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New Delhi, November 15, 2024 – The Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) has announced the launch of the ‘Partnership for Accelerated Innovation and Research (PAIR)’, an ambitious initiative aimed at enhancing the research capabilities of universities across India, particularly Central and State public institutions.
The PAIR programme, introduced on November 14, 2024, employs a mentorship-driven hub-and-spoke model, pairing emerging institutions with well-established top-tier institutions to foster collaborative research and resource sharing. This framework is designed to support institutions where research infrastructure and activities are still in the developmental stage, thereby bridging gaps and building a robust research ecosystem nationwide.
Eligibility Criteria and Structure
Under the PAIR initiative, hub institutions will guide spoke institutions in research activities, provide access to their advanced facilities, and offer mentorship to improve research outcomes.
- Hub Institutions: To qualify as a hub, institutions must rank among the top 25 in the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) overall rankings for the past two years, or fall within the 26-50 range of NIRF overall rankings if recognized as institutions of national importance.
- Spoke Institutions: Eligible spoke institutions include Central and State Public Universities within the top 200 NIRF rankings or those within 100 NIRF rankings for State Public Universities. Additionally, select institutions outside the NIRF rankings but with promising research potential may also qualify, subject to limitations. Emerging National Institutes of Technology (NITs) and Indian Institutes of Information Technology (IIITs) are also eligible as spokes.
Each PAIR network will consist of one hub and three to seven spokes, ensuring regional diversity by including at least one spoke institution from a different state than the hub. Proposals will be evaluated on merit, with final selections made by an Apex Committee under ANRF.
Government Support and Future Steps
The programme will be fully funded by the Central Government through ANRF. While no universities or institutions have been selected yet, and no funds have been disbursed so far, the initiative lays the groundwork for transformative research collaborations in the near future.
Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology and Earth Sciences, Dr. Jitendra Singh, provided these details in a written reply to the Rajya Sabha on November 14, 2024.
A Vision for Innovation and Growth
The PAIR initiative reflects the government’s commitment to nurturing innovation and fostering a culture of research excellence across the country. By creating synergistic relationships between leading institutions and emerging ones, the programme is expected to accelerate scientific discoveries, bolster academic output, and strengthen India’s position as a global research hub.
Further updates, including the selection of institutions and funding allocations, are anticipated in the coming months.`
