Research Funding Agencies N Udupa Director Research (Health Sciences), Manipal University, Manipal 576104 Abstract Research funding is an important component in academia. It is imperative that faculty members require fund to advance research, and several funding agencies, in India and abroad, provide funds to faculty members. Research is a scientific approach to seeking answers to questions at hand. Research funding requires proposals to be submitted to various agencies, in appropriate formats, and providing several pertinent details. Applicants shall take care of several important points while applying for funds. These points include identification of appropriate research question based on knowledge gap, search for appropriate funding agency, reading call for proposals, checking for appropriateness of funding agencies objectives with the question at hand, preparing for proposal with appropriate documents, preparing a draft, reading and rereading for correctness, and adherence to timelines. Several government funding agencies in India such as All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), Department of Science and Technology (DST), Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Vision Group of Science and Technology (VGST), Dept. of AYUSH, Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), University Grants Commission (UGC), Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), Department of Atomic Energy (DAE), Science and Engineering Research Council (SERC), Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO), Indian National Science Academy (INSA) are funding research proposals in India. Various schemes of some of the major agencies are discussed. Lack of funding among researchers, in India, is due to several problems. These problems are discussed and probable solutions to these problems are provided, in order to attract more grants from funding agencies. Introduction Research implies Re-search i.e. seeking answers for problems at hand. Research is a scientific approach to problem solving in a systematic manner. Research is required, but not limited to, the following purposes: a. To discover new knowledge
b. To challenge an established theory and c. To understand phenomenon and propose a probable solution The definition of research includes any gathering of data, information and facts for advancement of science 1. The definition of scientific research is carrying out a systematic study with proper methods to prove a hypothesis or answer a research question 1. There are two types of research 2 : a. Basic research b. Applied research The goal of basic research is to expand man s knowledge (e.g. how a medicine works in a human body or which dosage form is suitable to manufacture a stable formulation?), which is often driven by curiosity (but not always). Applied research on the other hand is carried out with a goal to improve human health condition (e.g., how to treat/cure disease(s)?) and is driven by practical requirements. Points to remember while applying for research grants While applying for a research fund from a funding agency (government, non-government, industry or private), following points shall be kept in mind. Identify your research question. Search for appropriate funding agency National or International Get detail information Take a copy of Call for Proposals Decide whether Call for Proposal is in sync with your research objectives; If not, look for other funding agency, If yes, read, re-read and understand instructions for submission for the proposal Prepare a list of documents required to be submitted along with application Collect all the documents that are required for submission along with application Prepare a draft of application, based on the format in which application is to be submitted Read the entire draft of proposal after preparation, in order to incorporate necessary changes Ask a friend or a colleague or co-investigator to read the draft of proposal so as to make changes, if any
Various government funding agencies in India The following are some of the government funding agencies in India. AICTE (All India Council for Technical Education) DBT (Department of Biotechnology) DST (Department of Science and Technology) VGST (Vision Group of Science and Technology) Dept. of AYUSH (Department of Ayurveda, Unani, Siddha and Homeopathy System of Medicines) ICMR (Indian Council of Medical Research) UGC (University Grants Commission) CSIR (Council for Scientific and Industrial Research) DAE (Department of Atomic Energy) SERC (Science and Engineering Research Council) DRDO (Defense Research and Development Organization) INSA (Indian National Science Academy) From the above listed government funding agencies, researchers and academicians shall choose a funding agency that suits the requirements of proposed research question. Funding schemes of various funding agencies This section highlights various funding schemes from different agencies. The readers are advised to get detailed information from the funding agency website. Just a list of schemes of funding agencies is provided for the benefit of readers. A. AICTE (All India Council for Technical Education) Website: - www.aicte-india.org AICTE Quality Improvement Schemes (AQIS): Career Award For Young Teachers Entrepreneurship Development Cell Emeritus Fellowship Modernisation And Removal Of Obsolescence National Facilities In Engineering And Technology With Industrial Collaboration
Nationally Coordinated Project Scheme Research Promotion Scheme Scheme of Seminar Grant Scheme of Travel Grant National Doctoral Fellowship Scheme Industry Institute Partnership Cell Research Park Innovation Promotion Scheme Faculty Development Program Summer Winter School Scheme Visiting Professorship B. DBT (Department of Biotechnology) Website: http://dbtindia.nic.in/index.asp Funding Programmes: Human Resource Development International Collaboration Biotech Park Infrastructure Facilities Research & Development SBIRI Bioinformatics National Biosource Board Biofuel and Bioenergy Centers of Excellence and Programme support in Areas of Biotechnology Biotech Product and Process Development Social Development Jai Vigyan National S & T Mission Patent Facilitating Cell Awards and Scholarships (Awarded by Department of Biotechnology) Innovative Young Biotechnologist Award National Bioscience Award for Career Development
National Women Bio scientist Award Biotech Product and Process Development and Commercialization Bio-Care Award/Program for Women Scientist Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC) C. DST (Department of Science and Technology) Website: http://www.dst.gov.in Scientific Programmes: Scientific and Engineering Research Jawaharlal Nehru Science Fellowships Mission on Nano Science and Technology (Nano Mission) Fund for Improvement of S&T Infrastructure in Universities and other Higher Educational Institutions (FIST) Sophisticated Analytical Instrument Facilities (SAIFs) Human Resource Development and Nurturing Young Talent Swarnajayanti Fellowships Women Scientists Programs Kishore Vaigyanik Protsahan Yojana Innovation in Science Pursuit for Inspired Research (INSPIRE) programme National Science & Technology Management Information System (NSTMIS) D. VGST (Vision Group of Science and Technology) (For Karnataka State only) Website: http://www.vgst.in/ Awards Awards for Research Publications Published by Science Faculty (ARP) Establishment of Centres of Excellence in Science, Engineering and Medicine (CESEM) Seed Money to Young Scientists for Research (SMYSR) Subject Based Inter-University Conferences/Symposia (IUC) E. UGC (University Grants Commission) Website: http://www.ugc.ac.in UGC XII Plan Guidelines (2012-2017) has following objectives and schemes Access
Equity Quality Promotion of Talent Skill Development Stand Alone Schemes Access (For Universities): Guidelines for Establishment of Centre for Fostering Social Responsibility and Community engagement in University. Guidelines for General Development Assistance to Central, State Universities and Institutions Deemed to be Universities During XII Plan. Guidelines for Swachh Bharat-Swasth Bharat Scheme of the UGC (2014) Establishment of Chairs Equity (For both Universities and colleges): (Only applicable are listed) BSR Fellowships in Sciences for Students D. S. Kothari Post Doctoral Fellowships in Sciences Dr. S. Radhakrishnan Postdoctoral Fellowship in Humanities and Social Sciences (Including languages) MHRD/UGC program on strengthening of Basic Science Research (BSR) in Universities Maulana Azad National Fellowship For Minority Students Post Doctoral Fellowship for SCs/STs Post Doctoral Fellowship for Women (unemployed) Quality (For Universities): (Only applicable are listed) I. Excellence Universities with Potential for Excellence (UPE)/Universities of Excellence (UoE). Centre with Potential for Excellence in a Particular Area Joint Appointment of Faculty Internal Quality Assurance Cell (IQAC) for Universities Special Assistance Programme II. Research Major Research Projects
Research Award Guidelines for the One Time Grant Scheme MHRD/UGC Empowered Committee on Initiative on Start-UP Grant for newly Recruited Faculty F. ICMR (Indian Council For Medical Research) Website: http://icmr.nic.in/index.html Thrust Areas of Research for ICMR Funding: Communicable Diseases Tribal Health Reproductive & Child Health Nutrition Non-communicable Diseases Basic Medical Sciences Traditional Medicine Fellowships/ Associateships Ad-hoc Research Schemes Research Fellowships/ Associateships Junior Research Fellowships Post Doctoral Research ICMR Postdoctoral Research Fellowship Talent Search Schemes ICMR Talent Search Scheme for MD/MS-PhD Programme Others International Travel by Non-ICMR Scientists General details required for most funding proposals Most funding agencies have several components to be made available by an application, many of which are common across agencies. A general overview of details to be furnished for DST Biocare, Women s Scheme is provided here as a reference. However, an applicant shall check the guidelines of prospective funding agency before applying. Proforma for Submission [in general while applying]
Part-1 General Information Name of the Institute/ University/ Organization Project title Category Specific area Single or Multiple institutional Project duration and cost Project Summary Part-2 [Technical details] Origin of the proposal Rationale of the study Hypothesis Key questions Present status of R & D in the subject Relevance Outcome of the proposed study Preliminary work done so far Scope of Application Specific objectives and work plan Start and end months of the research work Part-3 [Budget particulars] Non-recurring [equipment/ instrument, accessories] Justification Human resource details [Technical Asst/JRF/SRF] Consumables [justify] Travel (To attend training programs and present papers in conference) Contingency (future expenses which cannot be predicted) Approximate amount per annum Overhead [5-10% of the total sum or as specified] Accounting fees [audit],
Legal fees Rent, repairs Research incentive to Principal Investigator (PI) Account holder details (Name of the college and email id, and bank details) Part-4 [Existing facilities] Human resource, equipment, other resources Part-5 [Details of Investigators] PI and Co-PI Part-6 Declaration Documents to be submitted after the proposal is recommended List of existing lab equipment Proposal forwarded through HOI No Objection Certificate (NOC) Quotation of the equipment Copy of Bye laws 3 years of audited account statement Registration certificate After Proposal is awarded for funding Submission of documents Memorandum of Agreement between the University and the respective funding agency Copy of sanction order Copy of terms and conditions Release of funds Advertisement Purchase Document submission after completion of project Audited utilization certificate Project completion report Project evaluation committee Account statement Details of publications or Patent applied
Problems associated with attracting research funds Quality of Research in India is not matching global standards. In 1950 s and 1960 s eminent personalities like Prof. G.P. Srivastava, Prof. Harkishan Singh, Prof. G.B.Singh, Prof. S.V. Ghoshal from Banaras Hindu University (BHU) and Punjab University carried out quality research in pharmaceutical technology and medicinal chemistry. Similarly, meritorious research was carried out in CDRI, RRL Jammu and Hyderabad, in Delhi University and Jadavpur University in 1950 s and 1960 s. Over the years, this quality of research is declining. The declining quality of research is reflected in Indian Pharmaceutical Journals. Based on Scopus and Journal Citation Report (JCR) data many Indian Journals are having Impact Factor (IF) less than 1. Based on JCR data, only 93 Indian Journals feature in the list of Journals with IF, published from India in 2013. Out of these 93 journals, only a handful of Indian Journals (~10-12) have impact factor (IF) of more than 1. Many funding agencies today look for authors h-index and number of citations before sanctioning research funds, in addition to publication record. Interaction with Industry is poor. Lack of frequent Industry-Academia Interaction leads to poor funding from private entities and companies. To tap funds from pharmaceutical industry to participate in clinical trials and carry out clinical research activity, Pharm D program, which was started is yet to make an impact in taking clinical research forward. Failure to produce any significant new drug candidate from either pharmaceutical industry or academic institutions from India is another reason for lack of funds. India is at forefront of supplying manpower and not involved in carrying out breakthrough research. Pharmacy Curriculum is not directed at research and that is one of the lacunae leading to poor quality research. Involvement of industry is lacking in framing practically useful syllabus. Industry too is apathetic towards academia. Quality of Post Graduate research is declining due to decline in admissions for PG courses. This leads to lack of quality candidates to carry out research. Some important scientific disciplines within pharmacy such as pharmacognosy, pharmaceutical chemistry and biotechnology are not taken up for further research. Out of approximately 1000 pharmacy colleges in India, many colleges fail to create conducive research environment. Faculty is asked to spend more time on administrative and unproductive work, rather than encouraged to take up research. Number of candidates, hence registering for PhD is dwindling. Lack of financial reward to researchers is another area of concern in addition to lack of exposure to global research.
Probable solutions to attract funds There is a need to establish a facility of Research Directorate in institutions/universities, who coordinates activity of research and facilitates funding from various agencies discussed. There is a need to publish good quality journals from India. Though many journals are published, they are all money minting journals with poor quality of articles. Young researchers and faculty shall be encouraged to carry our research, leading to generation of Intellectual property, particularly patent. Need to provide lucrative incentives to researcher financially or through recognition may help boost morale of these young, fertile minds. Create sense of entrepreneurship among researchers to start their small scale spin-off. Summary Funds from various funding agencies are available in plenty. However, there is a lack of awareness among researchers to scout for appropriate sources of funds. Inadequate incentives to researcher for their research by academic institutions lead to researchers not actively looking for funds. Institutes shall create a conducive environment and encourage young researchers and faculty. Curriculum shall focus more on practical aspects and nurture students to opt for research as a career. Industry and academia shall both play proactive role and work in collaboration for socially useful and productive research. Teachers shall be torchbearers for the future generation of researchers. References 1. https://explorable.com/definition-of-research 2. http://www.erm.ecs.soton.ac.uk/theme4/types_of_research.html