CSIR-NCL has identified following themes as its focus areas, and plans and executes projects under these themes—all these themes align with many of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) laid out by the UN:

1. Renewable energy and storage
2. Carbon capture, utilisation and sequestration
3. Energy efficient and zero discharge Flow synthesis platforms/process intensification for APIs, fine and specialty chemicals and materials.
4. Circular economy with focus on waste management of plastics, batteries and fuel cells/electrolysers
5. Biomass to value added chemicals/ fuels
6. Biosimilars
7. Healthcare (Disease biology, Drug discovery, Diagnostics, Devices for animal and human health)

Over the past few years CSIR-National Chemical Laboratory has explored the avenues to work closely with corporate partners under CSR activities and assist them achieve CSR goals. Please find below a list of prospective projects for further consideration and funding:

Sector under Schedule VII	Prospective Projects
✔ Promoting healthcare	• Rare Diseases: Supporting research projects related to rare diseases • Affordable healthcare: Cost-effective healthcare research project initiatives
✔ Promoting Education	• JIGYASA program: For school students to extend the classroom learning by focusing on well-planned research laboratory
✔ Promoting Gender equality ✔ Women empowerment ✔ Rural Development	• Skill development programs: For students and research scholars • Research Fellowships and training programs: For women and socio-economically backward groups
✔ Affordable Drinking Water ✔ Maintaining water quality ✔ Environmental sustainability	• SWACHH: Affordable microfiltration membrane based water purifiers • POP Ganesh idol immersion: Large scale Eco-Friendly Ganesh Visarjan
✔ Affordable energy source	• EV Charging Station: Solar powered EV charging station for parked 2 and 4 wheelers • Modern and Reliable Energy: Replacement of LED lamps on campus
✔ Full and productive employment ✔ Decent work	• Skill development programs: Vocational skill development programs for children, women, elderly, and socio-economically backward groups
✔ Infrastructure Building	• Capacity building: Increasing capacity of CSIR-NCL Phytorid Effluent Treatment Plant (ETP)
✔ Sustainable Communities	• Solar Panels: Roof-top solar on CSIR-NCL workshop shed
✔ Climate ACTION	• Carbon footprint reduction initiatives: Tree Census by students through summer internships and estimation of CO₂ sequestration potential • Bio-based polymers: Development of bio-based polymeric adhesives • Polymer sustainability: Depolymerization of polymeric waste to high value chemicals for circular economy
✔ Ecological balance ✔ Protection of flora and fauna	• Biodiversity Park: Creation and maintenance of flora and fauna
✔ Sustainable Development	• Electrolyzer for Green hydrogen: Development of cost-effective electrolyzer components for future application in green hydrogen production