The CII Awards for Excellence in Industrial R&D recognize organizations that have demonstrated outstanding commitment to research and development as a strategic driver of growth, innovation, and global competitiveness.
As India progresses through Amritkaal, industrial R&D plays a pivotal role in strengthening technological self-reliance and translating research into impactful products, processes, and technologies. Instituted by CII as part of its National Mission on Technology, Innovation, and Research, the awards highlight best-in-class R&D practices that deliver measurable business and societal impact.
The Awards seek to:
Applicants create a login ID and receive
credentials via email.
Applicants complete and submit the online application form.
Applications are screened by assessors, and shortlisted entries are taken forward for next stage.
Shortlisted organizations and institutions are evaluated by the jury.
Winners are felicitated with a trophy and
certificate.
A comprehensive multi-dimensional framework evaluating R&D excellence
Vice Chancellor
BITS Pilani
KN Bajaj Chair Professor
IIT Bombay
Former Director
IISc Bangalore
Former Secretary
DBT India
Former Director
IISc
Former DG - CSIR
CSIR
Chief Director General
JETRO
Director
Fraunhoffer Office
Former Director
IIIT Delhi
Director
Switzerland Innovation Park
Executive Director
INSA
CEO
CCAMP
Head, Section, Dpt for Economics and Data Analytics UN WIPO, and Co-Editor of the Global Innovation Index (GII)
Director of Strategy, CORNERSTONE, University of Southampton, UK
Earn prestigious CII recognition for building a strong, outcome-driven R&D ecosystem.
Assess your R&D processes, governance, and outcomes against a structured excellence framework and leading peers.
Receive actionable feedback from an eminent jury and domain experts
Showcase your R&D capabilities to policymakers, industry leaders, academia, and innovation partners.
Gain expert feedback and best practices to strengthen strategy, accelerate commercialization, and improve innovation ROI.
Position your organization as an R&Dled innovator, enhancing credibility, investor confidence, and talent attraction.
Your organisation is well aligned with the CII Awards for Excellence in Industrial R&D if you:
Invest strategically and consistently in industrial R&D across manufacturing or services
Have an institutionalized R&D function with defined leadership, governance structures, and performance metrics
Systematically develop new or significantly improved products, processes, or technologies through structured research programs
Translate research outcomes into measurable business performance, IP creation, or societal impact
Foster industry–academia or technology partnerships that strengthen innovation pipelines
Build and sustain world-class scientific and engineering talent, supported by long-term capability development
Manufacturing / Service
+ applicable taxes
Manufacturing / Service
+ applicable taxes
Chief Director General, JETRO
❝These awards highlight the importance of continuous innovation and technological excellence in a globally competitive industrial landscape. They recognise organizations that are advancing capabilities through sustained R&D and a strong commitment to quality and efficiency. In today's interconnected world, such efforts are essential for meeting global standards and driving cross-border competitiveness.
Director, Fraunhofer Office India | Member, India & Germany CEO Forum | Vision Group, Govt. of Karnataka
❝These awards exemplify the power of applied research in accelerating India's transition into a knowledge-driven and innovation-led economy. They celebrate organizations that have successfully translated research into commercially viable technologies. Such efforts are central to strengthening deep-tech ecosystems and building industrial competitiveness.
Former Director, IISc | Chancellor, Central University of Tamil Nadu | Senior Adviser, BIRAC, Govt. of India
❝The CII Awards for Excellence in Industrial R&D highlight the transformative power of science-led innovation and its application in India's development trajectory. They acknowledge organizations that have embedded research as a strategic driver of industrial progress. Such recognition is essential to nurturing a culture where scientific inquiry fuels technological advancement.
Former Secretary, Dept. of Biotechnology, Ministry of Science & Technology, Govt. of India
❝The CII Awards for Excellence in Industrial R&D highlight the critical role of research and innovation in strengthening India's industrial and technological capabilities. By recognizing organizations that translate scientific knowledge into scalable solutions, CII encourages industries to place R&D at the core of their growth and global competitiveness.
Professor, IIT Delhi | Former Director, IIIT-Delhi | Former Microsoft Chair Professor, IIT Delhi
❝The CII Awards for Excellence in Industrial R&D recognise the transformative potential of digital and emerging technologies in redefining India's industrial landscape. They highlight organizations that are leveraging AI, data, and advanced computing to drive next-generation innovation. These awards encourage industries to embrace deep-tech innovation at scale.
CEO, Switzerland Innovation Foundation
❝The CII Awards for Excellence in Industrial R&D underscore the importance of innovation in building globally competitive and sustainable industries. They recognise organizations that are leveraging advanced technologies to address complex challenges across markets. These awards highlight the value of combining scientific excellence with a forward-looking global outlook.
Executive Director, Indian National Science Academy
❝These awards celebrate organizations that are strengthening the scientific and technological foundations of India's industrial ecosystem. They recognise efforts that combine rigorous research with real-world application to create meaningful impact. Such recognition is vital for fostering a robust, self-reliant, and future-ready R&D landscape.
Group Vice-Chancellor, BITS Pilani
❝The CII Awards for Excellence in Industrial R&D reflect the growing convergence of academia and industry in shaping innovation ecosystems. They recognize organizations that are not only advancing technology but also building knowledge capital for the future. The awards shall inspire organizations to co-create solutions of global relevance.
KN Bajaj Chair Professor, IIT Bombay
❝The CII Awards for Excellence in Industrial R&D reflect the growing importance of research as a cornerstone of India's journey towards technological self-reliance. They recognise organizations that are forging strong academia-industry partnerships to translate knowledge into impactful solutions. These awards reinforce the role of collaborative R&D in shaping a resilient and innovation-driven India.
INSA Distinguished Professor, IISc Bengaluru | Former Director (2014–2020) | Fellow of IEEE, INAE, INSA
❝These awards underscore the central role of scientific rigor and sustained research in advancing India's industrial and technological leadership. By recognising organizations that invest in both foundational and applied research, CII highlights the importance of a strong R&D ecosystem in nation-building. This recognition will inspire industries to place research at the heart of their growth strategies.
Director and CEO, Centre for Cellular and Molecular Platforms (C-CAMP)
❝The CII Awards for Excellence in Industrial R&D highlight the growing importance of translational research and innovation-driven entrepreneurship. They recognise organizations that are building pathways from lab to market. Such initiatives are critical for nurturing startups and fostering a vibrant innovation ecosystem.
Former Director General, CSIR | Former Secretary, Dept. of Scientific and Industrial Research, Govt. of India
❝The CII Awards for Excellence in Industrial R&D are a testament to the strength of India's research and innovation ecosystem. They recognise organizations that are leveraging R&D to address complex industrial and societal challenges. CII's initiative will further catalyse collaborations that accelerate innovation at scale.
Head, Dpt. for Economics & Data Analytics, UN WIPO | Co-Editor, Global Innovation Index (GII)
❝The CII Awards for Excellence in Industrial R&D highlight the critical role of innovation and intellectual property in driving economic growth. They recognise organizations that are transforming ideas into valuable assets within the global innovation ecosystem. These awards reinforce the importance of innovation as a cornerstone of global progress.
Director of Strategy, CORNERSTONE, University of Southampton, UK
❝The CII Awards for Excellence in Industrial R&D highlight the critical role of translational research in driving industrial competitiveness. Platforms like these bridge the gap between fundamental science and scalable industrial application, particularly in deep-tech domains such as semiconductors and advanced materials. Recognising such capabilities accelerates innovation and strengthens global R&D collaboration.