PAIR Programme

Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF)

Government of India

In alignment with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which emphasizes cultivating a vibrant research culture across India’s academic institutions, the Government of India has established the ANRF (Anusandhan National Research Foundation). As an important first step in this direction, the Partnerships for Accelerated Innovation and Research (PAIR) program was launched. This forward-thinking program is designed to uplift research ecosystems in emerging universities and institutions by pairing them with established research hubs, creating a mentorship-driven, collaborative network to strengthen national research capability.

Indian Institute of Science (IISc) has been privileged to serve as one of the leading hub institutions under this program. As part of the PAIR initiative, IISc successfully secured ₹100 crore in funding, partnering with seven spoke institutions:

• Kumaun University, Nainital
• Shivaji University, Kolhapur
• University of Calicut, Malappuram
• NIT Nagaland
• IIEST Shibpur
• Pondicherry University
• Bengaluru University

I am proud to share that our team has played an active and leading role in this national mission, particularly by coordinating and supporting the Functional Materials research vertical. From our side at the Advanced Facility for Microscopy and Microanalysis (AFMM), we are extending specialized training, technical assistance, and collaborative project opportunities to students and faculty from these institutions, helping them build capabilities in advanced microscopy and materials research. This initiative is more than just a funding exercise, it represents a meaningful step toward building a self-sustaining, collaborative, and innovation-driven research ecosystem in the country. I believe efforts like these will not only elevate institutional research capabilities but also inspire the next generation of researchers to dream bigger and reach farther.