Auroville Centre for Scientific Research (CSR) is an international voluntary organisation working towards a sustainable future in the field of renewable energy systems (wind, solar, biomass), appropriate architecture & building technologies, waste water recycling and sanitation, and the transfer of these technologies through training programmes.

CSR was founded on January 6th, 1984. After the Indian Parliament passed the 'Auroville Foundation Act' in 1988, the assets of CSR were transferred to an autonomous institution, the Auroville Foundation. From April 1998 CSR was registered under two trusts, one for its research activities, Auroville Centre for Scientific Research, the other for its commercial activities, Aurore Trust.

CSR has an international staff of 9 full-time and 5 part-time qualified persons, supported by a permanent work force of 20 people.

Funding

CSR receives grants and donations for its programmes and research projects from Indian and foreign governmental and non-governmental agencies, and from well-wishers worldwide. All donations from Indian citizens to CSR are 100% tax-exempted under section 35(1)(ii) of the Income Tax Act.

Infrastructure and facilities

• Total compound area 2.5 acres

• Total built up space 1730 m²

• Office space 490 m²

• Conference room 40 m²

• Workshop space 1200 m²

• Vehicles Transport vehicle

• 2-wheelers 8 nos

• Total value of assets Rs. 3 crores
  

Awards and credentials

1992: Hassan Fathy International Award for Architecture for the Poor from the Society for the Revival of Planning and Architectural Heritage, Cairo, Egypt, for the construction of the Auroville Visitors' Centre, where cost-effective earth and ferrocement technologies have been applied in a public building.

1995: Outstanding Performance Award for the Best Building Centre through Housing and Urban Development Corporation (HUDCO), New Delhi, from the Ministry of Urban Development and Poverty Alleviation, Government of India. The Auroville Building Centre forms part of a network of 550 building centres set up by HUDCO all over India for the promotion of appropriate building technologies.
1996: Outstanding Performance Award for the Best Building Centre through Housing and Urban Development Corporation (HUDCO), New Delhi, from the Ministry of Urban Development and Poverty Alleviation, Government of India.

1997: The Auroville Centre for Scientific Research was nominated Best NGO in the Renewable Energy Sector in India by the Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency (IREDA), New Delhi, on the occasion of its "Decade of Service" celebrations.

1999: WHO, Geneva, chose CSR as one of the three training centres in the world to conduct international courses for environmental protection through refrigerant management and solar solutions.

Research and development activities

• Renewable energy systems (wind, solar, biomass)

• Appropriate architecture & building technologies (earth, ferrocement)

• Waste water recycling and sanitation.
  
  

Transfer of technologies

• Training programmes, workshops and seminars

• Dissemination of information via seminars, workshops and publications.
  
  

Commercial activities

• Promotion of renewable energy systems

• Production of cost-effective building components

• Manufacture of renewable energy systems

• Architectural designs and consultancy

• Construction projects.

Contact: csr@auroville.org.in