Apply for the Awards
Industrial R&D Excellence

ABOUT THE AWARDS

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.

AWARD CATEGORIES

Top 25 Organizations for Excellence in R&D

Excellence in Industrial R&D – Large Enterprises – Manufacturing

Excellence in Industrial R&D – Large Enterprise – Service

Excellence in Industrial R&D – MSME – Manufacturing

Excellence in Industrial R&D – MSME – Service

Outstanding R&D Leadership Award

Excellence in Collaborative R&D (Industry–Academia / Industry–Startup)

Academic Institutions

ABOUT THE FRAMEWORK

A comprehensive multi-dimensional framework evaluating R&D excellence

R&D Strategy & Governance
Investment & Capital Efficiency
Technology Depth & IP Creation
Commercialization & Industrial Impact
Collaboration & Ecosystem Integration
Talent & Capability Development
Applications will be evaluated on:
  • R&D vision, strategy, and governance
  • Investment in R&D and infrastructure
  • Talent development and capability building
  • Innovation pipeline and execution
  • Intellectual property creation and management
  • Commercialization and business impact
  • Societal and sustainability impact
  • Future R&D roadmap

WHO CAN APPLY

Eligible Organizations
Indian companies with in-house R&D centres
Global Corporate Hubs having R&D centers in India
Public sector enterprises with established R&D units
MSMEs demonstrating strong R&D outcomes
Eligibility Criteria
01
Minimum 3 years of sustained R&D activity
02
Demonstrable outcomes such as products, processes, patents, or technologies
03
Compliance with applicable statutory and ethical standards

APPLICATION PROCESS

BENEFITS OF AWARDS

National Recognition for R&D Leadership

Earn prestigious CII recognition for building a strong, outcome-driven R&D ecosystem.

Structured R&D Maturity Benchmarking

Assess your R&D processes, governance, and outcomes against a structured excellence framework and leading peers.

Expert Evaluation & Strategic Insights

Receive actionable feedback from an eminent jury and domain experts.

High-Impact Visibility

Showcase your R&D capabilities to policymakers, industry leaders, academia, and innovation partners.

Actionable Improvement Insights

Gain expert feedback and best practices to strengthen strategy, accelerate commercialization, and improve innovation ROI.

Stronger Brand & Talent Appeal

Position your organization as an R&D-led innovator, enhancing credibility, investor confidence, and talent attraction.

IS YOUR ORGANIZATION
R&D-READY?

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

Apply for the Awards

TIMELINES

8 Feb 2026
Launch of Applications
31 June 2026
Last Date for Submission
July – August 2026
Evaluation & Jury Review
September 2026
Award Announcement & Ceremony

APPLICATION FEE

Large Enterprises

Manufacturing / Service

INR 70,000

+ applicable taxes

MSME

Manufacturing / Service

INR 40,000

+ applicable taxes

Academic Institutions

Research Laboratories

INR 40,000

+ applicable taxes