Shivkumar Kalyanaraman, the Chief Executive Officer of the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF), highlighted a significant shift towards outcome-focused scientific research during his recent trip to the CSIR National Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Technology (CSIR–NIIST) in Thiruvananthapuram. Kalyanaraman stressed the need for India’s research landscape to prioritize tangible societal and national impacts over purely academic achievements. He mentioned ANRF’s focus on funding projects capable of moving from labs to real-world applications, indicating a move towards translational science.
With a background in global technology and research organizations like Microsoft, GE Power, and IBM Research, Kalyanaraman emphasized the importance of integrating industry, academia, and government efforts. He encouraged researchers to propose ambitious, mission-driven projects, assuring that financial limitations would not hinder initiatives showing concrete results. The visit is timely as ANRF, a newly established body, initiates large-scale funding programs, including Research, Development, and Innovation (RDI) endeavors.
Kalyanaraman’s visit to CSIR–NIIST involved a review of various interdisciplinary research initiatives, including projects on Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage (CCUS) for carbon management and climate action, as well as advancements in sustainable food processing technologies. He also explored the institute’s Designer Rice program, focused on developing nutritionally enhanced rice varieties with improved glycaemic responses to address public health and food security challenges.
C. Anandharamakrishnan, Director of CSIR–NIIST, highlighted that the interaction with Kalyanaraman provided valuable insights into national research priorities and paved the way for collaborative, interdisciplinary work aligned with mission-driven objectives. This visit aligns with India’s science administration’s strategic shift towards bridging the gap between laboratory innovations and practical applications, positioning research as a crucial driver of economic progress and societal change.
