Cyber Physical Systems (CPS) are new class of engineered systems that integrate computation and physical processes in a dynamic environment. CPS encompasses technology areas of Cybernetics, Mechatronics, Design and Embedded systems, Internet of Things (IoT), Big Data, Artificial Intelligence (AI) and many more. The CPS systems are intelligent, autonomous and efficient and are expected to drive innovation in sectors as diverse as agriculture, water, energy, transportation, infrastructure, security, health and manufacturing. Thus, it is heralded as the next paradigm shift in technology that can exponentially spur growth and development.
To harness the potential of this new wave of technology and make India a leading player in CPS, the Union Cabinet approved the launch of National Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber-Physical Systems (NM-ICPS) to be implemented by the Department of Science & Technology (DST) with a total outlay of Rs. 3660 Crore for a period of five years. The Mission aims to create a strong foundation and a seamless ecosystem for CPS technologies by coordinating and integrating nationwide efforts encompassing knowledge generation, human resource development, research, technology and product development, innovation and commercialization.The mission will be implemented through a network of 15 Technology Innovation Hubs (TIHs), 6 Sectoral Application Hubs (SAHs) and 4 Technology Translation Research Parks (TTRPs). Each hubs and technology parks will follow a technology life cycle approach, addressing all stages viz. Knowledge-Development-Translation-Commercialization. Being part of CPS Mission continuum, the hubs and parks will not have sharp boundaries of function but will overlap to address the complete technology life cycle. The entities will function in a network mode and they will have multiple forward and backward linkages with each other. They will work in tandem to achieve their proposed objectives as well as undertake other external projects and need based requirements. The hubs will be equipped and funded to function independently as stand-alone entities, however they would leverage each other's strengths and power of collaboration to produce synergistic outcomes.
The first Phase of NM-ICPS will focus on establishing 18 Technology Innovation Hubs (TIHs) in the following domain areas:
The first phase of NM-ICPS will be implemented by Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB). Proposals are invited from reputed Academic and R&D institutions, with an impressive track record of scientific excellence, depth of experience in the proposed field and a strategic vision, to establish and sustain dynamic technology innovation hubs in Cyber Physical Systems.
Technology Innovation Hubs (TIHs) will be the nodal centres spearheading the activities in a specific domain. With leading-edge knowledge, competency and facilities, the hubs will attract potential and harness expertise available nationwide, thus fostering research innovation, world class technology and product development. It shall coordinate across the country and build linkages with research institutes and labs in India and abroad. TIHs will work in close collaboration with industry to deliver commercial technology and products and build a vibrant innovation ecosystem by providing a reliable platform for technology-based start-ups and entrepreneurs.
The Specific objectives mentioned above should effectively integrate to achieve the envisioned objectives of the TIH.
The mission aims to create robustly productive and sustainable hubs with associated ecosystem. The Hub development mechanism adopts a bottom-up revenue model in which the initiation of the Hub is by government support, through NM-ICPS, for developing capabilities and gradual build-up of resource generation in the later years of the project period.
The financial support for each TIH under NM-ICPS would be about Rs 115 crore in a project mode for a period of five years. Total budget for individual hubs may vary based on domain area of specialisation, proposed plans and their requirement based on the recommendations and decisions of the competent committee.
The budget provided is to attract the critical mass. The Hub has to develop the capability to mobilise resources. As such a symbiotic relationship between R&D and commercialization have to developed. From 4th year onwards, 20-30% capital must be from private pools and the hub has to be 100% self-sustainable within the five-year period. A well-planned roadmap with revenue channels have to be worked out which can include,
Industry partnership is not mandatory during proposal submission stage, but preference would be given who have tie-ups upfront with industry.
Financial support for each hub may wary depending on the domain area and planned activities.
Within the academic institution, the TIH would be a team mandated to focus on the domain area of research. Such an entity may bring together faculty members from different disciplines and provide shared facilities.
The Hubs will work in a distributed model in which all the stakeholders may not necessarily be physically located in the Hub, but may contribute and avail services from their own location in a Hub and Spoke model.
The Hubs will laterally coordinate with other hubs and TTRPs for delivering technology and products.
The Hubs will be managed by Hub Governing Body (HGB), with Head of the Institution as the Chairman. The Hub governing body will have full financial and administrative powers.
Host Institutes shall be reputed academic and R&D institutions.
Institutions within top 50 overall NIRF ranking are only eligible to apply.
R&D Institutions that are operating in R&D, technology development, commercialization, etc. in Engineering and Technology areas for at least 10 years and have expertise in CPS foundational technologies are eligible.
The following criteria will be taken into account while shortlisting the Host Institute:
Proposals in any one of the six domain areas can be submitted by a HI..
Proposal should be submitted online through www.serbonline.in by the Head of the Institution.
Head of the Institution should visit www.serbonline.in and click on the link for NM-ICPS. After being redirected to NM-ICPS web portal, Head of the Institution should register himself and fill the mandatory fields.On successful registration and verification , Head of the Institution can submit the proposal Online.
Some of the details of the proposal such as proposal summary (max 4000 characters), Keywords (max 6), Output and Outcome (max 2000 characters), Host Institute Details, Technical Summary, Host Institute Commitment and Profile, TIH Team, Collaborator Details, Industry Partner Details, Budget Details ((i) Project Staff, (ii) Domestic Travel, (iii) Technology Development, (iv) HRD and Skill Development, (v) Innovation and Entrepreneurship and Start-up Ecosystem, (vi) International Collaboration, (vii) Lab R&D Infrastructure and Equipment, (viii) Furnishing, Tables, Chairs, Cubicles, Electrical works and other Capex items) have to be entered in the submission form.
Other relevant information of the proposal has to be uploaded as a single PDF file, not more than 10 MB as Technical Document. Download Template
A Sub-committee will conduct initial scrutiny and shortlist proposals based on laid down criteria. The shortlisted proposals will be evaluated by a Scientific Advisory Committee and submit its recommendation to Mission Governing Board (MGB) for approval.
Q1: What is the quantum of funding support for each TIH?
A1: The estimated budget for each TIH would be about Rs. 115 crore for a period of five years. The budget support may vary for each TIH depending on the domain area, proposed mandate, targets/deliverables, etc.The total funding support would be finalised and approved by the Mission Governing Board (MGB).
Q2: Who is eligible to apply?
A2: Academic Institutions within NIRF overall rank 50(latest) are only eligible to apply. Research Institutions that are operating in R&D, technology development, commercialization, etc in engineering and technology areas for atleast 10 years and have expertise in CPS foundational technologiesare eligible.
Q3: Can a Host Institute (HI) apply for two TIH?
A3: No. HI can apply for only one TIH under the present call (2019 call, for six TIH).
Q4: Can an individual from one of the top 50 NIRF ranking institution apply for TIH?
A4: No. Individuals are not eligibile to apply for TIH under NM-ICPS. Only Institutions represented by the Head of the Institute can apply for TIH.
Q5: Are private academic institutions eligible to apply?
A5: All academic institutions, both public and private, within NIRF overall rank 50 are eligible to apply.
Q6: What is the eligbility criteria for a research institution to apply for TIH?
A6: Research Institutions (i) must be operating in R&D, technology development, Commercialization, etc. in Engineering and Technology areas for atleast 10 years and (ii) must have expertise in CPS foundational technologies.
Q7: What is the operational framework of the TIH?
A7: The Hubs will work in a distribution model. TIH will be the nodal centre for the proposed technology domain area. TIH would have defined mandates approved by the Mission Governing Board (MGB). The TIH/Host Institute would be the entity which would receive funding from SERB/DST as approved by MGB. The TIH would have financial and administrative powers and shall connect with all stakeholders, working in the same domain area of CPS, across the country as well as globally. The funding received from SERB/DST can be further disbursed downstream to other academic/research institutions/agencies for research/development related activities to achieve proposedgoals. These entities will act as spokes connecting to the hub. Other than academic/research institutions, the TIH should also connect to start-ups, industries and public sector undertakings. They can provide incubation centres for start-ups with necessary guidance, tech support, infrastructure, access to investors, networking and facilitating a host of other resources. The driving force of hub and spoke model and choice of collaborators shall be value addition and service provision.
Q8: In what way can TIH fund projects to other institutions?
A8: TIH can support projects based on requirement, open call and with due scientific diligence and approved processes.
Q9: Is it essential to have an industry partner during proposal stage?
A9: Involvement of an industrial partner at the outset may be desirable to confirm reach of proposed TIH in supplying foundational CPS technologies at large. While the initial phase would be driven by SERB/DST support, TIHs must attract private capital subsequently for growth and sustainability.