HPU secures Rs 10.23 crore grant in collaboration with IIT-Ropar

Himachal Pradesh University (HPU) has been sanctioned a grant of Rs 10.23 crore under the Partnerships for Accelerated Innovation and Research (PAIR) programme of the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF).

Vice-Chancellor Prof Mahavir Singh said the university has joined hands with the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Ropar, for this initiative. IIT-Ropar is serving as the hub institution while the HPU and other partner institutions are functioning as spokes. The joint proposal, titled “Dynamic Research Ecosystem for Advanced Materials (DREAMS)”, was submitted to ANRF in December 2024 under the thematic area of Advanced Materials.

Prof Singh explained that under the PAIR programme, funding of up to Rs 100 crore will be allocated to participating institutions in a 30:70 ratio between hub and spokes. The programme has been specifically designed to strengthen research capacity in institutions where research is still at a nascent stage but holds significant potential. By pairing such institutions with well-established research leaders, PAIR aims to accelerate growth in a structured mentorship mode.

Elaborating on the model, Prof Singh said the hub-and-spoke framework works on a “pull-and-push” approach. “While the hub pulls together the skills and potential of the spokes to drive research activities, it also pushes back scientific excellence and resources to enable their rapid progress. This not only bridges the institutional gap but also serves as a catalyst for transformative research,” he added.

Calling the grant a “paradigm shift” for HPU, the Vice-Chancellor said it would help strengthen the university’s research ecosystem, thereby improving its rankings and accreditation. He congratulated the project team for securing the milestone funding and termed it a turning point in HPU’s journey toward research excellence.