TDB Clarifies Pause on RDI Scheme Proposals, Refutes Reports of Funding Shortage
The Technology Development Board (TDB) has clarified that the invitation for proposals under the RDI scheme was postponed due to administrative reasons rather than a lack of funds.
The Technology Development Board (TDB), operating under the Ministry of Science and Technology, has issued a clarification regarding the suspension of invitations for proposals under the Research Development and Innovation (RDI) scheme. This action comes in response to several media reports published on September 30, which claimed that the suspension of investment invitations was caused by a shortage of funds.
TDB has dismissed these claims as incorrect, clarifying that the invitation process was stopped solely for "administrative reasons." According to the Board, the decision to take a pause and postpone the invitations was made due to the overwhelming number of project proposals received.
The Board informed that the process will be reopened shortly after the evaluation of all projects received up to September 30, 2026, is completed. Currently, the Investment Committee (IC) and TDB are working continuously to finalize the evaluation process as quickly as possible.
The release explicitly stated that there is no shortage of funds for payments. Additionally, DST/ANRF is in the process of appointing several other SLFMs in the near future.
