Article

The Department of Science and Technology (DST) will begin accepting applications for Second Level Fund Managers (SLFM) for the Union Government's R&D fund on January 12, 2026, with approvals expected by the end of the month. Applications from industries and startups will be processed starting February, as part of the Research, Development and Innovation Fund (RDIF) initiative, which aims to boost private-sector investment in R&D with a budget of ₹1 lakh crore over six years. Key focus areas include energy security, climate action, quantum computing, and artificial intelligence.