CSRI Nepal launches research grant to secure financial sector AI

The Center for Cybersecurity Research and Innovation Nepal (CSRI Nepal) has launched the 'Global AI Research Grant 2026' to address emerging security challenges within the country's banking, financial, and insurance sectors. The initiative aims to develop robust frameworks to mitigate risks associated with the rapid integration of artificial intelligence in financial operations.

According to CSRI Nepal, the grant seeks to foster a tripartite collaboration between academic institutions, regulatory bodies, and the financial industry. By encouraging indigenous research, the organization hopes to reduce reliance on external tools and position Nepal as a regional hub for secure and ethical AI technology.

Four pillars of research

1. Shaligram Parajuli, president of CSRI Nepal, outlined four primary areas of focus for the research program. These include the development of AI-based threat intelligence systems for real-time monitoring, and the creation of privacy-friendly data governance models, such as federated learning, to ensure compliance with national and international standards.

Furthermore, the grant targets the design of predictive models to combat financial fraud and identity theft. The final pillar focuses on 'Ethical AI,' aiming to ensure that automated decision-making processes, such as credit scoring, remain transparent and accountable.

Industry impact and collaboration

Reporting on the initiative, Setopati and Techpana noted that the project is designed to provide evidence-based insights to regulators like Nepal Rastra Bank. The program also intends to offer practical opportunities for local data scientists, researchers, and cybersecurity experts to work on industry-specific problems.

ICT Frame highlighted that the initiative is expected to transition financial defense strategies from reactive measures to automated, predictive systems. This shift is projected to reduce operational costs while strengthening the security of customer data.

Prof. Dr. Subarna Shakya, the immediate past president of CSRI Nepal, said that the program is a critical step in curbing AI-driven digital fraud. The conceptual framework for the grant was developed by a team including founder president Chiranjibi Adhikari, senior vice president of CARE Nepal Prof. Dr. Gajendra Sharma, and other members of the CSRI Nepal executive committee.

Interested researchers, students, and professionals can submit their proposals through the official CSRI Nepal website. According to ICT Frame, CSRI Nepal expects the program to have a lasting effect on Nepal's corporate and academic sectors, while Techpana said the organization believes it will bring long-term change to how the financial sector operates.