2D Material Research Fab and Innovation Hub (2D Innovation Hub)
About Mission for Advancement in High-impact Areas (MAHA) Scheme, ANRF
ANRF, a statutory body of the Government of India,
has been established to provide high level strategic direction for
research, innovation and entrepreneurship in fields of natural
sciences and scientific and technological interfaces of humanities
& social sciences to promote, monitor and provide support as
required as per recommendations of the National Education Policy.
Mission for Advancement in High-impact Areas (MAHA) is a
program under ANRF to support priority-centric, solution-based
research in Mission mode focusing at some key areas in alignment
with nation’s prime requirements. It is envisaged to be
multi-disciplinary, multi-institutional and multi-investigator
projects with industrial partnerships in the best sorted areas of
immediate concern.
ANRF had identified 2D Innovation Hub to demonstrate the interdisciplinary 2D materials-based innovations with a clear pathway towards establishment of R&D Ecosystem to enable translation, commercialization and deployment of technologies for nations need.
The objectives of the 2D Innovation Hub are to establish an ecosystem for conducting R&D in 2D materials-based technologies for electronic applications. The hub seeks to design and develop indigenous 2D materials-based technologies, prototypes, devices, components, products, sub-systems, and systems for a wide range of applications. It also emphasizes capacity building and intellectual property generation. Furthermore, the hub is committed to supporting startups and fostering entrepreneurship by providing mentorship, incubation, and access to resources. Finally, it aims to propose a governance structure and a strategy to ensure long-term self-sustainability.
About R&D Scheme, MeitY
The Ministry of Electronics and
Information Technology (MeitY), a central ministry of the
Government of India, is a stand-alone ministerial agency,
responsible for formulating and implementing national policies and
programs aimed at enabling the continuous development of the
electronics and IT industry. MeitY focuses on human resource
development and promotes R&D and innovation in electronics and
IT with a strong emphasis on emerging sectors.
R&D Scheme at MeitY supports academia, R&D organizations,
start-ups/ MSMEs, and domestic companies & multinationals;
with a long-term roadmap to push the boundaries of current
knowledge to create new innovations, solutions, know-how of
various processes technologies, IPs, Systems and products and
ensure advancements to benefit societies, industries, and
economies at large.
1. Aim and Objectives of 2D Innovation Hub
1.1
Aim
To foster and nurture scientific and industrial
R&D in 2D materials-based technologies, establishing an
innovative ecosystem in India that drives research and
development, commercialization, and deployment of indigenous
technologies for various application/sectors.
1.2
Objectives
- To establish an ecosystem to carry out R&D in 2D
materials-based technologies for electronics applications.
- To design and develop indigenous 2D materials-based
technologies/
prototypes/devices/components/products/sub-systems/systems for
a wide range of applications.
- Capacity building and IP generation.
- To support startups and foster entrepreneurship by
providing mentorship, incubation, and access.
- To propose a governance structure and a strategy to
make the hub self-sustainable.
2. Focus Areas under 2D Innovation Hub
The proposals shall focus on at least 2 (and
preferably more) out of the following sectors identified below
(for the development of electronic devices/ products/systems),
(other areas may be proposed with justification):
- Sensors for various sectors
- Emerging Electronics based Devices (Beyond Si
Nanoelectronics, 2D Microprocessor Chip, etc.)
- Optoelectronics Devices (Next Gen LED, Photodetectors,
etc.)
- Memory devices
- 2D Memristor and Neuromorphic Devices
- Quantum Technologies based Devices (Qubits &
SPDs/SPEs, etc.)
- Co-integration with established technologies such as
CMOS, FinFET, etc.
- Challenges specific to Strategic Sector (Flexible
Electronics, etc.)
The number of sectors/verticals for which credible and viable
proposals are submitted will be given due weightage in the
evaluation of the proposals.
3. Duration and Eligibility Criteria
3.1
Duration
The duration of the project may be maximum
up-to 5 years based on the complexity and nature of the project.
However, a further plan for sustainability of the hub/deployment
of the developed technologies need to be included.
3.2 Eligibility Criteria
3.2.1.
For Academia/R&D organizations
- Applicants [Lead Principal Investigator (LPI) and
Principal Investigator(s) (PI(s))] should be Indian citizens.
Foreign nationals (including OCI and NRI) are also eligible to
apply provided they fulfil the eligibility criteria by ANRF.
- The applicant(s) must hold a regular academic/research
position in a recognized Government/Private academic
institution/national laboratory/ any other recognized R&D
institution in India with proven track record in the relevant
domain.
- Private academic institutions with valid UGC/AICTE/PCI
approval, Private R&D organizations with valid DSIR-SIRO
recognition and voluntary and non-governmental organizations
registered under NITI-AAYOG Darpan portal are only eligible.
- LPI and PI(s) should have at least 5 years of service
remaining at the time of submission of the proposal.
- Proposals involving multiple institutions with some prior
R&D infrastructure and expertise in the relevant domain will be
given preference.
- Pre-identified dedicated site for establishing a single
location 2D Innovation Hub need to be proposed.
3.2.2. Criteria for industry participating
as funding agency
- Companies/LLPs engaged/interested in R&D including
startups (as per the DPIIT notification dated 19th February 2019
or extant norms), MSMEs (as per the Gazette Notification by
Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, dated 1st June
2020 or extant norms) and Indian companies/ LLP which are
incorporated in India under the Companies Act, 2013/ the Limited
Liability Act, 2008 and the Companies/ LLPs having foreign
investment in strict compliance with the Consolidated FDI Policy
of 2020 or extant norms is eligible to partner with IA as a
funding agency.
3.3 IPR Ownership
The
intellectual property rights (IPR) of the technologies developed
will remain with the IAs, while the funding industry will hold the
first right of refusal.
The proposal may clearly define year wise deliverables (Key
Performance Indicators (KPI)) (Patents, Technologies,
Prototypes, Transfer of Technologies (ToTs), Devices,
Start-up incubation, etc.) with commercialization strategy.
The proposal should include:
- At least 2 market ready products (preferably more)
as per user requirement by the end of project need to be
proposed in the proposal. Purely software-based products
will not be considered. The complete value chain for the
identified products/technology (design, development,
testing, packaging etc.)
- Tangible technologies with high TRL >7
- Number of good quality IPs (not less than 10 Ips
(preferably more)) (The IPR norms will be as per ANRF and
MeitY)
- No of ToTs (not less than 5 ToTs) (preferably more)
- Total number of startups
- to be incubated (minimum 3) (preferably more)
- to be mentored (minimum 10 startup) (preferably
more)
- that can access the facilities in reasonable &
transparent manner
- Short-term, mid-term and long-term milestones and
deliverables
- Plan for technology exploitation and market
readiness
- Skilled Manpower
Only one hub is to be supported under the Call with multiple
Spokes and Spikes. The roles and responsibilities are as
follows:
5.1. Roles and
responsibilities of the Hub
Some of the roles and
responsibilities of Hub (not limiting to) are as follows:
- Establishment of R&D ecosystem as a section-8
company to be accessed by academia and industry for
translational R&D
- Registration of the Section-8 company under the
Companies Act, 2013.
- Constitution of Advisory committee/ Governance
structure for the section 8 company and Review committee
for execution of Innovation Hub activities.
- Identification of spokes and engagement with the
spokes with respect to technical and financial monitoring.
- Hub will be responsible to the technology
development and for delivering the tangible outcomes
committed under the proposal in terms of KPIs.
- Generation of skilled manpower through exchange
programmes, training workshops, seminars,
hands-on-training, etc.
- Startup incubation and startup support
- Development and launch of a national web-portal for
2D Innovation Hub.
- Conduct grand-challenges/Hackathons
- Benchmarking, develop market ready product,
market-outreach for the proposed technologies.
- Identify a governance structure and a
sustainability plan for the post-project period.
- To develop a national 2D materials database
(material design, simulation platforms, SoP, etc.).
- Provision for engaging deep-tech startup
accelerator for seed funding, IP-sharing norms, and
connections to VCs/angel investors.
- To develop long-Term Sustainability & Business
Model: Define industry subscription models, revenue-sharing
from IP/ToT, service-based facility access to
start-ups/users, or public–private partnerships beyond the
grant period.
5.2. Roles and responsibilities of
the Spoke /Spike
Some of the roles and
responsibilities of the Spoke/Spike (not limiting to) are as
follows:
- To carry out R&D aligned with the technology
roadmap of the Hub as per the proposed innovation outcomes.
- Each identified Spoke may focus on one specific
material/technology.
- Generation of skilled manpower through exchange
programmes, training workshops, seminars,
hands-on-training, etc.
5.3 Industry partner(s) will be
responsible for the following activities:
Some of
the roles and responsibilities of the industry partners (not
limiting to) are as follows:
- Handhold/Co-develop the solution in collaboration
with the Hub/Spokes/Spikes
- Provide a test bed for field trials/clinical trials
if available
- Conduct market study
- Provide the requirement/specifications for any
identified technology/solution based on 2D materials.
- To carry forward the technology know how by setting
up the pilot production/manufacturing line.
- Project proposals with multiple PIs from other academic institutions/R&D organizations are invited in consortium mode.
- 2D Innovation Hub is required to be led by experts
with proven track record in related areas and working in
regular positions in recognized academic institutions,
public funded R&D organization, etc. The LPI should identify
the Innovation Hub partners (from same institution and other
partnering institutions), their roles and responsibilities
and work towards the project targets/objectives for the
successful completion. Post selection of the project, funds
will be allocated to LPI or nodal implementing agency which
will in turn be distributed to other academic/ R&D lab
partners. Industry is not eligible to submit proposals as
LPI.
- Participation of industries/PSUs/start-ups is
mandatory with matching contribution (preferable in cash).
The industry partner is expected to provide funding in cash
(preferred) or in-kind (in the way of extending R&D
facilities, providing test beds or systems for testing and
validation, etc.) towards the successful execution of the
project.
- In 2D Innovation Hub, a minimum of 3 PIs (preferably
more) shall be involved from the same institution with
clearly defined roles and responsibilities and time with
proper justification. The fund will be transferred to the
Hub only. Funding may be proposed for the PIs participating
from other institutions (excluding capital head).
- The research grant is provided to the Hub under the
capital head of ANRF and under the GIA head of MeitY for
equipment including software, license fees and warranty
charges, plant cost/fabrication systems/demonstration
models; and under general head for research personnel,
consumables, travel, contingency and other cost (user
charges/outsource work, etc.). The "Overhead" will be as per
the ANRF-OM dated Oct 14, 2024. No budget provision for
Capital for the proposals submitted by Spokes. In case of
specific requirement, budget under capital may be considered
and approved by the competent authority subject to the
justification provided.
- Priority will be given to research proposals that
lead to the development of technologies and products capable
of commercialization at the industry level. Clear pathways
to global IP generation and technology transfer should be
provided.
- ANRF and MeitY may suggest restructuring the
proposals and reorganization of members of the consortia
based on the nature of area of work, merits and technology
requirements. Accordingly, it may be requested to submit
revised project proposal.
- An expert committee needs to be constituted for the
monitoring and smooth functioning of the 2D Innovation Hub
with one representative from ANRF and MeitY each.
- The IPR sharing for hub, spokes, spikes and
participating industry needs to be clearly defined. The
non-exclusive right to the industry partner will be
preferred. However, the first right of refusal may be kept
with industry partner.
- Commercial exploitation of the IP created, conceived
or developed under the project shall be done in a manner
such that the associated revenue/ profits and/ or royalty
are received by the approved applicant in India and are
subject to tax in India, in compliance with applicable laws
in India.
- Exclusionary clause: The approved applicants that
receive incentives, benefits or support under the scheme
shall retain ownership of the Intellectual Property (“IP”)
created, conceived or developed under the project.
- “Intellectual Property Rights” for the purpose of
this Scheme means any copyright and related rights, patents,
rights to inventions, registered designs, database rights,
design rights, topography rights, trademarks, service marks,
trade names and domain names, trade secrets, rights in
unpatented know-how, rights of confidence and any other
intellectual or industrial property rights of any nature
including all applications (or rights to apply) for, and
renewals or extensions of such rights and all similar or
equivalent rights or forms of protection which subsist or
will subsist now or in the future in any part of the world.
- The proposal focus should be on the development of
electronic devices/ products/systems.
- Submission of Memorandum of Association (MoA) from
the industry/User/others will be preferred along with the
proposal.
- One or more industries can contribute to the
project. Engagement of the industry in R&D will be
preferred.
Note: It is strongly recommended that the
LPI identify the industry and secure their commitment in
principle before submitting the proposal. It is desirable
that broad framework of active collaborations among consortia
members (LPI, PI, Spokes (if identified)) be included in the
proposal. The PI should focus on more industry-oriented
problems, as the ultimate goal of the R&D project is to
develop technology or devices for the industry that may
further be used in the country. The PIs must be specific
about the deliverables and targets of the proposal and
categorically mention the industry's scientific role in
achieving the objectives.
7.1 Evaluation
A joint expert group
called as Innovation Hub Advisory Committee (IHAC)
constituted by ANRF and MeitY would consider the proposals
for feasibility and carry out technical and financial
evaluations for the recommendation for financial support.
Selection will be based on:
- Scientific and technical merit of the LPIs and PIs.
- Capability of the Academic Institute/R&D
organization, including existing infrastructure and prior
work in the area.
- Innovation potential
- Commercialization prospects
- Role of Industry/ Start-up
- Alignment with national priorities
- Sustainability plan beyond the project tenure
A concise concept note (as per a
prescribed format) should be submitted in addition to the
full proposal (along with all requisite documents) before the
deadline. The proposals will be reviewed at two levels,
namely, Level A and Level B.
- Level A: Concept notes will be screened at this
stage and only the full proposals of the short-listed
Concept notes will be reviewed further.
- Level B: The shortlisted full proposals will be
subjected to rigorous assessment with the help of subject
matter experts. If required, the LPI and PIs of the full
proposals that clear the review process, may be invited for
a discussion/presentation.
IHAC will recommend the proposals, and
the Executive Committee (EC) of ANRF and MeitY will give the
final approval.
- LPI is eligible to apply for only one proposal
during a call.
- Only one proposal to be submitted from one
implementing agency as LPI.
- The Call for applications will be notified through
the “online portal” of ANRF website www.anrfonline.in.
- The proposals under 2D Innovation Hub should be
submitted only through online portal of ANRF. The proposals
submitted in any other mode/platform will not be considered
by ANRF.
For successful online submission of the application, the following points may be noted:
- LPI and PI(s) should first register on official
website click here to register.
- After log-in, applicant(s) are required to fill all
the mandatory fields in Profile Detail section 22.
- Some of the key elements of the proposal should be
defined clearly such as Project Title (max 500 characters),
Project summary (max 3000 characters), Keywords (max 6),
Objectives of project (max 1500 characters), Target values
being set for the Projects, Expected output and outcome of
the proposal (max 1500 characters).
- Other Technical Details (OTD) of the proposal has to
be uploaded as a single file in PDF format.