Directorate of Futuristic Technology Management (DFTM) identifies the emerging and futuristic technologies required for defence and lays down the Long Term Research roadmap for these technologies. To enable the directed research, eco-system a Long Term Directed Research Policy (LTDRP) has been formulated for long term engagement of academia, research institutes and startups/industries. The policy has a collaborative framework for planning and implementing directed research for developing futuristic defence technologies by bringing
together all stake-holders.
DFTM undertakes the following major activities to plan, implement and manage the directed research collaboratively:
- Identify crucial & futuristic technologies and associated technology gaps.
- Work out research problems and definitions with broad technical specifications related to identified technologies/technology gaps for collaborative directed R&D
- Establish DRDO Industry Academia Centres of Excellence (DIA-CoE)
- Identify and establish the state-of-the-art research facilities at DIA-CoEs
- Engage startups / industries for innovative technology development at DIA-CoEs
- Facilitate international research collaboration through DIA-CoEs
- Coordinate with Scientific & Research organisations for resources at national level
- Enter into contract with identified agencies/consortiums and coordinate for achieving the desired objectives
DRDO has established 15 DIA-CoEs under the LTDRP. The DFTM directorate at DRDO HQ sets the policies, standard operating procedures and guidelines for the centre operations. The directorate oversees the project review and sanction process, in addition to the long term roadmap for the futuristic technologies.
Fifteen DIA-CoEs have been established at identified academic Institutes and Universities in the country to build a directed research eco-system. These centres enable the collaboration
among DRDO labs, academia and startups/industries. Under the projects through DIA-CoEs research is being pursued in emerging as well as advanced technologies.
Key features of DIA -CoE projects
- These centres enable the hub and spoke model of research. The projects from any academic institute under the verticals of the centre can be considered and will be governed by the respective centre.
- The scheme enables Co-PIs from multiple institutes to enable true collaboration in the country.
- Through internship and hackathons, centres aim to actively involve students to solve specific problems of challenging nature