BITS Pilani endowment fund crosses USD 54 million in 23 months

BITS Pilani's endowment fund has reached $54 million within 23 months of setting a $100 million target. Alumni contributions touched a record Rs 82 crore in FY26, supporting research centres, scholarships, laboratories and entrepreneurship initiatives across campuses

New Delhi: BITS Pilani’s endowment fund has crossed USD 54 million, just 23 months after the institute set a target of USD 100 million, according to Group Vice-Chancellor V Ramgopal Rao.

More than 24 individual alumni and alumni batches have each pledged USD 1 million or more, while annual alumni contributions reached a record Rs 82 crore in the financial year 2025-26, marking a 43 per cent increase over the previous year and nearly 90 times the amount recorded when the Alumni Relations Office was established in 2017-18.

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“Cumulative alumni contributions of Rs 256 crore have supported initiatives across BITS campuses. Founders, CEOs, scientists, reunion batches and companies led by alumni have contributed from India and around the world. When we set out to build a USD 100 million endowment, it was an ambitious goal. Our alumni have responded with extraordinary generosity,” Rao told PTI.

“Reaching USD 54 million in 23 months shows their faith in Birla Institute of Technology and Science (BITS) Pilani and its future. What is particularly heartening is the difference their contributions are already making through new research centres, better laboratories, scholarships and support for young entrepreneurs. We look forward to reaching our goal together and creating more opportunities for students and faculty to do work that matters to India and the world,” he added.

Using alumni contributions, six new research centres have been established across the Pilani, Goa and Hyderabad campuses in artificial intelligence (APPCAIR), semiconductors (CREST), clean energy (ARCSET), social and rural innovation (KRITI), smart electronics manufacturing (Dixon) and advanced materials (AMRIT). Two additional centres focusing on space technologies and AI diagnostics are being established.

More than 300 scholarships are supported by alumni and corporate contributions, including 188 awarded to female students over the past two years. Twenty-five PhD scholars receive financial support, including 11 through the PhD DRIVE fellowship, which provides a monthly stipend of Rs 60,000.

“Five endowed chair professorships have been established, along with awards recognising excellence in teaching and research, including awards for women faculty,” he added.