Policy Update
Madhur Thapar
Background
In this ever-changing world, research and collaboration are key features that help us adapt to new challenges. SPARC for India is a significant move in this regard.
The scheme for promotion of academic and research collaboration is a flagship initiative launched in August 2018 by the Ministry of Education. Officially coordinated by the Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, the basic idea behind the scheme was to improve the research ecosystem in Indian higher educational institutions. 1
Before the establishment of SPARC, international research collaborations involving Indian institutions were often informal and driven by individual faculty interests rather than institutional strategies. The absence of structured funding and comprehensive frameworks often constrained their scale and impact. Recognising this gap, SPARC was launched to facilitate structured, proposal-based, outcome-driven research partnerships. The scheme aimed to transform India into a global research hub while nurturing a new generation of scholars with international exposure and world-class research capabilities.
Objectives
SPARC aims to create an environment of impactful academic cooperation by supporting visits and long-term stays of top international faculty at Indian institutions to promote teaching and research. It also encourages Indian students to gain hands-on training in leading global laboratories, while enabling joint research projects between Indian and foreign institutions. Faculty exchanges, development of niche courses, publication of world-class books, and creation of translatable technologies further strengthen this vision. SPARC also focuses on building strong bilateral academic and research partnerships through workshops and ensures that research outcomes are widely shared and showcased through major international conferences held in India.
Functioning
SPARC functions through a competitive funding mechanism that supports joint research proposals co-developed by Indian and foreign institutions. It has a structured system to help Indian universities connect and collaborate with some of the best universities in the world. Only top Indian institutions such as IITs, IISc, leading central universities and those ranked among the top 100 in the NIRF can apply.
Foreign universities must be ranked among the top 500 globally or within the top 200 in their subject area. Indian researchers can team up with foreign professors to create a joint research project. Each project must include at least two visits by foreign faculty to India where they work together on research, organise lectures, and hold workshops for students. 2
With respect to the technicalities, SPARC funds travel costs, accommodation, research materials and workshops for foreign faculty. However, it does not cover major lab infrastructure. Each project can receive up to ₹12 crore in funding. For larger projects exceeding ₹5 crore, at least three Indian institutions must be involved to ensure wider participation and shared benefits. Additionally, proposals must be unique and cannot overlap with other centrally funded schemes.
A unique feature of SPARC is its focus on five broad thrust areas, which guide the direction of all collaborative projects. These thrust areas include- 3
- Fundamental research: Focuses on development of theoretical knowledge.
- Emergent areas of impact: Focus on areas like renewable energy, clean water technologies, etc.
- Convergence: Emphasis on an interdisciplinary approach.
- Action oriented research: research is designed to develop solutions for societal challenges.
- Innovation driven research: The focus is on developing practical technologies, prototypes and digital tools.
Applications for SPARC funding are submitted online through the official SPARC portal managed by IIT Kharagpur. Interested Indian faculty members first prepare a detailed joint proposal together with their foreign collaborators. The proposal should indicate a clear research plan. Details of the expected foreign faculty visit, workshop plans, expected outcomes and budget estimates. Once submitted, proposals are reviewed by expert committees to ensure they meet quality standards and align with the five thrust areas. Funding is granted only after approval. 4
Performance
SPARC has been implemented in three distinct phases, renewing its focus of interest in each phase. The first phase (2018-2020) focused on building networks for international academic cooperation. It encouraged Indian researchers to explore fundamental sciences, renewable energy, environmental monitoring, artificial intelligence, and bioinformatics. In this phase, 284 proposals were approved, involving around 100 top international partner universities. The outcomes were impressive: over 500 joint publications, more than 300 workshops and training programs across India, and approximately 30 patent filings. This phase introduced Indian academia to a more systematic and global approach to collaborative research.5
The second phase (2020-2023) shifted focus towards application driven, problem solving research in key sectors like advanced healthcare, smart manufacturing, urban sustainability and new materials. Mandatory activities like joint publications and national workshops were opened to participants from different institutions. During this phase, 266 proposals were sanctioned, resulting in around 699 journal articles, 383 workshops, and around 30 patents and technology prototypes. A notable example was the SPJIMR- Russia project on circular economy funded with ₹7.8 million, which focused on industrial waste and resource optimisation. 6
The third phase, which began in 2023, and will run till 2026, is aligned with broader national and international goals. With an approved budget of ₹425.2 crore, it focuses on climate change, semiconductor technologies, artificial intelligence and more. Phase 3 has stricter guidelines. It requires at least two foreign faculty visits and mandates multi institutional participation for big projects. So far, 133 projects have been approved, and early outputs include development of new course modules in AI and sustainability, early stage patents on advanced materials and the creation of shared virtual labs. 7
Impact
SPARC’s impact has been transformative for India’s research and higher educational ecosystem. Across all phases, more than 650 collaborative projects have been supported, resulting in almost 1700 research papers and over 900 workshops nationwide. Around 80 patents and technology prototypes have been developed, reflecting SPARC’s strong translation and societal relevance
Some of the articles from SPARC Phase-I were published in prestigious high impact journals such as ACS Nano (impact factor 18.0), Chemical Engineering Journal (16.7), and Environment International (13.4). This demonstrates the high quality and global relevance of research emerging from SPARC-supported projects.
Qualitatively, it has strengthened India’s academic reputation on the global stage. It has created a generation of scholars and faculty who are well-versed in global research cultures and advanced interdisciplinary methodologies. This scheme has also led to the creation of a curriculum that integrates international perspective creating a holistic academic experience for Indian students. New networks like the German-Indian academic network 8 and Indo- Australian collaborative initiative have emerged as byproducts of SPARC, further reinstating its global connectivity. Both these networks were formed by advancing connections that were made under SPARC.
Emerging issues
Despite the success, SPARC faces several criticisms. A significant concern is the concentration of projects in institutions like IITs and IISc, limiting opportunities for state and mid-tier universities. Exclusion of infrastructure and equipment from funds proves to be a little discouraging and limits participation in researches which require high-end facilities. SPARC has a constant need to go big in terms of its projects; this limits opportunities for small-scale initiatives. Additionally, there is a lack of data and transparency for the public, hence there is no definitive regularly updated data. This limits our understanding of the success of the project.
Way forward
Several policy adjustments are necessary to improve SPARCs functioning. Inclusion of mid tier and state universities could be a revolutionary step, leading to equitable access. Expanding the funding scope to include partial infrastructure support would encourage lab based projects. Reforming the intellectual property framework to ensure more balanced sharing of rights can strengthen trust and long-term partnerships with foreign institutions. Overall, strengthening and expanding the scheme will be vital as India aspires to become a global leader in science, technology and innovation, contributing meaningfully to the vision of a Viksit Bharat.
References
- IIT Kharagpur. (2024). SPARC Official Portal. https://sparc.iitkgp.ac.in/
- Ministry of Education. (2018). Call for Proposals under SPARC. Government of India. https://www.education.gov.in/sites/upload_files/mhrd/files/upload_document/Call-for-Proposals-SPARC.pdf
- Sansad of India. (2022). Answer to Unstarred Question No. 1794 regarding SPARC funding allocation. https://sansad.in/getFile/annex/266/AU1794_NDgaER.pdf?source=pqars
- Scribd. (2023). SPARC Phase III Call Document. https://www.scribd.com/document/709960451/SPARC-Phase-III-Call
- UKIERI. (2024). SPARC Support Programme: Journey. http://ukieri.org/journey/sparc_support_programme
- Vikaspedia. (2024). Scheme for Promotion of Academic and Research Collaboration (SPARC). Government of India. https://education.vikaspedia.in/viewcontent/education/policies-and-schemes/scheme-for-promotion-of-academic-and-research-collaboration?lgn=en
About the Contributor: Madhur Thapar is a Research Intern at IMPRI. She is currently pursuing her undergraduate degree in Political Science from Kamala Nehru College, University of Delhi. Her research interests include public policy, international relations, and psychology.
Acknowledgement: The author extends sincere gratitude to Ms. Aasthaba Jadeja for her invaluable guidance and mentorship throughout the research process.
Disclaimer: All views expressed in the article belong solely to the author and not necessarily to the organisation.
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