), and the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) garnered about 20%.

Way Forward

While the concept of private funding for research gains traction, it’s noteworthy that philanthropy-funded research centers are gradually emerging. However, their prevalence remains limited. Additionally, state governments and the public sector’s contribution to Gross expenditure on Research & Development (GERD), currently around 10%, must witness substantial growth to fortify the research ecosystem.

NRF-funded research will open new doors for corporations to establish merchants of doubt to delegitimize publicly funded science. The corporates would leverage the NRF to become the guardians of reason. The NRF projects will offer legitimacy to the evidence-building for the creation of markets for their brave technological solutions to the problems of Indian poverty and sustainability. The NRF Bill, 2023 seeks to replace the publicly funded mechanism of research support to the scientific community through the Science and Engineering Board (SERB) Act, 2008 with a mechanism expected to be largely directed by the funds available through corporate sector and philanthropic foundations.

At the heart of the NRF’s mission is the pursuit of solutions to contemporary challenges on both a national and global scale. The foundation actively engages in international collaborations, recognizing the interconnected nature of many issues. By facilitating knowledge exchange and leveraging collective efforts, the NRF contributes to a shared pool of expertise aimed at addressing pressing global concerns.

References

About the Contributor:

Geetam Acharya is a Research Intern at IMPRI and an undergraduate student at Sri Venkateswara College, University of Delhi with a keen interest in Political Science and International Relations.