BioVoice News eMag August 2023 | Page 16

C O V E R S T O R Y

Anusandhan National Research Foundation ( NRF ) Bill , 2023

The Act will pave the way to establish NRF that will seed , grow and promote Research and Development ( R & D ) and foster a culture of research and innovation throughout India ’ s universities , colleges , research institutions , and R & D laboratories .

The Act will establish NRF , an apex body to provide high-level strategic direction of scientific research in the country as per recommendations of the National Education Policy ( NEP ), at a total estimated cost of Rs . 50,000 crores during five years ( 2023-28 ). Out of the total budget , Rs 36,000 crore , almost 80 %, is going to come from nongovernment sources , from industry & philanthropists , from domestic as well as outside sources .

The Department of Science and Technology ( DST ) will be the administrative Department of NRF which will be governed by a Governing Board consisting of eminent
researchers and professionals across disciplines . Since the scope of the NRF is wide-ranging – impacting all ministries - the Prime Minister will be the ex-officio President of the Board and the Union Minister of Science & Technology & Union Minister of Education will be the ex-officio Vice- Presidents . NRF ’ s functioning will be governed by an Executive Council chaired by the Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India .
NRF will forge collaborations among the industry , academia , and government departments and research institutions , and create an interface mechanism for participation and contribution of industries and State
16
BioVoiceNews | August 2023