What is Anusandhan National Research Foundation?

 Why in News ? The Anusandhan National Research Foundation was recently in news in an article that  discuses the current  status of higher education.

The Anusandhan National Research Foundationis an apex body to provide “high-level strategic direction” to scientific research in the country. The National Research Foundation will play a pivotal role in seeding, nurturing and promoting research, innovation and development across universities, colleges, research institutions, and R&D laboratories.

Anusandhan National Research Foundation Act, 2023:

The Anusandhan National Research Foundation Act of 2023 provides for the establishment of the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (NRF).

• It also repealed the Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB) established by an act of Parliament in 2008 and subsumed it into NRF.
• NRF, as an apex body, aims to provide “high-level strategic direction for research, innovation and entrepreneurship”, and enhance “India’s national research infrastructure, knowledge enterprise, and innovation potential, for scientific pursuit”.

What is National Research Foundation?

In 2005, the Science Advisory Council to the Prime Minister recommended the formation of a National Science and Engineering Research Foundation. It was approved by the then PM Manmohan Singh. In 2008, it was renamed the Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB).

The National Research Foundation (NRF), an apex body to provide high-level strategic direction of scientific research in the country in accordance with the recommendations of the National Education Policy (NEP), will be established at a cost of 50,000 crore over the period 2023-28.

• Goals: To increase private sector contributions to research in India and to ensure that a larger portion of government funds go to state universities and colleges.
• The Department of Science and Technology (DST) will be NRF’s administrative department.

Functions of National Research Foundation:

National Research Foundation will provide strategic direction for research, innovation, and entrepreneurship in the fields of natural sciences, engineering and technology, environmental and earth sciences, health and agriculture, and scientific and technological interfaces of humanities and social sciences.

Functions of NRF include:

• Preparing the roadmap for short, medium, and long-term research and development.
• Facilitating and funding the expansion of Research and Development and related infrastructure in universities, colleges, and research institutions.
• Funding competitive peer-reviewed grant proposals to eligible individuals.
• Assisting in the transformation of research into capital-intensive technology.
• Enhancing India’s role and engagement in significant national and global areas.
• Encouraging private and public sector entities to invest in the foundation.
• Carry out annual surveys of scientific research, outcomes, and spending.