Major Funding Agencies for Science & Technology

General Information on Research & Development Funding Schemes of Central Government Departments/Agencies

 Department of Science and Technology: Department of Science & Technology (DST) was established in May 1971, with the objective of promoting new areas of Science & Technology and to play the role of a nodal department for organising, coordinating and promoting S&T activities in the country.

 Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR), India, a premier national R&D organisation, is among the world's largest publicly funded R&D organisation. CSIR's pioneering sustained contribution to S&T human resource development is acclaimed nationally. Human Resource Development Group (HRDG), a division of CSIR realises this objective through various grants, fellowship schemes etc. 

 Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO), works under Department of Defence Research and Development of Ministry of Defence. DRDO dedicatedly working towards enhancing self-reliance in Defence Systems and undertakes design & development leading to production of world class weapon systems and equipment in accordance with the expressed needs and the qualitative requirements laid down by the three services.

 Science and Engineering Rearch Board: SERB supports research in frontier areas of Science and Engineering. A regular faculty / researcher in an academic / research institution can seek research support to carry out his/her research. Board also gives special attention to young scientists below the age of 35 years (relaxable by 5 years in the case of SC/ST/OBC, woman and physically handicapped category) to undertake independent research in newly emerging and frontier areas of science and engineering.


The Department of Atomic Energy (DAE), was set-up on August 3, 1954 under the direct charge of the Prime Minister through a Presidential Order. The vision of the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) is to empower India through technology, creation of more wealth and providing better quality of life to its citizen.DAE is engaged in the design, construction and operation of nuclear power/research reactors and the supporting nuclear fuel cycle technologies covering exploration, mining and processing of nuclear minerals, production of heavy water, nuclear fuel fabrication, fuel reprocessing and nuclear waste management.

 Department of Indian Systems of Medicine and Homoeopathy (ISM&H), was created in March,1995 and re-named as Department of Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy (AYUSH) in November, 2003 with a view to providing focused attention to development of Education & Research in Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy systems.

 Department of Biotechnology (DBT), under the Ministry of Science and Technology in 1986 gave a new impetus to the development of the field of modern biology and biotechnology in India. In more than a decade of its existence, the department has promoted and accelerated the pace of development of biotechnology in the country. 

 The Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES), is mandated to provide the nation with best possible services in forecasting the monsoons and other weather/climate parameters, ocean state, earthquakes, tsunamis and other phenomena related to earth systems through well integrated programmes. The Ministry also deals with science and technology for exploration and exploitation of ocean resources (living and non-living), and play nodal role for Antarctic/Arctic and Southern Ocean research. The Ministry mandate is to look after Atmospheric Sciences, Ocean Science & Technology and Seismology in an integrated manner.

 The Department of Scientific and Industrial Research (DSIR), is a part of the Ministry of Science and Technology, which was announced through a Presidential Notification, dated January 4, 1985 contained in the 164th Amendment of the Government of India (Allocation of Business) Rules, 1961. The Department of Scientific and Industrial Research (DSIR) has a mandate to carry out the activities relating to indigenous technology promotion, development, utilization and transfer.

 The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), New Delhi, the apex body in India for the formulation, coordination and promotion of biomedical research, is one of the oldest medical research bodies in the world.ICMR regularly organises joint scientific meetings, seminars, workshops, symposia on identified subjects of international cooperation.

 The India Meteorological Department (IMD), was established in 1875. It is the National Meteorological Service of the country and the principal government agency in all matters relating to meteorology, seismology and allied subjects.

 Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO), Space activities in the country started during early 1960s.The objective of ISRO is to develop space technology and its application to various national tasks. Accordingly, Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has successfully operationalised two major satellite systems namely Indian National Satellites (INSAT) for communication services and Indian Remote Sensing (IRS) satellites for management of natural resources; also, Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) for launching IRS type of satellites and Geostationary Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV) for launching INSAT type of satellites.

 Ministry of Communications and Information Technology Department of  Information Technology (MOCIT),e-Development of India as the engine for transition into a developed nation and an empowered society.e-Development of India through multi pronged strategy of e-Infrastructure creation to facilitate and promote e-governance, promotion of Electronics & Information Technology- Information Technology Enabled Services (IT-ITeS) Industry, providing support for creation of Innovation / Research & Development (R&D), building Knowledge network and securing India's cyber space.

 The Ministry of Environment & Forests (MoEF), is the nodal agency in the administrative structure of the Central Government for the planning, promotion, co-ordination and overseeing the implementation of India's environmental and forestry policies and programmes.The primary concerns of the Ministry are implementation of policies and programmes relating to conservation of the country's natural resources including its lakes and rivers, its biodiversity, forests and wildlife, ensuring the welfare of animals, and the prevention and abatement of pollution.

 Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MFPI),was established by the government of India in the year1988.The ministry focuses on policy issues relating to the promotion of food processing in the country which would result in reduction in losses, efficient storage & transportation, processing, increase in shelf life of food products, availability of fresh & processed products at resonable prices to the consumers and better income to the farmers.

 Central Power Research Institute (CPRI), is the power house of the Indian electrical industry. Set up in 1960 by the Government of India, it functions as a centre for applied research in electrical power engineering assisting the electrical industry in product development and quality assurance. CPRI also serves as an independent authority for testing and certification of power equipment. CPRI's governing body includes eminent professionals from industries & utilities, prestigious academic and research institutions & the government.

 Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment (MOSJE), in the year 1985-86, the erstwhile Ministry of Welfare was bifurcated into the Department of Women and Child Development and the Department of Welfare. Simultaneously, the Scheduled Castes Development Division, Tribal Development Division and the Minorities and Backward Classes Welfare Division were moved from the Ministry of Home Affairs and also the Wakf Division from the Ministry of Law to form the then Ministry of Welfare.

 Ministry of Water resources (MOWR), India is endowed with a rich and vast diversity of natural resources, water being one of them. Its development and management plays a vital role in agriculture production. Integrated water management is vital for poverty reduction, environmental sustenance and sustainable economic development. National Water Policy (2002) envisages that the water resources of the country should be developed and managed in an integrated manner.

 Petroleum Conservation Research Association (PCRA), One of the major objectives of PCRA is “To promote Research, Development and Deployment efforts aimed at petroleum conservation and environment protection, support and facilitate efforts aimed at petroleum conservation and environment protection, support and facilitate efforts for adoption and dissemination of fuel efficient technologies and substitution of petroleum products with alternate fuels, and renewable. Also to establish synergistic institutional linkages at the national & international levels in the areas of petroleum conservation and environment protection”. 

 University Grant Commission (UGC),The UGC, however, was formally established only in November 1956 as a statutory body of the Government of India through an Act of Parliament for the coordination, determination and maintenance of standards of university education in India. In order to ensure effective region-wise coverage throughout the country.

 National Science Foundation (NSF)NSF provides grants and awards to graduate students and postdoctoral fellows for social, behavioral, and economic research, among other program areas.

 National Institute of Health:   NIH is a biomedical research facility primarily located in Bethesda, Maryland, USA. An agency of the United States Department of Health and Human Services, it is the primary agency of the United States government responsible for biomedical and health-related research. The NIH both conducts its own scientific research through its Intramural Research Program and provides major biomedical research funding to non-NIH research facilities through its Extramural Research Program.

 The Department of Atomic Energy (DAE), Government of India is a broad based multidisciplinary organization engaged in the development and deployment of nuclear technology. Directorate of Purchase & Stores (DPS) under DAE is the centralized agency responsible for the materials management function of the various R&D centers of DAE. 

 GAIL India: GAIL (India) Ltd was incorporated in August 1984 as a Central Public Sector Undertaking (PSU) under the Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas (MoP&NG). The company was initially given the responsibility of construction, operation & maintenance of the Hazira – Vijaypur – Jagdishpur (HVJ) pipeline Project. It was one of the largest cross-country natural gas pipeline projects in the world. Originally this 1800 Km long pipeline was built at a cost of Rs 1700 Crores and it laid the foundation for development of market for natural Gas in India. 

 Department of Indian Systems of Medicine and Homoeopathy (ISM&H) was created in March,1995 and re-named as Department of Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy (AYUSH) in November, 2003 with a view to providing focused attention to development of Education & Research in Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy systems. The Department continued to lay emphasis on upgradation of AYUSH educational standards, quality control and standardization of drugs, improving the availability of medicinal plant material, research and development and awareness generation about the efficacy of the systems domestically and internationally.

 Coal India Limited: India is currently among the top three fastest growing economies of the world. As a natural corollary India's energy needs too are fast expanding with its increased industrialization and capacity addition in Power generation. This is where 'Coal' steps in. In India coal is the critical input for major infrastructure industries like Power, Steel and Cement.

 The Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DOT) is the Telecom Technology development centre of the Government of India. It was established in August 1984 as an autonomous body. It was vested with full authority and total flexibility to develop state-of-the-art telecommunication technology to meet the needs of the Indian telecommunication network. The key objective was to build a centre for excellence in the area of telecom technology.

 Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC) is the premier R&D organization of the Department of Electronics and Information Technology (DeitY), Ministry of Communications & Information Technology (MCIT) for carrying out R&D in IT, Electronics and associated areas. Different areas of C-DAC, had originated at different times, many of which came out as a result of identification of opportunities.

 Aeronautics Research and Development Board (AR&DB) is national body for co-ordinating and funding of futuristic research/development programmes in Aeronautics. AR&DB was the consequence of the Subramaniam Committee report and was constituted by Government of India in 1971. The Board replaced the Aeronautical Research Council of CSIR and Aeronautical Research and Development Panel of DRDO. 

 Indian National Science Academy, a premier science Academy in the country, plays crucial role in promoting, recognizing and rewarding excellence. It recognizes many top young scientists, engineers and technologists by awarding them medals, providing modest support for pursuing research activities to needy young researchers. Senior scientists are honoured with different awards/medals and the prestigious Research Professorship. Superannuated fellows of the Academy are given limited grant through Senior Scientist, Honorary scientist schemes etc. Through Academy exchange programme with different overseas academies, the scientists are facilitated to visit research institutions abroad and also foreign scientists visit India to lecture/scientific discussions in different institutions in the country under the programme.

 Welcome Trust: Our funding supports the brightest minds in biomedical research and the medical humanities, with the aim of improving human and animal health. We offer a wide variety of funding schemes, including Investigator Awards, fellowships and Strategic Awards, and also support several major initiatives.

 Bill and Melinda Gates The foundation works to reduce inequities around the world. In the developing world, it focuses on improving health and alleviating extreme poverty. In the United States, the foundation supports programs related to education. In its local region, the foundation promotes strategies and programs that help low income families. The foundation is based in Seattle, Washington, with regional offices in Washington, D.C., New Delhi, India, Beijing, China and London, United Kingdom. Its trustees are Bill and Melinda Gates, and Warren Buffett.

 Naval Research Board: The Board has instituted a a Grants-in-Aid Scheme to nurture research talent and to create resarch facilities in IITs, universities, Higher Technological institutions, colleges and other research centers. 

 NGOs: Here we are providing list of international funding agencies, donors, Philanthrophy groups and charity organisations. The enlisted organisations are selected from the informations provided by NGOs, networks and various other sources. Funding agencies provide support and funding to non-profits, grass-root level NGOs, organisations; but the agencies provide funds and support according to their own guidelines, terms and parameters. The listing of donor and other related agencies, persons, organisations provided here is only for information purpose. We are not affiliated with any agency, we do not endorse or recommend any agency or organisation for any purpose. This information has been provided for contact purpose only, assuming that the enlisted agencies support or help volunteers, NGOs and groups for their social cause or entrepreneurship.

 Global Research Council - The virtual organization, comprised of the heads of science and engineering funding agencies from around the world, is dedicated to promoting the sharing of data and best practices for collaboration among funding agencies worldwide.

 International Council for Science: Committee on Data for Science and Technology - CODATA works to improve the quality, reliability, management and accessibility of data of importance to all fields of science and technology.

 International Council for Scientific and Technical Information - ICSTI provides a forum for interaction between organizations that create, disseminate and use scientific and technical information. Information about the organization, membership, reports and events. 

 International Union of Academies (IUA) - Aims to encourage, through collaborative research and publications, those branches of learning promoted by its members including philology, archeology, history, the moral, political and social sciences. 

 The National Academies - Advisers to the Nation on science, engineering and medicine, addressing critical national issues and giving advice to the federal government and the public.

Following is a list of Research Funding Agencies available at National Level which can be approached for Research Work
































No comments:

Post a Comment