FAQS

Technology readiness levels (TRLs) are a measure used to estimate the technological maturity of core technologies in a program during the selection process, and in subsequent monitoring and evaluation phases until these technologies or products utilizing them—attain market readiness. Originally introduced by NASA, the TRL scale is a metric with nine technology readiness levels, describing the maturity of a technology from the ideation stage (TRL‑1) to the highest degree of application/commercial readiness (TRL‑9).

• TRL 1: Basic research has been conducted
• TRL 2: Initial practical applications are identified
• TRL 3: Critical function or proof of concept established
• TRL 4: Lab testing/validation of alpha prototype
• TRL 5: Technology basic validation in a relevant environment
• TRL 6: Technology model or prototype demonstration in a relevant environment
• TRL 7: Technology prototype demonstration in an operational environment
• TRL 8: Actual technology completed and qualified through test and demonstration
• TRL 9: The most mature technology, the one most ready to go to market and be commercialised

They provide a common understanding of technology levels and risks involved.

Different TRL levels attract different types of funders. The early research is largely funded by academia and government; TRL 8–9 technologies are funded by the markets or industry. The gap between TRLs 4–7 is where technologies often struggle to transition from laboratory to operational use.

Translational research is the process of converting scientific research from the early stages into practical applications and commercial products.

In contrast to basic research, which represents fundamental scientific inquiry without considering economic impact, translational research refers to research undertaken with the specific aim of creating economic value and/or social impact. 

For instance, scientists working on solar cell technology want to discover and create cheaper and better materials and technologies to make the transition to green energy affordable and accessible. This is a typical example of translational research, which directly leads to economic value creation, social impact through job creation and health improvements, and environmental impact through green and efficient technologies.

Every technology originates as an idea and progressively develops into a saleable product or service. TRL levels indicate the progression of technology from an idea to a product. TRL 0 is the idea stage, and TRL 9 is a market-ready product/service.

Translational research is typically considered to fall between TRLs 4 and 7.

There are several direct and indirect success metrics of translational research.

Direct:

• Startup creation and revenue generation
• IP creation and licensing revenue generation

Indirect:

• Knowledge, capability, and know-how creation: TRL advancements, scientific publications, and awards.
• Infrastructure and research capacity creation
• Ecosystem creation: Skill development, entrepreneurship, knowledge-sharing, industry-academia collaborations
• Employment generation

Some examples:

• C-CAMP, Bangalore: The ATRACT-Life program is an integrated Research Translation & Commercialization program, created with the primary goal of fostering innovations for society by leveraging the strength of Indian academic research and C-CAMP’s translational resources.
• Wadhwani Research Centre for Bioengineering (WRCB): Has been set up to be a world-class translational research centre in bioengineering at the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IIT Bombay).
• National Centre for Combustion Research and Development (NCCRD) at IIT Madras: Develops state-of-the-art capabilities in combustion research. It is the world’s largest combustion research centre. NCCRD’s research interests include automotive, thermal power and aerospace propulsion, fire research, and microgravity combustion.

Bridging the funding and resources gap in translational research in India, fast tracking the research to market cycle.

ITRI stands for India’s Translational Research Initiative (ITRI). It is a collaborative philanthropy initiative to strengthen India’s translational research ecosystem, working in close collaboration with academic entrepreneurs, research institutions, corporations, government, and incubators/accelerators.

These are academics who show an entrepreneurial bent of mind and are willing to undertake new initiatives and sustain effort.

Those who have a track record of undertaking research that leads to commercialisation, as well as through introductions and referrals from identified researchers.

India spends only 0.6% of its GDP on research and development, far lower than the United States (3.5%), China (2.4%), and Brazil (1.1%), among many others. India is at risk of being stuck in the middle-income gap unless it can grow at a sustained pace over the next two decades.

R&D investments often have a long gestation period before delivering tangible results. As a result, India must make the best use of evolving opportunities in the green economy, value-added manufacturing, the bioeconomy, among others. Investment in R&D today will help India strengthen its capabilities now, as well as prepare for the opportunities of tomorrow.

ITRI aims to catalyse translational research in India through a collaborative philanthropy model. This would entail the following:

• Engaging with the top 20 research institutes (such as the IITs, IISc, C-CAMP, ICT, CEPT Ahmedabad, among others) to seek out proposals for setting up or augmenting TRCs in priority technology areas identified by ITRI

• Engaging with the donor ecosystem to raise resources for funding TRCs

• Setting up common backbone infrastructure and services that would be available to all TRCs in the ITRI network

• Monitoring the progress of TRCs based on aligned objectives and indicators

• Engaging with the government, corporates, incubators, and mentorship networks to strengthen the ecosystem for translation and commercialisation

ITRI is likely to be set up as a Section 8 company. It is being advised by the legal firm Trilegal for this purpose.

ITRI is anchored by Spectrum Impact, led by Mirik Gogri. Spectrum Impact is the family office of the Gogri family, promoters of Aarti Industries. It undertakes investment and philanthropic initiatives, committed to solving large-scale societal problems with innovative solutions.

Dr. Abdur Rub has been appointed as the CEO and the first employee of ITRI.

Sattva Consulting, an impact advisory company, is the knowledge partner, supporting with structuring, donor engagement, and programme management for the initiative.

ITRI will set up a tiered governance structure, such as the following:
– Governance Board, for providing strategic direction and oversight. ITRI is engaging with individuals such as Mr Nandan Nilekani, Mr Kris Gopalakrishnan, and Mr Ashish Dhawan to be part of the board.
– Management Group, comprising representatives from academia, industry, and philanthropy, to provide oversight and management of ITRI’s operations.
– Global Scientific Advisory Group, comprising globally renowned scientists, to provide guidance on best practices and technology advisory for the initiative.
This structure would be managed by the CEO of ITRI, who will act as Secretary to the Board.

ITRI envisions raising USD 1 billion over the next 5 years for the mission.

The rules relating to intellectual property will be as per the policies of the respective institutions that host the TRCs, in compliance with India’s IP laws. ITRI will not own any of the IP.

• Globally benchmarked, state-of-the-art infrastructure
• Focus on talent development
• Equitable access to technology
• Solving for India and for the Global South
• Operational excellence