Anusandhan NRF to Launch University Mentorship Program and Centres of Excellence for Interdisciplinary Research

During the meeting, Prime Minister Modi highlighted the importance of tailoring research to address global problems with solutions that are localised to India's specific needs.

The Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) will launch a mentorship programme that pairs universities with nascent research capabilities with top-tier institutions to foster research growth. Researchers across the country will also benefit from a flexible and transparent funding mechanism designed to achieve the Ease of Doing Research, as outlined during the first meeting of the ANRF Governing Body, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Additionally, Centres of Excellence will be established to support interdisciplinary research in the humanities and social sciences.

Prime Minister Modi emphasized the importance of breaking down obstacles in the research ecosystem and ensuring that resources are readily available to the scientific community. "The scientific community should have faith that there will be no dearth of resources for their endeavours," Modi stated, stressing the need for localised solutions to global problems and pushing for path-breaking research.

The hub-and-spoke model, designed to bridge the gap between institutions at different stages of research development, aims to create a robust mentorship framework. This initiative aligns with India’s long-term goals of fostering innovation and development through collaboration, ensuring that institutions with advanced research capabilities guide those still in early stages.

The meeting also set a vision for establishing Centres of Excellence to support interdisciplinary research, particularly in the humanities and social sciences, to encourage holistic academic progress. The Prime Minister noted that research efforts should also be aligned with global best practices while focusing on India’s needs.

Further, the ANRF will launch mission-mode programmes focusing on solution-oriented research in priority areas such as electric vehicle mobility, advanced materials, solar cells, health technology, and sustainable agriculture. These programmes aim to boost India’s global positioning in key sectors and contribute significantly to the Aatmanirbhar Bharat mission.

Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, who serves as the Vice-President of the Governing Body, and several other prominent members, including experts from leading institutions worldwide, were present at the meeting. The Governing Body underscored the importance of empowering researchers with transparent funding mechanisms, promoting fundamental research, and driving scientific innovation through active industry participation.