In a significant move to accelerate the transformation of India’s research ecosystem, the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) and the Wadhwani Foundation exchanged a landmark Letter of Intent at the Innovation Conclave YUGM held at Bharat Mandapam here in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Science and Technology Minister, Dr Jitendra Singh and Union Education Minister, Dharmendra Pradhan. The partnership signals a first-of-its-kind collaboration between a government-backed apex research institution and a philanthropic private foundation, aimed at co-funding and scaling up research that can drive tangible societal impact. The agreement is also the inaugural step in ANRF’s strategy to foster expansive public-private partnerships across critical sectors of national relevance. Dr Jitendra Singh, who has been at the forefront of India’s science and innovation transformation, said the initiative reflects the government’s resolve to create an enabling environment where research transcends academic silos and reaches the ground. “This is a step towards institutionalising synergy between government, industry, and philanthropy,” he said, underlining the need for collaborative models that amplify both funding and outcomes. The ANRF, established under the National Education Policy 2020, was envisioned as a transformative body to democratise research, catalyse innovation, and bridge the long-standing gaps between academia, policy, and industry. With this new partnership, ANRF aims not only to fund cutting-edge science, but also to translate research into scalable, impactful solutions by aligning with national priorities and global challenges alike. Wadhwani Foundation’s involvement adds a crucial layer of experience in fostering entrepreneurship and innovation-driven development, especially among youth and start-ups. Together, the two entities will work to raise the scale and impact of late-stage translational research—projects that are often closest to delivering real-world outcomes but remain underfunded. The collaboration also marks a turning point in how research will be funded and delivered in India in the times to come—emphasising inclusivity, interdisciplinary, and grassroots reach. In line with ANRF’s broader vision, this partnership aims to promote equitable access to resources and opportunities across the country, including tier-2 and tier-3 institutions, thereby fostering a more distributed and resilient research culture. News source: PIB