Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) Bill

Context: In 2023, both Houses of Parliament passed the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) Bill.

Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) Bill

• Origin: Presented in the Lok Sabha on August 4, 2023.
  • Repealed the Science and Engineering Research Board Act, 2008.
  • Dissolved the existing Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB).
  • Established the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (NRF) as the new entity.
• Aim: To increase private sector contributions to research in India.
  • To ensure that a larger portion of government funds go to state universities and colleges.
• Administered by: Department of Science and Technology (DST)
• Functions of NRF:
  • Develops short-term, medium-term, and long-term research roadmaps.
  • Supports R&D growth and infrastructure in educational and research institutions.
  • Allocates grants for research proposals.
  • Facilitates the commercialization of research.
  • Promotes international research collaborations.
  • Attracts investments from both private and public sectors.
  • Conducts annual surveys on research outcomes and expenditures.
• Funding Mechanisms: Funded through:
  • Government grants and loans.
  • Investment income.
  • Funds from the Science and Engineering Research Fund established under the 2008 Act.
• Specific Funds established:
  • NRF Fund for administrative costs.
  • Innovation Fund for creative projects.
  • Science and Engineering Research Fund for ongoing projects.
  • Special purpose funds for specific projects or research.
• Governance Structure:
  • Governed by a Board chaired by the Prime Minister of India.
  • Vice Presidents include the Union Ministers of Science and Technology, and Education.
  • Principal Scientific Advisor acts as the Member Secretary.
  • Board members include Secretaries of various scientific departments.
  • Board composition can be expanded to include up to five industry representatives, one social sciences and humanities expert, and up to six specialists in natural sciences, engineering, and technology.
• Executive Leadership: A Chief Executive Officer, with at least the rank of an Additional Secretary, may be appointed by the President of the Board.
• Executive Council Functions:
  • Led by the Principal Scientific Advisor.
  • Comprises secretaries from key government departments.
  • Responsibilities include:
    • Reviewing financial assistance applications.
    • Setting regulations for financial aid applications and extensions.
    • Managing the Foundation’s budget and accounts.
    • Authorising inspections to verify grant application details.

• Accountability: The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) conducts annual audits of the Foundation’s accounts.

Expectations and Community Reception

The scientific community had a positive reception, expecting the ANRF to provide:

• Autonomy from bureaucratic constraints.
• Increased funding.
• Collaboration opportunities with industry.

Challenges Faced by the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF)

• Lack of Adequate Representation: The Governing Board and Executive Council lack members from the very universities and colleges they aim to support, despite over 95% of Indian students attending these institutions.
  • The current makeup includes primarily high-ranking officials from various government science departments and a few academic elites, without representation from central or state universities.
• Inadequate Industry Representation: Out of significant planned funding from non-government sources (over 70%), the board includes only one industry representative, Romesh T. Wadhwani, highlighting a major gap in industry-academia collaboration.
• Underfunding: R&D funding in India is below needed levels.
• Bureaucratic and Structural Inefficiencies: The ANRF’s operational framework suffers from bureaucratic delays and lacks the flexibility needed for efficient management of funds and resources.
  • The existence of multiple committees could lead to confusion and inefficiencies in decision-making.

Recommendations for Improvement

• The ANRF should ensure:
  • Diverse representation includes more women, young entrepreneurs, and active scientists from the university system.
  • The future CEO should have a background in both industry and academia, capable of understanding and integrating global innovation ecosystems.
• Structural changes are suggested to avoid the inefficiencies typical of other government science departments, promoting a more integrated approach between research and teaching.
• Current funding mechanisms are seen as inadequate, requiring:
  • An increase in the R & D budget to 4% of GDP.
  • A more efficient grant management system.
  • Less bureaucratic red tape in fund disbursal and spending.

Sharing is caring!