A symbiotic collaboration between academia and industry can help the nation grow by leaps and bounds. Recognising this, the Indian government, along with experts from the electronics industry and academic institutions, has launched new R&D schemes and initiatives. These will hopefully lead to the creation of innovative solutions that can address real-life challenges as well as the immediate needs of the industry. In this article, we look at two such ongoing initiatives that can boost the country’s R&D ecosystem further.
By Baishakhi Dutta
The Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB), under the Centre’s Department of Science and Technology, has joined hands with the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) to promote and support industry-relevant R&D by partnering with institutions of academic excellence. This is a unique public-private partnership (PPP) that bridges the gap between industry and academia, to make R&D and the commercialisation of its results an inherent element of Indian life. The initiative includes promoting and implementing two of SERB’s prestigious schemes:
- Industry-relevant R&D scheme
- The Prime Minister’s Fellowship for Doctoral Research
Industry relevant R&D scheme (Duration: Three years) The scheme is to encourage and promote research that addresses well-defined problems of industrial relevance. The objective is to use the expertise available in academic institutions and national laboratories to solve industry-specific problems for the benefit of the society.
Areas of research for the project remain flexible as the associations have invited proposals across all relevant sectors. There are a couple of criteria for applicants to be deemed eligible to become academic partners. The applicants must be Indian citizens residing in India, holding a regular academic or research position in an academic institution, national laboratory or any recognised R&D institution. More than one academic partner will be allowed on a project.
Industry partners can be from any vertical or of any size, including MSMEs and industrial R&D centres. More than one industry and/or more than one investigator from one industry can also be associated with a project. Proposals can be jointly designed and implemented by the industry and the academic partners (which include partners from national laboratories or recognised R&D institutions).
The proposal must contain any of the following characteristics:
- Adopt an innovative approach to solve a problem faced by the industry.
- The outcome aimed for should result in new scientific and technological innovations.
- The research should be solution-driven, which aids technology transfer and commercialisation.
The selection process will follow a sequence of steps, with most of the communication to be done online. SERB has explained the selection process as follows: - The call for applications will be notified through the official website. The application form along with a proper research proposal should be submitted online, through the website.
- The proposal must be jointly submitted by the principal investigator (PI) from academia and the co-investigator from industry. The industry partner should explicitly state in the proposal its financial commitments, and any other support (if any) provided to the academic partner.
- The selection will be based on the scientific and technical feasibility of the proposal, the track record of the PI, and the commercial potential of the project.
- The proposal will be subjected to peer review processes. The selection will be made by a relevant subject committee.
The Prime Minister’s Fellowship for Doctoral Research (Duration: Four years)
This scheme is a prestigious initiative of SERB to align university research engagements with industry requirements. The scheme encourages full time PhD scholars to pursue research in focus areas identified by industries as well as in subjects of national importance. There are 100 fellowships available annually for researchers to pursue a PhD programme in reputed technology and research institutions in India. The Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI), on behalf of SERB, is implementing the scheme.
The areas of research have to come under science, technology, engineering, agriculture and medicine. The eligibility criteria for the Prime Minister’s Fellowship for Doctoral Research Scheme mandates that the applicants have to:
- Be Indian nationals.
- Be registered in a full time PhD programme with a recognised academic or research institution offering PhD degrees.
- Apply within 14 months of PhD admission or registration, whichever date is earlier.
- Complete all the required academic qualifications.
- Have an industry partner to sponsor 50 per cent of the fellowship (₹ 400,000 per annum).
The awarding of SERB’s Prime Minister’s Fellowship for Doctoral Research will be done following a rigorous selection process.
The intellectual property rights (IPR) ownership will be mutually decided by the partnering academic institution, the PhD scholar and the sponsoring industry. SERB and FICCI will reserve no rights on the IP generated (if any) by the PhD research.
The project will follow a systematic monitoring mechanism. Awarded scholars will undergo periodic reviews on the progress of their research work and the achievement of milestones. Scholars will showcase their work during the review meetings. Applications can be submitted online only, through the programme’s website. No physical copy of the application or supporting documents will be required.
EB: Give us a brief introduction to the industry relevant R&D scheme.
The initiative is being driven by SERB, which is an autonomous body under the Ministry of Science and Technology. It is currently being headed by Dr Rajiv Kumar Tayal, who is in charge of the ongoing projects. This scheme is open for applicants across all sectors. Renowned companies have tied up with educational institutions or research institutions to drive this initiative. The scheme facilitates both parties (industry and academia) to work together and develop a joint research proposal (something innovative in nature and not based on any ongoing topic of research).
EB: What are the processes of selection and the criteria set for proposals getting selected for the grant?
Participants can submit their research proposals to SERB for the scheme. After the submission process is done, the committee in charge of evaluating them reviews the proposals and approves it. Based on the approval, we will provide 50 per cent of the total project value.
The participating industry should ensure that the objective of the proposal has industry relevance. These should not be mere routine proposals that address conventional problems or issues not related to industry, or be based on already established approaches.
EB: Have any monetary targets or limitations been set for the proposals?
No such target has been allocated by the ministry till now. We can accept as many proposals as we receive, based on the selection criteria. But, of course, there will be a limitation in terms of value. The value of the project proposal should be between ₹ 5 million and ₹ 10 million. If justified, the upper cap of ₹ 10 million can be relaxed. The approval of this will depend on the innovativeness of the project, which will be evaluated carefully.
EB: How long does this approval process take?
It takes around three months. In every quarter, the selection committee (comprising subject matter experts from industry and academia) approves a certain number of projects.
EB: Are there a particular number of projects that can be applied for?
There is no limitation to the number of projects that one can apply for.
EB: Is there any particular deadline for submitting applications?
We do not have any such deadline, as of now. Applications
will be accepted throughout the year
and anybody can submit the
joint proposal at any time of the year.
EB: Have you got any responses yet?
Yes, we have! In fact, in the last two quarters, around 12 projects under the R&D scheme have been approved.
EB: Who does the Prime Minister’s Fellowship for Doctoral Research scheme aim to engage?
The scheme is aimed at promising Indian PhD candidates. It encourages them to pursue industry-relevant research and work closely with an organisation in focused areas or industries. Scholars can define their research agenda or topic in direct consultation with the sponsoring industry. The scheme is open to full time PhD candidates who are registered with any education or research institution that offers PhD degrees.
EB: Which industries and institutes have you partnered with for the scheme?
We already have a large roster of participating institutes for this initiative. These include major IITs and NITs, IISc Bangalore, IIEST, CSIR-CECRI, CSIR-CFTRI, CSIR-NPL and many more. Some of the renowned enterprises who are participating with us include Microsoft, Google, GE, Infosys, Tata and many others.
EB: What role is FICCI playing in this entire initiative?
FICCI is the implementing agency for SERB to market and promote the Industry Relevant R&D scheme. We go to various cities and do exclusive workshops, road shows and promotional events to market this scheme. This project has been assigned to FICCI for almost a year now, and we have done around 20 road shows within this timeframe.
EB: Do you have any support centre for the ongoing projects?
We have a dedicated team working to address queries. The necessary contact details of concerned personnel are available on the official website (http://www.serbficci-iirrada.in/scheme2.html). Applicants can also come and meet us directly for assistance.
