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Context: The Anusandhan National Research Foundation Bill 2023 was tabled in the Lok Sabha by the Union Ministry of Science and Technology. The Bill aims to establish the Anusandhan National Research Foundation to provide high-level strategic direction for research, innovation and entrepreneurship in the fields of natural sciences including mathematical sciences, engineering and technology, environmental and earth sciences.

Details

• The Anusandhan National Research Foundation Bill 2023 seeks to establish a new body, the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (NRF), to promote and fund research and innovation in science, technology, engineering and social sciences. The NRF will replace the existing Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB), which was created by the Science and Engineering Research Board Act 2008.
  • The Bill states that the SERB Act will be repealed and the SERB will be dissolved upon the commencement of the NRF Act.
• The Bill aims to create a robust research ecosystem in India by supporting researchers across disciplines and institutions, fostering collaboration and excellence, and enhancing the quality and impact of research outcomes.

Functions of NRF

• Prepare short-term, medium-term, and long-term roadmaps and formulate programs for research and development (R&D) in natural sciences, engineering and technology, environmental and earth sciences, health and agriculture, and scientific and technological interfaces of humanities and social sciences.
• Facilitate and finance the growth of R&D and related infrastructure in universities, colleges, and research institutions through grants, fellowships, scholarships, awards, prizes, etc.
• Support translation of research into capital-intensive technology by providing financial assistance for proof-of-concept development, prototyping, testing, validation, scaling up, etc.
• Encourage international collaboration by facilitating the exchange of researchers, students, faculty members, etc. and participating in joint research projects with foreign institutions.
• Encourage investments in the Foundation by private and public sector entities by creating an enabling environment for philanthropy, corporate social responsibility, endowments, etc.
• Undertake an annual survey of scientific research, outcomes, and spending in India and benchmark them with global standards.

The NRF will have four main sources of funding

• Grants and loans from the central government, which will be the primary source of funding for the NRF.
• Donations from individuals, corporates, trusts, foundations, and other entities will be accepted by the NRF subject to certain conditions and guidelines.
• Income from investments made by the NRF from its corpus fund, which will be managed by a professional investment committee.
• Amounts transferred from the Fund for Science and Engineering Research (FSER), which was established under the Science and Engineering Research Board Act, 2008. The FSER will cease to exist once the NRF is operational.

The NRF will have four main funds for allocation purposes

• The Anusandhan National Research Foundation Fund will be used for paying salaries, allowances, and administrative expenses of the NRF.
• The Innovation Fund will be used for funding outstanding and novel research proposals in the areas supported by the NRF.
• The Science and Engineering Research Fund will be used for continuing the ongoing projects initiated under the FSER.
• One or more Special Purpose Funds, which will be used for funding any specific project or research that requires special attention or priority.

The central government will prescribe rules for the utilisation of these funds, and ensure transparency and accountability in their allocation. The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India will audit the accounts of the NRF annually, and submit a report to the Parliament.

NRF will be guided by a Governing Board, which will consist of the following members:

• The Prime Minister of India will be the President of the Board and will provide strategic vision and direction to the Foundation.
• The Union Ministers of Science and Technology, and Education will be the Vice Presidents of the Board and will oversee the implementation of the Foundation's activities.
• The Principal Scientific Advisor will be the Member Secretary of the Board and will coordinate the functioning of the Foundation.
• The Secretaries to the Departments of Science and Technology, Biotechnology, and Scientific and Industrial Research will be the ex-officio members of the Board and will facilitate the integration of the Foundation with the existing research ecosystem.
• Up to five members from business organisations or industries will be appointed or nominated by the President of the Board and will bring in the perspective of the end-users and stakeholders of research and innovation.
• One member from the fields of social sciences and humanities will be appointed or nominated by the President of the Board and will ensure that the Foundation addresses the societal and ethical aspects of research and innovation.
• Up to six experts from natural sciences, engineering, and technology will be appointed or nominated by the President of the Board and will provide inputs on the scientific and technical aspects of research and innovation.

The Governing Board may also appoint a Chief Executive Officer, who should be of the rank of an Additional Secretary, or above, and who will be responsible for the day-to-day administration and management of the Foundation.

Conclusion

• The Bill is expected to bring about a paradigm shift in India's research and innovation ecosystem by creating a single-window mechanism for funding and facilitating research across disciplines and sectors. It is expected to enhance India's competitiveness in science and technology at the global level by fostering excellence, relevance and impact of research output.

https://newsonair.com/2023/08/04/lok-sabha-introduces-anusandhan-national-research-foundation-bill-2023/

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