Northern Region Science & Technology Cluster Launches SPARKS & IGNITE to Accelerate Research and Innovation

Chandigarh, March 28, 2024: PU-IIT Ropar-Regional Accelerator for Holistic Innovations (PI-RAHI) Foundation convened a meeting at IIT Ropar, with representatives from the O/o the Principal Scientific Adviser (PSA) of the Government of India, including Dr. Parvinder Maini, Scientific Secretary, along with Dr. Vishal Choudhary and Vivek Kumar, Scientists from PSA to review progress and discuss the future course for the cluster.

During the review, Dr. Maini, alongside Prof. RenuVig, Vice Chancellor, Panjab University and Prof. Rajeev Ahuja, Director, Indian Institute of Technology, Ropar unveiled two significant initiatives under PI-RAHI:SPARKS (Strategic Program for Accelerating Research & Knowledge Startups) and IGNITE (Initiation Grant for Novel Ideas for Transformation & Empowerment). SPARKS will provide seed support of uptoRs10Lakhs, access to external funds, live lab facilities, incubation, acceleration, IP support, and mentorship, while IGNITE will offer grant of Rs3Lakhsfor R&D work, nurturing innovative concepts poised to instigate significant societal transformation. These initiatives mark significant strides towards fostering innovation and addressing regional challenges in the Northern Region.

Dr. Maini commended the combined efforts of both Panjab University & IIT Ropar to drive research, innovation, and entrepreneurship across diverse thematic areas such as Agriculture & Food Processing, Pharma/Healthcare & Medical Devices, Waste Management & Wealth from Waste, Indigenous Technology Development & Optimization, and Sustainable Mobility & Green Energy.She advised the cluster to also focus waste management in Baddi Pharma Zone (Himachal Pradesh) under the Waste to Wealth vertical and focus on building capability in the area of semiconductors for students in Industrial Training Institutes (ITI).

Dr. Maini visited the space where the Cluster is being set up and appreciated the plans to foreseethe  potential as a breeding ground for groundbreaking startups. The meeting was also attended by Prof. Harsh Nayyar, Director, Research and Development Cell (PU), Prof. RajatSandhir, and Dr. Pushpendra Singh, Principal Investigators of PI-RAHI, NehaArora, COO of PI-RAHI, and members of the IIT Ropar Technology & Innovation Foundation (iHub – AWaDH)