The Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) has launched the Partnerships for Accelerated Innovation and Research (PAIR) initiative to support universities in their early stages of research, particularly central and state public institutions.
The program aims to pair emerging institutions with well-established, top-tier institutions, enabling mentorship and collaboration to accelerate research output. The PAIR initiative is designed to foster a research ecosystem that encourages innovation and strengthens India’s academic institutions.
The first phase of the PAIR initiative targets institutions ranked within the top 25 in the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) overall rankings over the past two years, as well as Institutions of National Importance ranked between 26 and 50.
Eligibility for spoke institutions has been divided into three categories: Category I includes central and state public universities ranked within the top 200 overall NIRF rankings, top 100 NIRF university rankings, or top 100 NIRF state public university rankings, excluding those eligible as hubs; Category II includes NITs and IIITs as per the approved list; and Category III includes any central or state public university not in the first two categories but demonstrating potential in specific research areas.
Each PAIR network will consist of a central hub institution and between three to seven spoke institutions, engaging multiple departments and faculty members from these institutions. The funding for each PAIR network will vary based on factors such as the research theme, the number of spoke institutions, and the involvement of multiple departments and faculty members. The maximum funding available for each network is capped at ₹100 crore, with the budget distribution between the hub and spoke institutions following a 30:70 ratio.
The research themes supported under PAIR are diverse, encompassing both basic and applied sciences, engineering, and interdisciplinary fields. Key research areas include Advanced Materials, Photonics, Advanced Computation and Mathematical Modelling, Green and Sustainable Chemistry, Energy Technologies, Electronics and Digital Technologies, Artificial Intelligence, Smart Manufacturing, Smart Infrastructure, Sustainable Agriculture, Health and Medical Technologies, Molecular and Synthetic Biology, Environmental Sustainability, and Quantitative Social Sciences.
Institutions that meet eligibility criteria are invited to apply for the PAIR initiative through the online portal at ANRF’s website. The foundation is expected to play a crucial role in fostering a robust research culture across India’s higher education institutions.
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Source: HT
