Scheme for Promotion of Academic and Research Collaboration

✦Key Features

• Facilitates collaboration between top Indian HEIs and leading international universities.
• Supports long-term research visits by distinguished foreign faculty to Indian institutions.
• Funds joint research projects, workshops, conferences, and publications in identified thrust areas.
• Focuses on creating a strong research environment and promoting a culture of innovation.
• Identifies specific thrust areas for research to address societal needs and global challenges.

✓Eligibility Criteria

• Indian Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) recognized by UGC/AICTE are eligible to participate.
• Faculty members from eligible Indian HEIs can propose collaborative projects.
• Foreign faculty/researchers from top-ranked international universities are eligible as collaborators.
• Research proposals must align with the identified thrust areas of the SPARC scheme.

★Benefits

• Access to international research expertise, advanced infrastructure, and global best practices.
• Significant enhancement in the quality and quantity of research output from Indian HEIs.
• Opportunities for faculty and student exchange, fostering global academic exposure.
• Improved global ranking and reputation of participating Indian institutions.
• Development of a strong and sustainable research culture within India.

▶Application Process

• Indian HEIs submit detailed research proposals through the designated SPARC online portal.
• Proposals undergo a rigorous evaluation process by expert committees based on merit, relevance, and potential impact.
• Selected proposals receive approval and funding allocation from the Ministry of Education.
• Project implementation begins, with regular progress monitoring and reporting.
• Research outcomes are expected to be disseminated through publications, conferences, and other platforms.

₹ Budget Allocation

500

Funding Ratio (Centre:State): 100% Central funding for approved projects (budget for travel, scholarship, and research materials).

Historical Context

Launched in 2018 to address the lack of international research exposure among Indian PhD students.

Sub-Schemes

Challenges

• Complex visa and administrative procedures for visiting foreign faculty
• Mismatch in academic calendars between India and foreign partners
• Sustainability of research beyond the 2-year funding cycle
• Data sovereignty issues in high-tech research

Reforms & Recommendations

• Inclusion of top 200 NIRF institutes to democratize research access
• Provision for long-term 'virtual laboratories' after project completion
• Alignment of SPARC projects with 'Viksit Bharat 2047' goals

Performance Statistics

SDG Linkages

Constitutional Backing

Technology Used

Success Stories

Key Takeaways

• Funding for 2-year joint research projects
• Mandatory visit of foreign faculty and Indian students
• Outcome based: Patents, publications, or new courses
• Focus on 5 Thrust Areas (Fundamental, Emerging, Convergence, Action-oriented, Innovation-driven)

Convergence Schemes

• GIAN (Global Initiative of Academic Networks)
• IMPRINT (Impacting Research Innovation and Technology)
• National Research Foundation (NRF)

Sector Tags