National Research Foundation Bill 2023: Boosting Scientific Research in India

Context:

The Union Cabinet approved the National Research Foundation (NRF) Bill in Parliament. 

About National Research Foundation (NRF):

• The NRF will be an apex body to provide high-level strategic direction to scientific research in India, aligning with the recommendations of the National Education Policy (NEP), 2023. 
• The Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB), created by an act of Parliament in 2008, will be repealed and subsumed into the NRF.
• Administrative Department: Department of Science and Technology (DST).
• Governing Board (16 members): Two members from DST, five from industry, one from humanities and six experts who would be selected depending on the nature of the project being evaluated. 
  • Ex­ officio president: The Prime Minister
  • Ex officio vice presidents: Union Ministers of Science and Technology and Education
• Estimated Budgetary Outlay:  ₹50,000 crore 
• Time Period: 2023 – 2028.

Objectives of NRF:

• Addressing National Priorities: 
  • Identify priority areas where science and technology interventions can contribute to national objectives, such as clean energy, climate change, sustainable infrastructure, transportation, and healthcare. 
• Promoting Research: NRF will fund and promote ‘research in humanities, social sciences, and arts, fostering creativity and critical thinking.
• Enhancing Funding: NRF seeks to increase funding for scientific research in India, both from government and private sources. 

The potential of NRF:

• The NRF holds immense potential for transforming Inida’s scientific research ecosystem. Its focus on national priorities, increased funding, and participation in research can address critical challenges, boost research output, and drive innovation.

Expanding the Footprint of NRF: The NRF’s allocation had been supplemented as it progressed. For expanding its footprint further, a strategic plan has been crreated.

• Collaborating with other countries for scientific collaboration.
• Expanding the NRF’s presence to remote areas of India.
• Offering research opportunities to underprivileged students.

Disadvantages: 

• The NRF could lead to a concentration of power in the hands of a few individuals or institutions. This could stifle innovation and creativity. 
  • Example: The NRF could create a system for awarding research grants that is based on the recommendations of a few individuals or institutions. This could give these individuals or institutions a great deal of power over the direction of research in India.
• The NRF could be bureaucratic and slow to make decisions. This could delay the progress of research. 
  • Example: The NRF could have a complex system for reviewing research proposals. This could make it difficult for researchers to get their proposals approved, which could delay the progress of their research. 
• The NRF could be vulnerable to corruption. This could divert funds away from research and into the pockets of corrupt officials. 
  • Example: The NRF could have a system for awarding research grants that is not transparent. This could make it possible for corrupt officials to award grants to their friends or allies, even if these friends or allies are not the best qualified researchers. 

Advantages: 

• The NRF will provide a centralized funding mechanism for scientific research in India. This will help to ensure that research is aligned with national priorities and that it is efficiently managed. 
  • Example: The NRF could create a set of guidelines for research funding that would ensure that research is aligned with national priorities, such as climate change or economic development. The NRF could also create a system for monitoring the progress of research and ensuring that it is being managed efficiently. 
• The NRF will encourage collaboration between industry and academia. This will help to ensure that research is relevant to the needs of the economy and that it is translated into commercial products and services. 
  • Example: The NRF could create a program that would match researchers with industry partners. This would help to ensure that research is being conducted on topics that are relevant to the needs of industry. The NRF could also provide funding for research projects that involve collaboration between industry and academia. 
• The NRF will promote democratisation of science funding. This will help to ensure that all researchers, regardless of their location or institutional affiliation, have the opportunity to compete for funding. 
  • Example: The NRF could create a system for reviewing research proposals that is transparent and fair. This would help to ensure that all researchers have an equal opportunity to compete for funding. The NRF could also create a system for providing feedback to researchers who are not successful in their funding applications. 
• The NRF will fund research to find scientific solutions to some big problems facing our society. This will help to improve the lives of citizens and to make India a more prosperous country. 
  • Example: The NRF could fund research on topics such as climate change, clean energy, and water scarcity. This research could help to develop solutions to these problems that would benefit the Indian people. 

News Source: The Indian Express