BITS Pilani receives Rs 60 cr from Centre for advanced research facilities

Birla Institute of Technology and Science, Pilani (BITS Pilani) has won the Sophisticated Analytical and Technical Help Institute (Sathi) project from the Department of Science and Technology (DST).

This comes with a grant of Rs 60 crore over the next four years for setting up advanced research facilities at the institute along with its cluster partners, the institute said in a statement on Thursday.

As part of the project, it will create a sophisticated instrument facility in Pilani spanning various fields of engineering and sciences, including material sciences, device manufacturing and development, and biopharmaceuticals.


This facility will provide researchers and students in the Rajasthan region and institutions in the country with access to state-of-the-art equipment and resources and will promote innovation and excellence in scientific research, BITS Pilani said.

Its cluster partners include Council of Scientific And Industrial Research–Central Electronics Engineering Research Institute Pilani, Malaviya National Institute of Technology Jaipur, JK Lakshmipat University Jaipur, Vivekananda Global University Jaipur, and LNM Institute of Information Technology Jaipur.

Praising the team for a proposal that stood out among 35 competing institutions, BITS Pilani vice-chancellor Ramgopal Rao said: “BITS Pilani will strive to participate and lead such national initiatives and help the nation in achieving the dream of Viksit Bharat. We are committed to providing faculty and students in BITS Pilani and institutions in Rajasthan with cutting-edge resources, fostering a culture of scientific excellence and technological advancement.”

Sudhir Kumar Barai, director of the Pilani campus, said, “The selection of BITS Pilani for the Sathi project reflects our institution’s prowess in research and development. This grant will enable us to establish world-class research facilities, furthering our mission to drive innovation and academic excellence.”

The Sathi project grant is in line with BITS Pilani’s broader vision of strengthening research infrastructure and fostering industry partnerships. The institute aims to achieve Rs 200 crore per year in sponsored research funding by 2026.

In line with this objective, the institute will soon establish a dedicated team to facilitate industry engagement and promote mutually beneficial collaboration between academia and industry. This initiative aims to bridge the gap between theoretical research and practical applications, promoting innovation and economic growth, it said in the statement.