ANRF ACE scheme targets world-class research in science and engineering, invites institutional proposals

The Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) has announced two research support programmes-Impact Centres of Excellence (ACE) and Inclusivity Research Grant (IRG) to strengthen India’s research and innovation ecosystem, promote research excellence and facilitate wider participation in science and engineering.

The ACE programme will provide funding support for establishing high-impact research centres in academic institutions and national research laboratories. It seeks to strengthen research infrastructure, promote innovation and help Indian institutions achieve global excellence in science and engineering.

Aligned with vision of Viksit Bharat @ 2047, the programme is expected to accelerate Indian institutions as leading centres of research excellence and improve their posts in global institutional rankings.

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ANRF ACE programme: Three categories of proposals

The ACE programme invites proposals under three categories, based on institutional rankings and eligibility criteria.

• Category A is for public and private academic institutions that have consistently ranked among the top 20 in the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) Overall category in 2024 and 2025.
• Category B is for academic institutions that have consistently ranked among the top 70 in the NIRF Overall category in 2024 and 2025. If an institution's ranking has changed during the two years, its most recent NIRF Overall ranking will be considered, provided it meets the relevant category's eligibility criteria. Eligible academic institutions can submit only one proposal under either Category A or Category B per call.
• Category C is for national research laboratory clusters. Laboratories under organisations and departments such as DST, DBT, CSIR, ICMR, DAE, DRDO, DoS, ICAR, MeitY, MoES and MNRE, along with other central government research agencies, may submit up to three cluster proposals per organisation. These proposals must be nominated or endorsed by the secretary of the concerned department or the head of the overall organisation, as applicable.

The ACE programme is institutional in nature and does not support individual-centric or small-team projects. Each proposal must include a minimum of one and a maximum of three spoke partners.

Proposals must outline a roadmap for achieving internationally benchmarked research excellence, improving global rankings and mobilising the required matching funds.

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ANRF Inclusivity Research Grant: Funding for SC, ST researchers

The Inclusivity Research Grant (IRG) scheme aims to facilitate equal participation of researchers from all sections of society. It provides funding support to researchers belonging to the Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST) communities to undertake research in frontier areas of science and engineering.

The scheme aims to provide researchers with a platform to strengthen their research capacity and progress to mainstream research programmes.

ANRF was established through the ANRF Act, 2023, to undertake initiatives including seeding, growing and facilitating research at academic and research institutions. During its first meeting, chaired by the Prime Minister, the ANRF Governing Board discussed strategic interventions related to India's global positioning in key sectors, aligning research and development with national priorities, promoting inclusive growth and capacity building.

The IRG scheme subsumes the Empowerment and Equity Opportunities for Excellence in Science (EMEQ) scheme of the erstwhile Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB). It provides enhanced support with flexible norms.

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IRG funding and support

Under the Inclusivity Research Grant, funding of up to Rs 60 lakh, plus overheads, is provided for a period of three years. The scheme includes measures intended to make research easier to undertake. These include flexibility in the utilisation of resources under the recurring head, flexibility in manpower recruitment, and enhanced travel, contingency and overhead charges.

The grant also supports expenses related to open-access publications and patent filing charges. International travel for project-related activities is permitted under the scheme.