For long, attaining the 2% GDP level had remained elusive for Indian science, but this is only a part of the story. Time and again, small science projects have demonstrated the potential to emerge as harbingers of technological changes. The U.K.’s Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council distributes nearly 10% of the research budget as grants. The mission-oriented work in these areas need not be diluted to favour small research grants. One route to help the cause of science is by provisioning more funds for small-scale research projects as well.

Source: The Hindu February 08, 2018 18:45 UTC