Government Launches PAIR Initiative to Boost Research in Indian Universities

2025-01-29

The Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) launched the Partnerships for Accelerated Innovation and Research (PAIR) initiative aimed at enhancing the research capabilities of universities, particularly in the early stages of their research journey. This initiative, targeting central and state public institutions, utilizes a hub-and-spoke model where emerging institutions are paired with well-established top-tier institutions for mentorship and collaboration. The goal is to foster innovation and build a robust research ecosystem across India.

The PAIR initiative will initially focus on institutions ranked within the top 25 of the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) and those ranked between 26-50. It will support a range of research areas, including advanced materials, AI, green chemistry, energy technologies, and medical sciences. Each PAIR network will consist of one central hub institution and three to seven spoke institutions, with funding capped at ₹100 crore per network, allocated in a 30:70 ratio between hub and spoke institutions.

The program also includes provisions for the appointment of emeritus professors and national postdoctoral fellows, providing additional mentorship and expertise. The research themes span multiple disciplines, encouraging interdisciplinary collaboration. Eligible institutions can apply via an online portal, with the initiative expected to drive transformative research and innovation in Indian universities.

Source: https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/centre-launches-pair-initiative-to-accelerate-research-in-universities-101731609942700.html