The sponsored research and consultancy unit at BITS Pilani, Pilani campus, coordinates all externally funded research projects. It is the focal point for coordinating and supporting research endeavors conducted by faculty from different departments. It ensures that each sponsored project is managed effectively from the proposal stage to completion, so that faculty may concentrate on the academic and technical sides of their research.
One of the most important roles that it has is to aid faculty members in developing and submitting research proposals to numerous government agencies and industry sponsors. The group provides proposal organization, budget development, and sponsor compliance assistance. Through this service, the division assists faculty in increasing their success rate in obtaining funds and invites them to seek high-impact research.
After a project has been sanctioned and funded, the division is responsible for managing it. This encompasses having appropriate records, fund accounting, budgeting, and all bookkeeping functions associated with it. The division ensures that financial functions are under the regulations of the sponsors and institutional policies. It also supports the recruitment of research personnel like Junior Research Fellows (JRF) and Senior Research Fellows (SRF), so that research teams are well-staffed to perform their work.
The division also facilitates travel support for research scholars, allowing them to participate in conferences, workshops, and fieldwork integral to their research. It proactively keeps faculty members informed of new funding schemes, calls for proposals, and sponsor guideline modifications. Through this effort, the sponsored research and consultancy division creates an atmosphere conducive to research, promoting innovation and academic excellence at BITS Pilani.
