IIT Kanpur’s ‘Greater Than Us’ campaign targets Rs 9,000 crore by 2029

Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur has launched ‘Greater Than Us’, a fund-raising campaign which aims to raise US$1 billion, which is approximately Rs 9,000 crore by March 2029. Union Defense Minister Rajnath Singh launched the campaign in New Delhi's Bharat Mandapam.

According to the institute, corporate partners, alumni, and the government have already contributed Rs 4,155 crore. The institute said alumni, corporate partners, donors and the government have already committed Rs 4,155 crore. The campaign aims to rally support from academia, industry and strategic institutional partners to accelerate research, infrastructure and faculty recruitment in emerging technology fields.

 Academic institutions have a long-term vision, as Singh said at the launch event, "Great institutions take decades to build. The early generations who founded and strengthened the IITs worked with limited resources but extraordinary commitment. They built not just campuses and laboratories but a culture of excellence, service, and nation-building."

He added, "The IIT Kanpur campaign gives us a chance to prepare the institution for a future in which scientific discovery, technological innovation, and national development are closely linked. Its success will show in the talent it nurtures, the knowledge it advances, the technologies it helps develop, and the opportunities it creates for generations to come."

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Strategic research focus 

The funds will be used to improve the infrastructure, expand research facilities, and encourage talent acquisition. Director Manindra Agrawal claims that further resource mobilisation is required for new academic initiatives and campus growth, including facility upgrades and the addition of 3,000 new beds for the hostel. The institute's regular operational expenses are largely covered by government funds.

IIT Kanpur has also suggested establishing a School of Defence Technologies and a School of Advanced Materials and Manufacturing to support research in crucial areas. Additionally, preliminary talks on the approval of a proposed National Military Drone Hub at the institute are almost finished with the military ministry.

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Funds for frontiers, talent and foundations

This will utilise the institute’s Startup Incubation and Innovation Center (SIIC) in collaboration with the proposed Deep Tech Hub to upskill tech leaders in artificial intelligence, digital health, biotech and advanced manufacturing.

The campaign is built around three core pillars: Rs 5000 crore to Foundation for research infrastructure, Rs 3000 crore to Talent for scholars and faculty support, and Rs 1000 crore to Frontiers for emerging technology development.

As a part of this campaign, Rs. 189 crore has been contributed by Rahul Gautam, an alumni to set up the Gautam School of Innovation and Entrepreneurship (G-SINE) at the Noida campus. With a flagship MBA in Technology and Entrepreneurship, specialised degree programmes, and dedicated full-time professors, the school is expected to be operational by July 2027.

In order to upskill tech leaders in artificial intelligence, digital health, biotech, and advanced manufacturing, it will collaborate with the projected Deep Tech Hub and make use of the institute's Startup Incubation and Innovation Center (SIIC). The campaign's three main elements are Rs 5000 crore to the Foundation for research infrastructure, Rs 3000 crore for faculty and scholar assistance, and Rs 1000 crore to Frontiers for the development of innovative technologies.