The National Research Foundation (NRF)

June 29, 2023

Why in News?

The Union Cabinet approved the National Research Foundation (NRF) Bill 2023, which will establish NRF as an apex body to provide high-level strategic direction to scientific research in the country.
The Bill was necessary because current laws made it hard for private research organisations to contribute to a funding body such as the NRF.

What’s in Today’s Article?

Salient Features of the NRF Bill 2023:

It will pave the way to establish NRF that will seed, grow and promote R&D and foster a culture of research and innovation throughout India’s universities, colleges, research institutions and R&D laboratories.
The proposed Bill also repeals the Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB) established by Parliament in 2008 and subsumes it into the NRF.
- The SERB is the Department of Science and Technology’s (DST) main funding body and is responsible for funding S&T start-ups, setting up incubators and funding science-related projects in central and state universities

What is NRF?

As per the recommendations of the National Education Policy (NEP), NRF will be established at a total estimated cost of ₹50,000 crore from 2023-28.
- The government will contribute ₹10,000 crore over five years and close to ₹36,000 crore is expected to come from the private sector (as investments into research).
The DST would be an “administrative” department of NRF that would be governed by a Governing Board.
- The Prime Minister will be the ex-officio President of the Board and the Union Minister of Science & Technology and Union Minister of Education will be the ex-officio Vice-Presidents.
- The Governing Board will also consist of eminent researchers and professionals across disciplines.
NRF’s functioning will be governed by an Executive Council chaired by the Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India.

What is the Objective Behind Creating NRF?

To ensure that scientific research was conducted and funded equitably and greater participation from the private sector was forthcoming.
- Currently, eminent institutions like the IITs and IISc get a bulk of research funding but State universities get very little (~10%) of the research funds.
The NRF will prioritise research funding and the Executive Council will decide on what areas need support.
NRF will forge collaborations among the industry, academia, and government departments and research institutions.
It will 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.

Significance of NRF:

Democratisation of science funding: NRF will emphasise the funding of projects in peripheral, rural and semi-urban areas, which are neglected and never receive funding for science projects.
Finding solutions to the big problems facing Indian society: The NRF would promote research not just in the natural sciences and engineering, but also in social sciences, arts and humanities.
Provides an efficient and integrated management system: For the implementation of the missions such as the supercomputer mission or the quantum mission.

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