ITMU

Institute Technology Management Unit

The Institute Technology Management Unit (ITMU) was established in 2008 under the ICAR plan scheme titled "Intellectual Property Management and Transfer/Commercialization of Agricultural Technology Scheme." Initially conceived as the ITMU project, it later evolved into the "National Agricultural Innovation Fund (NAIF)" comprising three key components: Component-1 (Innovation Fund) focusing on ITMU activities, Component-2 (Incubation Fund) centered on ABI activities, and Component-3 dealing with ARYA activities. ITMU diligently handles all aspects related to intellectual property protection, maintenance, and transfer/commercialization of technologies at the institute level, adhering to ICAR guidelines and other administrative directives issued by ICAR from time to time. It seeks guidance from the Zonal Technology Management Unit (ZTMU) at the zonal level or the Intellectual Property and Technology Management (IP&TM) Unit at the ICAR Headquarters on a case-by-case basis.

At ICAR-CCRI, ITMU oversees various crucial activities:

Management of Intellectual Property: Management of Intellectual Property: ITMU serves as a vital support unit, identifying emerging technologies, facilitating the filing of IP (patents, copyrights, trademarks, design, PPV&FRA, etc.), and managing the institute's IP portfolios in accordance with ICAR guidelines. Moreover, ITMU conducts initiatives to raise awareness and enhance literacy regarding Intellectual Property Rights (IPR).

Technology Commercialization: Acting as the primary gateway, ITMU facilitates licensing of CCRI technologies to public institutions, private companies, citripreneurs, and individuals on a non-exclusive basis, ensuring effective technology transfer from the institute to industries. The licensing process involves a one-time payment of license fees plus 18% GST, followed by the signing of a license agreement based on mutually agreed terms and conditions. For foreign licensees, commercialization is facilitated through Agrinnovate India Ltd. (AgIn), the commercial arm of ICAR.

Contract Research: ITMU engages in contract research through specific agreements with external agencies within the institute's mandated areas. The contracting party should be government departments, public or private sector autonomous organization/ companies, international organizations/institutions, Indian/foreign universities etc. These contracts encompass a wide range of research activities aimed at development and/or evaluation of the technology/process/product including economic and techno-feasibility evaluation of new variety, product, farming practices and conservation, utilization and management of natural resources; refinement and up-gradation of new package of practices, pilot plant development, marketing/policy research etc.; social science research for report preparation, improvement in technology transfer or agriculture extension; preparatory research work with the objective of development and formulation of detailed project proposals wherein perceptible and significant use of Institute facilities in terms of computation and/or other infrastructure are required; futuristic basic, strategic and applied research; environmental impact of processes, products, technologies and their sustainability, etc. The contract research covers sponsored projects, collaborative projects and grant-in-aid projects.

Consultancy Services: ITMU offers professional consultancy services to external agencies, providing scientific, technical, or other expert advice based on the institute's knowledge and skill. These services include preparation of literature/survey/feasibility studies/state of art project/technology forecasting/evaluation reports; interpretation of test results and data, advising on risks and hazards or similar skilled advice; advisory tasks in preparation, evaluation and implementation of a project; assistance in management of biotic and abiotic stress issues and other problems; technical advice even in the form of one time assistance to help in trouble shooting or problem solving, mainly advisory in nature, including pilot plant/up-scaling trials for technology validation and commercialization. Consultancy fees are determined based on the quantum and quality of assignments.

In addition to these core functions, ITMU actively fosters Public-Private Partnerships, organizes CCRI-AiM (ICAR-CCRI Agro-Industry Meet), conducts trainings, seminars, workshops, capacity building programs, and webinars, etc. Furthermore, ITMU also looks after the Material Transfer Agreements (MTAs) for international bilateral exchange under collaborative research programmes/ projects and for research use within country with public and private entities.

Institute Technology Management Committee (ITMC) of ICAR-CCRI, Nagpur