NATIONAL RESEARCH FOUNDATION

1. Context 

2. About National Research Foundation

• The National Research Foundation (NRF) is an upcoming autonomous body envisioned under the New Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which was highlighted by Prime Minister Modi during his Independence Day address.
• The NRF aims to address the lack of funding, mentorship and research quality in India, making it one of the significant announcements under the NEP.
• By supporting researchers across various disciplines, including Sciences, Technology, Social Sciences, Art and Humanities, the NRF seeks to promote research and bridge the gap between science and non-science disciplines.

2. Funding Challenges and Objectives

• Insufficient funding has long been identified as a major hindrance to research in India.
• The draft NEP highlighted the decline in research funding from 0.84 per cent to 0.69 per cent of GDP between 2008 and 2014. 
• In comparison to countries like the United States, Israel and South Korea, where research and innovation investment constitute a significantly larger proportion of their GDP, India lags.
• The NRF aims to address this issue by allocating funds and fostering a conducive research environment.

3. Increasing Participation and Improving Research Culture

• Apart from inadequate funding, the number of students pursuing research in India is considerably low.
• According to the All India Survey of Higher Education (AISHE) report, less than 0.5 per cent of Indian students pursue a PhD or equivalent level of education.
• To encourage greater participation in research, the NRF proposes several measures.
• These include introducing career counselling in schools to identify student interests and talents, promoting research in universities, integrating research and internships into undergraduate curricula, and implementing faculty career management systems that prioritize research.

4. Key Initiatives and Funding Mechanisms

• While the final policy does not mention the specific National Postdoctoral Fellowships (NPDF) and National Doctoral Fellowships (NDF) as outlined in the draft NEP, the NRF will provide reliable and merit-based peer-reviewed research funding.
• This funding mechanism will help nurture a research culture by providing suitable incentives and recognition for outstanding research.
• Additionally, the NRF plans to initiate and develop research programs at state universities and other public institutions where research capabilities are currently limited.

5. The Way Forward

• The establishment of the National Research Foundation (NRF) under the New Education Policy (NEP) represents a significant step towards promoting research and innovation in India.
• By addressing the challenges of funding and research culture the NRF aims to support researchers across diverse disciplines and improve the quality of research in the country.
• Through its initiatives, the NRF seeks to create a robust research ecosystem and strengthen India's position in the global research landscape.