Centre To Set Up National Research Foundation To Fund, Promote R&D In Universities and Institutions

New Delhi, June 28: The Centre on Wednesday cleared a proposal to introduce a bill in the Monsoon session of Parliament that will foster a culture of research and innovation throughout India’s universities, colleges, research institutions, and R&D laboratories.

The National Research Foundation (NRF) Bill, 2023 seeks to set up the said foundation that will seed, grow and promote R&D in these institutions with an outlay of Rs 50,000 crore during the five year period till 2028.

The proposal was cleared in a meeting of the Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

“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. It 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,” said a government statement.

The proposed NRF will be an apex body to provide high-level strategic direction of scientific research in the country as per recommendations of the National Education Policy (NEP). The Department of Science and Technology will be the administrative Department of NRF which will be governed by a Governing Board consisting of eminent researchers and professionals across disciplines.

The Prime Minister will be the ex-officio President of the Board and the Union Minister of Science & Technology & Union Minister of Education will be the ex-officio Vice-Presidents. NRF’s functioning will be governed by an Executive Council chaired by the Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India.