The National Research Foundation (NRF) is an autonomous body under the Department of Science and Technology (DST) of the Indian government. It is responsible for funding, promoting and consolidating research in India and fostering innovation within the academia. The Union Budget 2023-24 has allocated Rs. 2,000 crore for the NRF, which is expected to boost research and innovation in India.
Origins of National Research Foundation:
The idea of setting up a National Research Foundation in India has been a long-standing one, with researchers in the nation recognizing the need for a body to catalyze and coordinate research across the country. This idea was one of the key recommendations of the Draft National Education Policy 2019, commissioned by the Ministry of Human Resource Development in 2017.
Need for National Research Foundation:
The pressing need for a professional and comprehensive research framework in India, as articulated in the National Education Policy 2019, is driven by various factors. The National Research Foundation aims to address these obstacles and direct human and material resources towards well-coordinated research across disciplines and institutions.
Support from the Indian Government:
The need for the NRF has been emphasized by the Honourable Prime Minister of India, the Honourable President of India, and the Honourable Finance Minister in their respective addresses. A meeting was held at NITI Aayog in August 2019 with representatives from various Ministries, Departments, industry, and academia to discuss the creation of the NRF.
Objectives of the National Research Foundation:
The NRF has been proposed with the aim of enabling a culture of research and innovation across disciplines in India’s universities, colleges, research institutions, and R&D laboratories. The primary objectives of the NRF are to:
- Fund competitive peer-reviewed grant proposals across all disciplines and institutions
- Seed, grow and facilitate research at academic institutions, particularly in universities and colleges
- Fund research infrastructure and equipment
- Increase India’s investment in research and innovation
- Promote interdisciplinary research
- Mentor institutions in research and innovation
