The Institute for Financial Management and Research (IFMR), Chennai, is one of India’s most prestigious business schools and academic institutions. Established in 1970, it is recognized as an Institution of National Importance by the Ministry of Finance. Since its inception, IFMR’s mission has been focused on contributing to growth and development efforts in India with an emphasis on finance and research. IFMR also has several key partnerships with some of the leading academic institutions worldwide and offers a stimulating and world class environment to faculty and students alike. more...

CDF, a non-profit research organization, was formally established in February 2006 with a mission to identify creative, sustainable models for financing development. We focus on providing quality research and clear strategies to heighten the effectiveness of new and ongoing public and private initiatives to provide infrastructure, a key ingredient in sustainable, equitable, inclusive growth. more...

The small enterprise sector plays a significant role in the Indian economy, particularly in terms of employment generation, development of entrepreneurial skills and contribution to export earnings. Yet in developing countries like India, very few small enterprises grow to become medium enterprises and very few medium enterprises grow to become large companies. Access to finance is one of the most important challenges the SME face. Small Enterprise Finance Centre (SEFC) was founded in March 2006 to advance the research and practice of small enterprise financing and development in India. We conduct and facilitate research projects in partnership with banks, financial organizations and corporate companies to test new and innovative financial products. more...

Incorporated in 2005, CMF is a not-for-profit, independent research centre working to fill critical gaps in our knowledge of how to most efficiently deliver microfinance services and how microfinance can best be used as a tool to fight poverty. CMF engages with leading academics and practitioners to conduct rigorous research with the overall mission of maximizing access to and impact of financial services for the poor. The Centre undertakes qualitative and quantitative research in four broad areas: (1) impact evaluation of credit and savings products, (2) microfinance "plus" (how to combine effectively microfinance with other development interventions and non-financial services), (3) insurance and innovative products, and (4) sector-wide and policy issues. more...

Centre for Insurance and Risk Management was set up under IFMR upon the specific initiative of the Social Initiatives Group of ICICI aimed at developing product development capabilities for insurance and other risk mitigating instruments designed to reach out to the poorest of the poor. more...