1. Can a participating lead institution submit more than one application?
    No. A Higher Educational Institution (HEI) as lead in the consortium, can submit only one proposal. However, institutions could be collaborative partners in multiple bids.
  2. Can applications be made by Higher Educational Institutions without forming a consortium?
    No. Since these Centres are expected to have a multi-disciplinary and multi-stakeholder approach, it is expected that all applications should be in a consortium of industry partners along with a state government, NGO, or ULB partner.
  3. What is the expected industry contribution?
    The industry partner is expected to bring at least INR 30 crores in financial contribution pool (either in cash or in-kind) along with providing assistance related to research (like restricted technologies) and data feeding
  4. Our institution doesn’t have any sector-specific expertise in the areas mentioned for making proposals. Should we go ahead with the application?
    The institute can still apply. It is expected that the team members of the consortium are picked to reflect some prior experience in AI as well as the chosen sector. Also, other stakeholders from the industry or government may be involved to boost the credentials.
  5. Our institution already has a supercomputing facility. Do we need to create additional computing infrastructure?
    It is desirable to have an existing computing facility at the institution. However, the nature and demand of technical facilities will be based on the project's requirements. Hence, the participating institution can clearly specify the projected requirements along with the ways and means to attain them (like using a centralized computing facility, using a third-party computing facility, or availing the already existing infrastructure).
  6. What are the main criteria for evaluating the proposals? How will the proposals be shortlisted and evaluated?
    The applications will be quantitatively and qualitatively assessed based on the expression of interest, proof of concept, and evaluation matrix submitted by the consortium. The decision of the Apex committee shall be final
  7. Could we utilize the funds in constructing a new premise for housing the Centre for Excellence?
    It is expected of the institutions to utilize the funds in creating computing and data-sourcing facilities. Funds should not be utilized for construction of buildings or repair/maintenance.
  8. Can private institutions apply under this Call for Proposals?
    Private Institutes (with an NIRF ranking within the top 100 in the Overall category for the eyar 2023) are eligible to apply under this Call of Proposals as the Lead Institute. Other Institutes can, however, be a part of the consortium
  9. Can foreign educational institutes be a part of the consortium?
    Yes, foreign educational institutes can be a part of the consortium
  10. What will be the Intellectual Property (IP) sharing mechanism?
    The IP sharing mechanism may be proposed by the consortium in their proposal, and the Apex Committee shall take the final decision on the same.
  11. Can one institute be a lead institute in more than one sector? How many consortium partners, the lead institute can have?
    One institute can be a lead institute in only one sector. However, that institute can be a part of consortium in other proposal (as consortium partner, not as a lead). Further, there is no limit on number of partners for making a consortium. Also there can be a multidisciplinary team, which may range from people in AI to agriculture to hardware or even humanities, however the problem statement and solution proposed should be a clear one.
  12. Whether an institute can tackle multiple problem statements or multiple issues in, say the health sector, or in Agriculture or in urban issues?
    Problem Statement is a Gateway to participate in the competitive process for shortlisting. If the problem statement in itself is confused, then it will not be viewed as favorable for the proposal. If the problem statement speaks about the multiple issues, which are inter-related to each other, either as a problem or in terms of the solution, that is obviously welcomed. However, there should be clarity that how that problem is going to be tackled. Project proposals must showcase scalability, readiness for deployment, and efficient resource utilization to ensure their viability and success.

    However, if the multiple issues, which are being aimed to be resolved are entirely different and not related to each other (neither the problem nor the solution in that sector), then it may shows that the proposal doesn’t have clarity and is just taking on too many issues.
  13. What is the criteria for distribution of COE? Will all the three categories get 5 COE in each category or will it be based on the proportionate number of applications received in a particular category?
    This is flexible and depends upon the number of quality proposals in that sector and decision of Apex Committee.
  14. Shall geographic location and distance be a factor in sanctioning COE in the phase 1?
    No. As the CoE are expected to play an All India role.
  15. What are the conditions governing the number of consortium partners a lead organization can have at the national and international level?
    There is no limit on number of consortium partners as every problem statement and corresponding solution pathways require a unique team composition. Thus the same has been kept flexible. It is expected, there will be industry partner/s, start-ups, other educational institutions, user groups like a municipal corporation or a State govt or a PSU or NGO etc. as the evaluation criteria also mentions about a comprehensive consortium.
  16. What will be the mechanism of IP sharing and public disclosure?
    The bidding consortium is expected to present the IP sharing and public disclosure/mechanism before the Apex Committee at the time of final selection of 3 proposals for 3 CoE which will be part of their Proof of Concept (PoC) & DPR. The mechanism of sharing of IPs and public disclosure, will be as per commitment and discussion of the consortium, with the Apex Committee and as stated in their bid documents, at various stages of selection, allocation and implementation of the project.