Partnerships for Accelerated Innovation and Research (PAIR)

The National Education Policy 2020 has envisioned the establishment of ANRF with an overarching goal to enable a culture of research to permeate through universities and to undertake major initiatives to seed and grow research at state universities and other academic institutions where research capability is currently limited. As a first step towards fostering research across a broader range of institutions, a new program Partnerships for Accelerated Innovation and Research (PAIR) has been initiated. The motivation is to go beyond empowering researchers of institutions through individual-centric research grants, to a more holistic approach of uplifting the research culture and excellence of the entire institution in a systematic manner.

PAIR Program has been designed to boost the research capability of those institutions where research is at a nascent stage but which have the potential to perform well, in a mentorship mode by pairing them with well-established top-tier research institutions in a hub and spoke framework. The proposed hub and spoke model is a powerful tool to efficiently accelerate the progress of institutions as it works on a pull-and-push approach. While the hub pulls together the available potential and skills of the spokes for the envisioned research activities, they concurrently push scientific advancement and excellence back into the spokes enabling them to rapidly progress. The program is thus expected to not only bridge the gap between institutions but also serve as a catalyst for transformative research.

In its first phase, the program will focus on universities which have demonstrated potential through national ranking and those that have promise to scale their research. It is also desired that we may ensure regional diversity. To be considered for support under this program, the hubs in tandem with select spokes are expected to come up with competitive, impactful research proposals with potentially significant outcomes in the specified indicative themes. The program aims to establish vibrant PAIR networks, each consisting of a Hub and several spoke institutions, involving faculties of multiple departments conducting outstanding research across several disciplines, in a collaborative enabling environment.


Program Objectives:
  • Stimulate scientific innovation in institutions with limited research, in a mentorship mode by leveraging the knowledge and expertise of top-ranking institutions.
  • Support internationally competitive research with substantial impact and outcome.
  • Foster successful and productive collaborative networks between diverse institutions.
  • Propel the advancement of institutions by (i) upscaling and building advanced research infrastructure and capabilities, (ii) enhancing the quality of research and (iii) facilitating infusion of best practices and research culture.

Eligibility for PAIR Program Phase - I:
Hub Institution:
  1. Institutions within 25 NIRF overall rankings in the preceding two years
  2. Institutions of National Importance within 26 to 50 NIRF overall ranking in the preceding two years

The list of eligible institutions can be seen here
These lead institutions (Hubs) will spearhead the research projects, leveraging their extensive knowledge, experience, expertise and research infrastructure.



Spoke Institutions:

Category I: Central Universities and State Public Universities within

  1. 200 NIRF overall ranking
  2. 200 NIRF University ranking
  3. 100 NIRF State Public University Ranking,excluding those eligible as Hubs.

The list of eligible institutions can be seen here.


Category II: NITs and IIITs as per the list.
Category III: Any Central or State Public university that is not in the eligible list.


Conditions:
  • A minimum of two State Public Universities is mandatory.
  • To provide opportunity to universities which are not in the eligible list but have potential in some research areas, a hub can include any one such institute as spoke from Category III.
  • To ensure regional diversity, at least one spoke institution must be outside the state of the hub institution.

• Each PAIR network should consist of a hub and 3 to 7 spoke institutions.

• Each spoke institution should involve multiple departments and multiple faculty members as the PAIR program aims for the overall enhancement of research in the spoke institutions.

• Only one proposal can be submitted by a hub institution.

• An institution can participate as spoke in only one network.

• The Project Director (PD) from the hub will lead the collaborative effort.

• Co-PI(s) from the hub institutions are mandatory.

• Each spoke institution will have a Principal Investigator (PI) and at least one Co-PI.

• The network can include National research labs as partners, without any budgetary support from ANRF.

• The funding support would depend on the research theme, number of spokes, number of departments and faculty members. Maximum of Rs 100 Cr for five years per PAIR network would be considered.

• The budget distribution for Hub and Spoke shall follow a 30:70 ratio.

• Private institutions as Hub, shall share 25% of their allocated budget.

• Retired faculty/scientists, in the same area of research, from any eligible Hub institutions can serve as Emeritus Professors in the spoke institutions to mentor and support the proposed research activities. The position will be coterminous with the project with an honorarium of Rs. 2 lakh per month.

• A maximum of ten National Postdoctoral Fellows per network would also be supported with emphasis on these Fellows being majorly part of spoke institutions.

• VAJRA/VAIBHAV Fellows can be associated with the network to provide mentorship.

Research proposals can be in both basic as well as applied sciences, engineering and interdisciplinary research at the interface of science, engineering and social sciences. Some indicative themes are suggested below:

Advanced Materials

Photonics

Advanced computation and mathematical modelling

Green and sustainable chemistry

Energy technologies

Electronics and digital technologies

Artificial Intelligence

Smart Manufacturing

Smart Infrastructure

Sustainable Agriculture

Health and Medical Technologies

Molecular and Synthetic Biology

Environmental Sustainability

Quantitative Social Sciences

The main PAIR project proposal can consist of sub-projects to accommodate multiple faculties belonging to different departments.

• PD, PI and Co-PIs must hold a regular academic/research position in a recognized academic institution as indicated above.

• PD, PI and Co-PI should hold a PhD degree in Science, Engineering, Social Sciences or MD/MS/ MDS/MVSc degrees.

• PD should have at least six years of service remaining before superannuation at the time of submission of application.

• Research Associates, Postdoctoral Fellows, Ad-hoc faculty, Guest faculty, Visiting Scientists, Consultant, Project Fellows and faculty members whose contract is renewed every year are not eligible as PD, PI or Co-PI. ANRF reserves the right to determine the eligibility for cases not mentioned above.

• The application should be submitted online at www.anrfonline.in. Selection will be based on the recommendations of the Apex Committee. ANRF may suggest restructuring the spoke component, or themes for the best possible outcome.

Other Technical Details Download Template

• ANRF reserves the right to terminate the project at any stage if it is convinced that (i) appropriate progress is not being made (ii) the grant has not been utilized properly (iii) furnishing of false information or suppression of factual information.

• Transfer of project from one institution to another is not allowed as the support is institution-specific.


Institutions within 25 NIRF Overall Ranking (in last two years) Rank
1 Indian Institute of Technology Madras 1
Indian Institute of Science 2
3 Indian Institute of Technology Bombay 3
4 Indian Institute of Technology Delhi 4
5 Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur 5
6 Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur 6
7 All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Delhi 7
8 Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee 8
9 Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati 9
10 Jawaharlal Nehru University 10
11 Banaras Hindu University 11
12 Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad 12
13 Jamia Millia Islamia 13
14 Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal 14
15 University of Delhi 15
16 Aligarh Muslim University 16
17 Jadavpur University 17
18 Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham 18
19 Vellore Institute of Technology 19
20 Anna University 20
21 Birla Institute of Technology and Science, Pilani 23
22 University of Hyderabad 25

Institutions of National Importance within 26 – 50 Overall Ranking (in last two years) Rank
1 Indian Institute of Technology Gandhinagar 29
2 Indian Institute of Technology (Banaras Hindu University) Varanasi 30
3 National Institute of Technology Tiruchirappalli 31
4 Indian Institute of Technology Indore 33
5 National Institute of Technology Rourkela 34
6 Indian Institute of Technology (Indian School of Mines) Dhanbad 35
7 Jawaharlal Institute of Post Graduate Medical Education and Research 39
8 Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Pune 42
9 National Institute of Technology Karnataka, Surathkal 46
10 Indian Institute of Technology Ropar 48

S. No.

Name

Institution Type

1

Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University

Central

2

Assam University, Silchar

Central

3

Central University of Punjab

Central

4

Central University of Tamil Nadu

Central

5

Mizoram University

Central

6

Pondicherry University

Central

7

Tezpur University

Central

8

Central Agricultural University

Central

9

Central Sanskrit University

Central

10

Central University of Rajasthan

Central

11

Dr Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University

Central

12

Central University of Kerala

Central

13

Manipur University

Central

14

North Eastern Hill University

Central

15

Visva Bharati

Central

16

Maulana Azad National Urdu University

Central

17

Sikkim University

Central

18

Savitribai Phule Pune University

State Public

19

Calcutta University

State Public

20

Panjab University

State Public

21

Osmania University

State Public

22

Andhra University

State Public

23

Bharathiar University

State Public

24

Kerala University

State Public

25

Cochin University of Science and Technology

State Public

26

Mahatma Gandhi University

State Public

27

University of Madras

State Public

28

Gauhati University

State Public

29

University of Kashmir

State Public

30

Delhi Technological University

State Public

31

Bharathidasan University

State Public

32

Alagappa University

State Public

33

Mumbai University

State Public

34

Mysore University

State Public

35

Acharya Nagarjuna University

State Public

36

Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University

State Public

37

Visvesvaraya Technological University

State Public

38

University of Jammu

State Public

39

Bangalore University

State Public

40

Periyar University

State Public

41

Madurai Kamaraj University

State Public

42

King George`s Medical University

State Public

43

Dibrugarh University

State Public

44

Gujarat University

State Public

45

Punjab Agricultural University

State Public

46

Annamalai University

State Public

47

University of Lucknow

State Public

48

COEP Technological University

State Public

49

Netaji Subhas University of Technology (NSUT)

State Public

50

Maharshi Dayanand University

State Public

51

University of Burdwan

State Public

52

Manonmaniam Sundaranar University, Tirunelveli

State Public

53

G.B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology

State Public

54

Sri Venkateswara University

State Public

55

Madan Mohan Malaviya University of Technology

State Public

56

Kurukshetra University

State Public

57

Utkal University

State Public

58

Calicut University

State Public

59

University of Agricultural Sciences, Bengaluru

State Public

60

Indraprastha Institute of Information Technology

State Public

61

Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Marathwada University

State Public

62

Guru Jambheshwar University of Science and Technology

State Public

63

Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural University

State Public

64

Tamil Nadu Agricultural University

State Public

65

Devi Ahilya Vishwavidyalaya

State Public

66

Acharya N G Ranga Agricultural University

State Public

67

Berhampur University

State Public

68

Bundelkhand University

State Public

69

Chaudhary Charan Singh University Meerut

State Public

70

Chaudhary Sarwan Kumar Himachal Pradesh Krishi Vishvavidyalaya

State Public

71

Davangere University

State Public

72

Delhi Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research University

State Public

73

Dr. Y.S. Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry

State Public

74

Fakir Mohan University

State Public

75

Goa University

State Public

76

Gujarat Technological University

State Public

77

Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University

State Public

78

Harcourt Butler Technical University

State Public

79

Himachal Pradesh University

State Public

80

International Institute of Information Technology Bhubaneswar

State Public

81

Islamic University of Science & Technology, Pulwama

State Public

82

Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University

State Public

83

Kalyani University

State Public

84

Kannur University

State Public

85

Karnataka University

State Public

86

Kerala Agricultural University

State Public

87

Kumaun University, Nainital

State Public

88

Kuvempu University

State Public

89

Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda

State Public

90

Maharana Pratap University of Agriculture & Technology, Udaipur

State Public

91

Mahatma Jyotiba Phule Rohikhand University, Bareilly

State Public

92

Mangalore University

State Public

93

Maulana Abul Kalam Azad University of Technology

State Public

94

Mohan Lal Sukhadia University

State Public

95

Navsari Agricultural University

State Public

96

North Bengal University, Darjeeling

State Public

97

North Maharashtra University

State Public

98

Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology

State Public

99

Patna University

State Public

100

Presidency University

State Public

101

Pt. Ravishankar Shukla University

State Public

102

Punjabi University

State Public

103

Rashtrasant Tukadoji Maharaj Nagpur University

State Public

104

Ravenshaw University

State Public

105

Sambalpur University, Sambalpur

State Public

106

Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Science and Technology of Jammu

State Public

107

Shivaji University

State Public

108

Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University

State Public

109

Sri Padmavathi Mahila Visvavidyalayam

State Public

110

Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal Sciences University

State Public

111

Tumkur University, Tumkur

State Public

112

University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad

State Public

113

Veer Surendra Sai University of Technology

State Public

114

Vidyasagar University

State Public

115

Yogi Vemana University

State Public

116

University College of Medical Sciences

State Public

117

Sawai Man Singh Medical College

State Public


S. No.

Name

1

National Institute of Technology, Agartala

2

National Institute of Technology, Arunachal Pradesh

3

National Institute of Technology, Delhi

4

National Institute of Technology, Durgapur

5

National Institute of Technology, Goa

6

Indian Institute of Engineering Science and Technology, Shibpur

7

National Institute of Technology, Jamshedpur

8

National Institute of Technology, Kurukshetra

9

National Institute of Technology, Manipur

10

National Institute of Technology, Meghalaya

11

National Institute of Technology, Mizoram

12

National Institute of Technology, Nagaland

13

National Institute of Technology, Puducherry

14

National Institute of Technology, Raipur

15

National Institute of Technology, Sikkim

16

National Institute of Technology, Andhra Pradesh

17

National Institute of Technology, Srinagar

18

National Institute of Technology, Uttarakhand

19

Indian Institute of Information Technology, Guwahati

20

Indian Institute of Information Technology, Kota

21

Indian Institute of Information Technology, Vadodara

22

Indian Institute of Information Technology, Sri City, Chittoor

23

Indian Institute of Information Technology, Tiruchirappalli

24

Indian Institute of Information Technology, Una

25

Indian Institute of Information Technology, Sonepat

26

Indian Institute of Information Technology, Kalyani

27

Indian Institute of Information Technology, Dharwad

28

Indian Institute of Information Technology, Senapati

29

Indian Institute of Information Technology, Kottayam

30

Indian Institute of Information Technology, Lucknow

31

Indian Institute of Information Technology, Ranchi

32

Indian Institute of Information Technology, Pune

33

Indian Institute of Information Technology, Nagpur

34

Indian Institute of Information Technology, Bhopal

35

Indian Institute of Information Technology, Surat

36

Indian Institute of Information Technology, Bhagalpur

37

Indian Institute of Information Technology, Agartala

38

Indian Institute of Information Technology, Raichur


Q1: Can a Hub Institution submit multiple proposals?

A1: No, a Hub institution is allowed to submit only one proposal.

 

Q2: Can a Spoke institution submit a proposal?

A2: No, only the Hub institution is permitted to submit the proposal. While Spoke institutions are expected to actively participate in the proposal planning and development process, the submission must be made solely by the Hub institution.

 

Q3: Can a spoke institution be involved in multiple proposals, given the uncertainty about which Hub institution will be successful?

A3: No, a spoke institution may participate in only one PAIR proposal at a time.

 

Q4: Can different departments of our University participate in different PAIR networks?

A4: No, an institution may only participate as a spoke in one PAIR network.

 

Q5: Our university is a private institution and has an NIRF overall ranking. Why are we not eligible as spoke institution?

A5: The first phase of the PAIR program is exclusively targeted for Central and State Public Universities and and select NITs and IIITs. Private institutions may be considered in the future phases of the program.

 

Q6: Our university is a State Public University and does not hold an NIRF ranking. Are we eligible to participate in the PAIR program?

A6: Yes, according to the eligibility criteria of PAIR Phase-I, any one Central or State Public University, without an NIRF ranking, can be part of the PAIR Network.

 

Q7: Can we involve more than two State Public Universities as spoke institutions?

A7: Yes, you can. Hub institutions have the flexibility to determine the distribution of spoke institutions while adhering to the specified eligibility conditions.

 

Q8: Can we select all the spoke institutions from outside the state of the Hub institution?

A8: The hub institution has the discretion to determine the distribution of spoke institutions. While proximity may be taken into account for operational efficiency, the condition that at least one spoke institution must be located outside the state of the hub institution must be adhered to.

 

Q9: Can Hub institutions choose two institutions from Category-II: NITs and IIITs?

A9: Yes, provided there are at least two state public universities among the spoke institutions and the requirement for at least one spoke institution to be outside the Hub Institution’s state is met.

 

Q10: Can a Hub institution add a spoke institution at a later date while the PAIR project is ongoing?

A10: It may be possible depending on the requirements. The decision to add spoke institutions during the PAIR project will be made by ANRF.

 

Q11: Is it mandatory to include multiple themes in the PAIR proposal?

A11: No, only multiple departments are mandatory. Multiple themes are preferred so as to involve multiple departments of each spoke institution as the program aims to enhance the research capacity of the institution as a whole.

 

Q12: The faculty members participating from the spoke institutions belong to varied fields. In such a case, how can we write a proposal to include all the expertise areas?

A12: To create a comprehensive proposal that reflects several areas of expertise, the PAIR network can select multiple themes and formulate research proposals under each theme clearly defining the team members involved and the budget requirement. The online submission format is designed to allow this flexibility, enabling multilple thematic research proposals as part of the overarching PAIR network proposal. This will ensure that various departments and multiple research fields are adequately represented, allowing for a well-structured collaborative effort.

 

Q13: Can we choose themes other than those specified by ANRF?

A13: The themes specified by ANRF are only suggestive. PDs and PIs are encouraged to explore and select alternative themes as deemed fit.

 

Q14: Is the Budget ratio of 30:70 for hub and spoke institutions required to be exact?

A14: The budget ratio should be in the range of 30:70. However, hub institution budget cannot exceed 30% of the total project cost.

 

Q15: If the hub institution is a private university, does it need to contribute 25% of the total project cost of the PAIR network?

A15: No, the private hub institution is only required to share 25% of the budget that has been approved for the Hub institution.

 

Q16: What is the minimum budget limit to apply for the PAIR program?

A16: The minimum budget for a PAIR network is expected to be in the range of Rs. 10 Cr.

 

Q17: Can the budget allocation between the hub and spoke institutions vary based on the number of spoke institution involved?

A17: No, the budget distribution for hub and spoke shall follow a 30:70 ratio, regardless of the number of spoke institutions.

 

Q18: How many NPDFs can be proposed for a PAIR network? Can they be affiliated with the Hub institution or are they limited to spoke institutions only?

A18: Not more 10 NPDFs can be proposed for each PAIR network. Ideally, these NPDFs should be associated primarily with the spoke institutions. However a limited number, about two, may be part of the hub institution.

 

Q19: Can an NPDF appointed under PAIR program be retained for the entire five years of the program?

A19: NPDFs are supported for a maximum of two years only and must comply with the ANRF NPDF program guidelines. A candidate can avail NPDF only once in their career and the fellowship period is only for two years. However, the program can have NPDFs throughout the five years by staggering the intake of allotted NPDFs.

 

Q20: We have an NPDF in our PAIR program. Can we retain them as Research Associate after two years?

A20: Yes. Although the NPDF position is limited to two years, the same candidate may continue as a Research Associate or any other suitable project personnel position in the same PAIR project.

 

Q21: How many Emeritus Professors can be proposed for a spoke institution?

A21: Typically, one Emeritus Professor per spoke institution is preferred, although this may vary depending on the specific themes proposed.

 

Q22: Can an Emeritus Professor by appointed at the Hub Institution?

A22: No. Emeritus Professors are restricted to spoke institutions only, to mentor and support the research activities.

 

Q23: Can Emeritus Professors engaged in the PAIR program apply for research projects under ANRF or any other funding agency?

A23: Yes, they can apply. There are no restrictions for obtaining additional grants, provided that the research work is conducted at the associated spoke institution.

 

Q24: Can a faculty retired from the spoke institution serve as Emeritus Professor under the PAIR program?

A24: No, only retired faculty from any eligible Hub institution with expertise in the relevant area of research can be appointed as Emeritus Professors.

 

Q25: Will NPDFs or Emeritus Professors engaged in the PAIR program receive research grants?

A25: No, both NPDFs and Emeritus Professors will only receive fellowship and honorarium, respectively and not research grants.

 

Q26: I will be superannuating within five years. Can I apply for a short-term, say three-year project under the PAIR program?

A26: No. PAIR program is structured as a fixed five-year initiative and there is no provision for short-term projects. The Project Director (PD) must have a minimum of six years of service remaining before superannuation at the time of submission of application.