SERB’s scheme for funding industry relevant R&D include MSMEs

New Delhi, May 6 (KNN) The Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB), India, has come out with a scheme for funding industry relevant Research & Development with an aim to support ideas that address a well-defined problem of industrial relevance.

The objective of the scheme is to utilize the expertise available in academic institutions and national laboratories to solve industry specific problems for the larger benefit of society.

Under the scheme, the all industries (including MSME & industrial R&D Centres) are eligible. Also more than one industry and or more than one Investigator from one industry can be associated in a project.

Meanwhile, the academic partner, to be eligible under the scheme, must hold a regular academic/research position in an academic institution or national laboratories or recognised R&D institutions.

In this context, SERB has sought for proposals to be an academic partner and an industry partner under the scheme.

“The proposal shall be jointly designed and implemented by the academic partner (which includes a partner from national laboratories/recognized R&D institutions as the case may be and industry,” SERB said in a notification.

The participating industry should ensure that the objectives are industrially relevant. Routine proposals that address conventional problems and those not related to industry, or with already established approaches would not be encouraged.

Under the scheme, the funding shall be shared between SERB and industry. The industry share would not be less than 50 % of the total budget. Overhead would be provided to the academic partner and SERB share shall not exceed Rs. 50 lakh for a project. The upper cap might be relaxed on case to case basis.

The funding can be provided for a maximum period of three years.

Also, the notification added that the support from SERB shall be extended only to the academic partner and not to the industry.

The research grant will be provided for equipment, manpower, consumables, travel, pilot plant study, and any other costs associated with the project.

The Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB) is a statutory body established through an Act of Parliament. Supporting basic research in emerging areas of Science & Engineering are the primary and distinctive mandate of the Board. (KNN Bureau)