Foundation FAQ
What is Ignite?
Ignite is a Science Philanthropy
We are supported by leading citizens and eminent philanthropists who wish to make a difference to society through science. We use the money raised from donors to fund life science research and to strengthen the ecosystem that supports excellence in science.
What is Ignite’s Mission
What does Ignite do?
Curating Science > Creating Impact
By curating science: what do we mean by “curating” science? We refer to the extreme diligence we apply to all stages of our work, wherein we not only front-load effort to find the best scientists and best research ideas, but we continue a high level of engagement through the project lifecycle to ensure that the project objectives are met. For us, “curation” is not passive; it does not stop with selecting great projects, but it is a continuous process of engagement and partnership with investigators. Having found and selected great project ideas, we are vested in ensuring that the projects are taken to their logical ends in the fastest and most efficient way possible. Gating mechanisms that operate during our quarterly reviews ensure that projects with promise are funded, while projects that do not hold up the initial promise either undergo a change in direction or are discontinued. We also work hard in translating science that works towards creating an impact that is meaningful and measurable.
The Two Pillars of Our Work Are:
Transformation: We bring about change in the way science is done through our approach to funding, project execution, and the translation of research findings.
Sustainability: We strengthen and propagate change by building communities of scientists, engaging with young scientists, and fostering centers of research excellence outside the mainstream.
Why does Ignite do this?
Because Science Matters!
Science is the backbone of innovation, and without innovation, no nation can progress. India needs innovation to grow its economy and meet the aspirations of its citizens. This is why we must put our best efforts into science.
What does Ignite hope to achieve?
Making Science Work for India
Scientific output should be harnessed to work for India’s economic growth. India is poised to achieve excellence in science-led innovation on the back of a large base of scientific institutions and scientists, supported by a youthful and energetic scientific community with the entrepreneurial drive to make an impact. Excellence in science can help us solve many problems we face in health, nutrition, climate change, and agriculture. This is how we will make science work for India.
How is Ignite different?
As a private science philanthropy in India focused on life sciences, we not only add to the funding pool but also amplify the impact of our work by focusing on execution excellence in the projects we fund. Additionally, we seed the ecosystem to ensure that the changes we wish to bring about are perpetuated and propagated across a wider canvas of Indian science.
Why is Ignite needed?
Many enlightened philanthropists wish to make a strategic and long-lasting difference to India’s success as a nation. However, they may not have the dedicated expertise to assess and fund the right projects. Ignite plays a crucial role in ensuring that philanthropic capital is utilised optimally—not only by choosing the right projects, investigators, and institutions to fund, but also by ensuring optimality in the execution of the projects so that the desired outcomes are achieved. We act as experts who mediate between philanthropists and scientific causes that deserve their support.
How can I donate to Ignite?
Ignite is recognized by Indian tax authorities as a recipient of donor funds under the tax-deductible 80G mechanism. We are also eligible to receive CSR funding from corporates. You can use the ‘Donate’ button on our website to make a tax-deductible donation. US taxpayers can make donations to our US affiliate, Ignite USA, a registered not-for-profit 501(c)(3) entity, and get tax benefits. To know more, please visit our website or write to: ramona@ignitelsf.in.
What evidence is there that Ignite is succeeding?
Of the 17 projects we have funded so far, 5 have closed with the project outcomes achieved. Two projects have resulted in inventions that have therapeutic potential and are being developed further. One project has built, from scratch, the ability to make mRNA vaccines, including the system used to deliver the vaccine into tissues. A vaccine candidate from this project is in development.
That the community of researchers in India is attuned to our cause is testified to by the fact that two scientists working in academic institutions have come forward to make donations to Ignite.
Furthermore, we are gathering a very eminent and distinguished group of individuals who have committed to Ignite’s cause by making substantial donations, some of a repeat nature.
Can I donate to a specific scientific cause that is close to my heart?
Yes, you can. We call this tagged donation. Some of our donors prefer to specify the area in which they would like the funds to be used. We then identify worthwhile projects in the area of their choice and institute the funding on their behalf.
Who are the founders of Ignite?
Rams Subramanian (currently a faculty member at Purdue University), while heading the Center for Advanced Molecular Platforms at NCBS in Bengaluru, was sensitised to the need for alternative mechanisms for funding Indian science instead of solely depending on Government support. He, along with Jogin Desai (CEO, Eyestem) and K Jayshankar (MD, Empowered Learning), put together the plan that led to the founding of Ignite. All three of them continue to work actively for the cause of Ignite.
Who are the members of the Governing Board at Ignite?
Pankaj Chandra (Chairperson – Ignite and Vice Chancellor, Ahmedabad University), Anand Anandkumar (CEO – Bugworks), Jogin Desai (CEO – Eyestem Research), Jyotsna Dhawan (Emeritus Scientist – CCMB, Hyderabad), Shahid Jameel (Fellow – Green Templeton College, University of Oxford), K Jayshankar (MD – Empowered Learning), Ramaswamy Subramanian (Director – Bindley Bioscience Center, Purdue University), Bhairavi M Shibulal (Founder – Solis Health), and Swami Subramaniam (ex-CEO, Ignite Life Science).
Who are the members of the Scientific Advisory Board at Ignite?
T S Balganesh (President – Gangagen Biotechnologies), Richard Henderson (MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Cambridge), Ajay Kohli (Director – International Rice Research Institute, Manila), Satyajit Mayor (Distinguished Professor – NCBS-TIFR, Bengaluru), K K Narayanan (Director – Sthayika Seeds), Swami Subramaniam (ex-CEO, Ignite Life Science), Soumya Swaminathan (Chairperson – MS Swaminathan Research Foundation), and Venkatesan Thirumalai (Director – Center for Quantum Research and Technology, University of Oklahoma).
Who is the CEO of Ignite?
Shravanti Rampalli is the CEO of Ignite Life Science Foundation. She is a scientist with several decades of experience in academic science, along with more recent experience in developing the business aspects of science.
I am interested in funding research on disease X (e.g., Parkinson's disease). Will Ignite enable this?
Yes. Ignite undertakes, on behalf of donors, funding for specific areas of science.
What is the minimum amount of funding I can give to Ignite?
There is no specified minimum, although the website donation link will not accept amounts smaller than Rs 500.
Is there a recurring donation I can schedule?
Yes, you can. Please contact Ramona Parsani (VP, Alliances) at ramona@ignitelsf.in.
What is the Ekalavya-Ignite Travel Grant?
This is a grant instituted by the Ekalavya Foundation to fund travel for early-career scientists (doctoral or postdoctoral) to international research meetings to present their work. Please see here.
What are the projects Ignite is undertaking?
Please see here for an updated and current list of projects that Ignite is funding.
What is a SpARC (Special Research Cooperative) Research Cooperative?
To promote deep conversations between different disciplines within a given area or topic, Ignite has promoted the formation of Research Cooperatives—loose (online and offline) assemblies of scientists with no formal structure. These cooperatives aim to exchange knowledge and engage in problem-solving conversations that may result in joint scientific projects.
Does Ignite have specific areas of interest that they prefer to fund?
Within the broad area of life sciences, we fund projects in any area, with a preference for those that are particularly relevant to the problems we face in India.
Which institutions have received funding from Ignite?
Indian Institute of Science, IISER – Pune, IIT – Bombay, IIT – Delhi, IIT – Guwahati, ICAR, TERI, and Calcutta University are some of the institutions that host investigators we have funded.
What is the size of project grants?
Our median grant size is in the range of Rs 25 to 50 Lakh, although there are outliers on both sides.
Why should I apply to Ignite for funding when I have other options?
Ignite is not only a funding organisation; our interventions address the whole ecosystem in which science is conducted. We deeply engage with our grantees and provide ongoing support and mentoring for our investigators, as needed. Our funding is flexible, timelines are faster, and we are always on time or ahead of time with disbursals.
Can I apply for funding from Ignite even if it is not for a project?
Our funding opportunities usually arise as a result of an Open Call. Please follow the announcements on our website: ignitelsf.in and our Twitter handle: @ignitelsf. We do not fund meetings or conferences unless they are organised by us. Please feel free to contact swamis@ignitelsf.in if you have any questions.