With the Indian Institute of Technology-Madras turning in to a research-oriented institute and developing solutions to solve societal challenges, it seeks more funds from companies’ Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) arms to support research activities.

The Centre has mandated companies to spend 2 per cent of their earnings on CSR. This has provided one more avenue for IIT-M to tap funds, said R Nagarajan, Dean, International & Alumni Relations, IIT Madras.

Last year, the institute got ₹10-12 crore from companies like Nokia, TNPL, Cholamandalam Finance, and Titan. The target is to double the amount next year. Companies can support faculty projects, or contribute to incubators, to be in turn given to start-ups, he said.

The institute is in touch with nearly 70 companies for funds. Of this, ten may fructify during the year, said Joseph Thomas, Vice-President, Development Office, IIT Madras Alumni Charitable Trust.

Tax benefit Research and studies are allowed under CSR, and donations to IIT Madras are eligible for tax exemptions of 100 per cent, 175 per cent and 200 per cent on a case-to-case basis. Nagarajan said research can be classified into three categories. For fundamental research, funds are available in the form of government grants; for translational research, there is industry support; and for transformational research, it is not confined to just one project, but involves many for the society at large. It is for transformational research that large funds are required, he said.

For instance, the institute developed Inverterless, solar-DC solution to light up homes. Here, the power line and appliances are based on DC (Direct Current), and the (Alternating Current) AC/DC conversions are non-existent, resulting in loss minimisation.

This solution reduces the size of solar pane and battery required, thus bringing down system costs considerably, he said.

IIT-M proposes to power nearly 1 lakh houses across India with this solution, through Central government subsidy and part payments from homeowners would account for around half the cost.

The balance ₹135 crore is proposed to be financed through funding from CSR activities, said Nagarajan.

Funds could be anywhere from ₹1 lakh to ₹10 crore. “We request the industry for at least 10 per cent of CSR fund allocation. We don’t want to redirect their funds that they would, otherwise, be giving for charitable purposes. We are only saying that if they give funds to technology institutions, the effect would be of a higher magnitude,” he said.

Research areas IIT-M has 16 departments active in research. Every IIT has its centres of competence, expertise and excellence. IIT-M has the National Centre for Combustion Research and development, funded jointly at IIT Madras and IISc.

Health and medical technology is another area of strength. Brain research and data science are areas of focus, he said.

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